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A new tile floor can make a huge impact on a space. Tile is clean and durable, and it can offer a texture that’s different from the material used in the rest of the home. However, it can be difficult to install correctly, so homeowners might want to consider the best tile floor installation services to hire for the job. And since there are so many available, narrowing it down to just a few companies can be difficult.
This guide should help. It points out some of the most important factors to consider when looking for one of these services and also highlights some of the best tile installation companies.
- BEST OVERALL: Empire Today
- RUNNER-UP: LL Flooring
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: National Floors Direct
- ALSO CONSIDER: The Home Depot
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Tile Floor Installation Services
There is more to finding the right tile installation company than typing “tile installers near me” in a Google search bar. The following are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind during the search.
Service Area
The first thing shoppers will want to consider when looking for a tile installer is the company’s service area. Tile installers usually work out of a shop, and they’ll only travel so far from that shop for a tile job. That may be 50, 60, or 70 miles, but they’re unlikely to travel farther unless it’s a very big project.
When it comes to larger companies with a nationwide presence, it’s often possible to find a branch that will cover the shopper’s address. These are typically franchise professionals or partners who work with the larger company to expand its reach.
Estimate Scheduling
Before a tile project can really get moving, a representative from the company usually needs to check out the property. This person will take measurements, discuss options, and take note of any challenges that might factor into the price of the project. After this initial meeting, customers will receive an estimate and can decide if they want to move forward with the project.
Many times, shoppers can schedule their estimate appointments online. They’re able to pick a time and date that works for them and reschedule if necessary. When that’s not the case, they’ll have to call and schedule over the phone.
In-Home Shopping Option
Many companies now offer an in-home shopping service. A company rep will arrive at the house with a variety of material samples and photos. Customers can then compare the products and prices and will be able to get an idea of what their chosen tile option will look like in their home. And this is all without having to leave their home in the first place.
It’s worth noting that some companies also have digital tools that shoppers can use to see how a floor will look in their space. They simply use the camera on their phone to take a picture of their space to then get a virtual view of their chosen product in their home
Pricing and Financing
Pricing is an important consideration to keep in mind when shopping for a tile flooring installer. After all, not only do shoppers need to find a product that fits their budget, but they also need to be able to afford the installation process.
Some companies offer financing options. Rather than paying up front for a new tile floor, customers can take advantage of financing, allowing them to pay for their project over several months. However, customers will want to read the fine print to make sure they avoid an extremely high interest rate. If the rate is too high, customers may want to consider other financing options.
Warranty
Tile flooring company shoppers will want to consider warranties as well. After all, things happen, such as grout cracking or tiles popping loose, and a customer shouldn’t have to pay for imperfections in the materials or the installation process.
Most companies offer warranties on the installation for a year or two. Should something go wrong with the floor or if the customer notices an issue, they can call the installation company and have them return to the site to fix it. Manufacturer warranties are similar, but they only cover issues with the product itself, not the installation.
Customer Support
Great customer service matters. If there is an issue with the installation, scheduling, or another aspect of the project, it’s important that the customer be able to get a hold of someone. This can be over the phone or through email, but folks spending a lot of money on tile floors deserve to speak with a customer service rep when they have a question.
Most customer support is handled online these days, which often makes shoppers feel more comfortable. For example, if there are issues with the flooring, they’ll be able to upload photos, making it more convenient than waiting for a rep to visit in person.
Our Top Picks
We put together the following list of our top tile flooring companies to help simplify the search. Shoppers can still keep the primary considerations in mind when comparing these companies to ensure one or more is a good fit for their project.
Best Overall
Empire Today
- Estimate scheduling: Online, phone
- In-home shopping: Yes
- Next-day installation: For in-stock flooring
- Warranty: 1-year installation warranty
Pros
- Wide selection of porcelain, ceramic, and luxury vinyl tile
- Transparent, all-inclusive price estimate
- Next-day installation available
- Service plan coverage for incident- or accident-related damages
Cons
- Limited pricing information available online
Why It Made the Cut: Empire Today is a frontrunner in the flooring world for its next-day installation, transparent pricing, and service plans that protect floors against incidents and accidents. Shoppers looking for a straightforward tile installation company will want to consider Empire Today. This company has over 70 locations across the country, allowing many homeowners to find a local tile solution. And with a wide selection of porcelain, ceramic, and luxury vinyl tile, Empire’s offerings are sure to include products that fit most budgets and tastes. Empire Today customers can book estimate appointments online or over the phone, and Empire offers in-home shopping. In-home shopping is the only way customers can obtain more detailed pricing information. After the appointment, customers receive a transparent estimate that includes services like moving furniture, disposing of old floors, installing thresholds, and hauling away any mess. If the customer’s chosen product is in stock, Empire Today may even offer next-day installation. Empire Today offers a service plan that protects the floor against incidents and accidents—something that could be particularly attractive for homes with children or pets.
Runner-Up
LL Flooring
- Estimate scheduling: Online, phone
- In-home shopping: No
- Next-day installation: Not available
- Warranty: 1-year installation warranty
Pros
- Unique wood- and stone-look tile options
- Augmented reality visualizer tool
- Free samples available online and in store
Cons
- Restrictive in-home shopping
Why It Made the Cut: Between its augmented reality visualizer and free samples, LL Flooring allows users to get an idea about what their new floor will look like in their space before installation even begins. Tile is a commitment, and knowing which product to install in a space can be one doozy of a decision. LL Flooring helps simplify the process by giving prospective customers access to its augmented reality tool, allowing users to see what different flooring materials will look like in their homes. Once they know whether or not LL Flooring has an option for their home, they can schedule an estimate online or over the phone with one of over 400 locations in 47 states. Although there isn’t a traditional in-home shopping experience available, customers can order free samples to get a feel for their top choices. These can include traditional options like porcelain and ceramic tiles, but LL Flooring has many unique wood- and stone-look tile options as well.
