I pay a handyman in the LA area $25/hour to install tiles. It took him about 12 hours to remove the old tiles and install our new basketweave tile (harder to install than larger tiles) in a small guest bathroom. He still needs to grout and seal, but that's probably another 2-3 hours. $6,350 sounds really high.

I can't advise strongly enough against hiring someone to tile by the hour. More times than not, it's someone doing it as a sideline, and doesn't know what to charge for the work, and it doesn't usually turn out well. As for the OP, your best bet is to get one or two other quotes. You'll get a much more accurate idea of what a fair price is. But off hand, I'd agree with pipdog that the 6300.00 figure is way high, from what you've told us.

We are in no. Cal. I recently had my master bathroom tiled (approx 32sq feet of floor tile and a 100 sq foot shower). The shower and floor were 12x12 porcelain tile. The shower floor was tiled with 2x2 mosaic. We did our own demo and bought the tiles separately. We got 2 quotes: One was for $4300 and one was for $3500.

Does that include building and tiling a 6" curb for the shower, installing a new shower valve and fixtures (and moving pipes since we changed the type of shower to a hand held), installing a safety bar, and prepping the shower floor since we used to have a shower pan and the tile guy built a sloped, tiled floor (although he used some kind of ready made pan under it), and a 12x18" cubby for stuff? We paid for the valve and fixtures. The walls were also completely demo'd (used to be tile over sheetrock or green board). They did their magic with wire and mud etc. And they also tiled the 4" baseboard on the walls around the floor. Our tile was all straigh set (with a band of mosaic around the shower at eye level).

Just curious...we are happy with the job they did...we wanted a something which will last 40 years since we will retire in this house. But I am curious to know if we over paid.

Thanks for all your inputs. I will be getting a few more estimates this week. I did call the company that gave me the estimate for $6350 and told them I won't be going with them as the price is too high. He came back and said he'll do it for $5600, which would include the hotmop. I still declined.
itsallaboutthefood- thanks for your estimates... based on yours, I think the price of $3800 is around the right price.

Bill - wow! What a steal of a price... where are you located? Like others have stated, I wish I can fly you in, out you in a hotel and have you do my tilework! It would still be cheaper!

Just got a quote for $4500. This would include floating the floors and walls, including the shower pan (with some plastic membrane or something...poly...) Just a bit more info, my shower stall will be 3'X 4' with a bench of 16" (part of the deck that is 20" high). Tub is a 66" drop-in with some tile work along the top and 8'X 20" of tile along the side. Any thoughts on this? Around the right price to pay for my area?

It WOULD include the curb, but not the plumbing. I'd even include a niche at that price.

He came back and said he'll do it for $5600, which would include the hotmop. I still declined.

Good move. If he's going to drop his price that much, AND include the hot mopping, he's desperate for the work. There's probably a good reason for that.

Wow...course if we had flown you out to do it...it would have cost more! :-)

I'm in Orange County and just paid $2000 to tile a 60"x30" tub/shower enclosure. We used 3"x6" subway tiles and had a few rows of mosaic detail tiles and 2 niches.

We did all demo and paid for the tile, grout, and kerdi.

Labor, Durock, and thinset only..... 800.00

Bill,
Does the average tile person install the Durock, or does the homeowner / contractor do that ?
Thanks,
Salbwil

Sally-- it's different for each installer. As you know, I prefer to install my own. That way, I know it's in properly, with no overlaps at the outside corners, and no huge gaps at the inside corners, as well as knowing it's been screwed in properly (i.e.-- proper spacing of screws, and knowing ALL screws hit a stud)

juddgirl2, would you mind sending me the contact info for your Orange County tiler? I'm also in Orange County and am really looking for one. Thanks!

juddgirl2 and socalss... looking for one too; please send me contact info