It does not matter what kind of the labor it is the process is the same.

Figure out what kind of income that you are aiming for.

From that figure out how many hours you will be PRODUCTIVELY working. Travel time, getting supplies, doing estimates, etc, etc or the typical non-prodcutive times. And add in time for vacation and holidays.

That will get you a basic SALARY, but that is not what you will charge.

To that you need to add in all of your overhead expenses. Insurance, operating your truck, advertising, taxes, tools, etc, etc.

Then you need to add in profit.

These kind of questions are discussed all the time at Journal of Light Construction (www.jlconline.com) and Fine Home Building (www.finehomebuilding.com) forum.

Also look at the John Bridge Tile forum.

It changes around the country. Everything that other guy said is true. But in the end you'll come up with a per foot price for your area. How much do you make in a day there? Don't forget to add for taxes and all that other fun business stuff. How much will you lay in a day? The easiest way would be to ask other installers in your area what they charge. How much do company's pay by the foot there? If they tell you $3.00 per foot; you can safely assume they're charging the customer at least $4-$5. Also you have to look at how much prep and fun stuff like that you'll have to do. But the one thing they won't tell you is you have to guess if that customer will be a pain in the rear and make sure you charge extra. Will you have to bring in a cleaning lady because your customer is a neat freak? Will they want to talk to you for 8 hours before your tools even leave the truck? Ask other installers there. It's the only way to know what you can get away with for your area and still get work.

Royce,

I appreciate your input, it helped me a lot. I am in a tough business being the only female doing this work out here and being kind of new at it. These tile clients were once my manincure clients years ago! The women love me, but the husbands are skeptical I can do such work.

Anyway, I finished the backsplash in the kitchen with hand made tiles (sizes and thickness varied to 1/8th of an inch) in a subway pattern and it came out beautifully. They have a bath and basement as well. I have been tiling for a couple years under a company that did all my bid for me and paid me a set rate. This was my first solo job and had no clue what the going rates should be.

Thanks again,

Be well,

Leslie