Best Bang for the Buck
National Floors Direct
- Estimate scheduling: Online, phone
- In-home shopping: Yes
- Next-day installation: At select locations
- Warranty: Not specified
Pros
- Installation cost guaranteed to be 15 percent lower than competitors’ costs
- $150 discount for booking installation service online
- No additional charges for furniture moving or premium underlayment
Cons
- Next-day flooring installation restricted to the northeastern U.S.
- No installation warranty information readily available
- Somewhat limited tile size options
Why It Made the Cut: With booking discounts and labor rates guaranteed to beat competitors, National Floors Direct offers plenty of value. Folks looking to stretch their flooring budget as far as it can go may want to consider National Floors Direct. This flooring installation company offers its customers a labor guarantee that promises to be 15 percent lower than competitors’ pricing, and that includes furniture moving and premium underlayment for free. Also, National Floors Direct offers a $150 discount for those who book online. National Floors Direct offers in-home shopping, allowing customers to choose their floors without leaving the home. If a customer finds something that catches their eye, there may be next-day installation available (primarily in the Northeast). While warranty information and tile sizes are relatively limited, the money customers could potentially save may offset these inconveniences.
Also Consider
The Home Depot
- Estimate scheduling: Online
- In-home shopping: No
- Next-day installation: Not available
- Warranty: Lifetime labor warranty
Pros
- Over 2,300 locations nationwide
- Wide selection of ceramic, glass, stone, wood-look, and large-format tile
Cons
- Lifetime labor warranty
- $50 fee for in-home measurements
- No in-home shopping option
Why It Made the Cut: The Home Depot’s easy booking, over 2,300 locations, and wide selection make it worth considering for almost any tile-floor shopper. When it comes to selection, The Home Depot is certainly worth some thought. This major retailer has over 2,300 locations nationwide, allowing it to carry a wide range of tile products, from ceramic and porcelain to real stone like marble and granite, and sizes range from small mosaics to tiles up to 36 inches long. The Home Depot offers a limited labor warranty on its installations. There isn’t an in-home shopping option, but customers can purchase samples for $2 to $3 each. Estimate appointments cost $50, but that fee will go toward the cost of the project if the customer does decide to move forward with The Home Depot’s tile installation services. S
Our Verdict
Based on its next-day installation, transparent pricing, and service plans, Empire Today takes our top spot for the best overall tile flooring installer. However, folks looking to save a little money on their tile floors will want to consider National Floors Direct, as the company guarantees to beat competitors’ labor rates by 15 percent.
How We Chose the Best Tile Floor Installation Services
Creating a list of the best tile floor installation services is hard work. We wanted to ensure that we were suggesting only top-notch contractors that can handle the job and make sure their customers are satisfied. We had to draw on our experience with tile flooring, both as DIYers and installers, to come up with the most important factors to consider.
Once we knew what to look for, we performed extensive research to find companies that could meet our criteria. We compared product availability, pricing, in-home consultations, and other factors to ensure that each company offered enough value. Those that passed our tests were given awards based on their strengths.
Before You Hire One of the Best Tile Floor Installation Services
Customers will have some considerations when weighing their tile flooring options. For one, customers who are handy may be able to handle the project themselves. As long as they have some decent DIY skills, extra time, and don’t mind working on the floor (knee pads are a must), they can probably handle the job themselves. If not, it’s best to hire out the project.
There are also flooring options beyond traditional ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile. Some laminate and vinyl flooring is made to mimic tile, allowing users to install a less-expensive option that’s easier to work with while still accomplishing the same look. These floors are durable as well, though maybe not as durable as some tile flooring types.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Tile Floor Installation Services
Tile installation costs between $890 and $3,029, with a national average around $1,959. However, there are many factors that go into determining the price. The labor cost to install floor tile comes out to between $3 to $15 per square foot or $60 to $120 per hour. Installing ceramic floor tile can cost between $1.25 and $100 per square foot, while materials like stone can cost between $5 and $12 per square foot.
Other factors that could impact pricing might be the condition of the subfloor or whether additional materials are necessary. If the subfloor isn’t suitable for tile or needs repair, this process alone can cost $40 to $65 per square foot. Also, if the floor requires additional materials such as thresholds, drains, or other items, the price is sure to climb.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Tile Floor Installation Services
A poor tile installation job will always manifest as cracks, popped tiles, or jagged edges. With the best tile floor installation services, this won’t be a problem. These pros know what will work and what won’t, and if there is an issue, the warranty will cover it.
Also, tile floor installers are used to laying tile flooring all day, while the average DIYer is not. This is hard work that can take a long time for a DIYer with sore knees and an aching back, and it often makes the most sense to hire the job out.
Finally, many of the best tile floor installation companies will come to the shopper’s home for a consultation. They’ll bring sample tiles or even offer the customer a look at their new floors through an augmented reality tool.
- An experienced tile company knows how to make sure a tile floor stays put and lasts, and it offers warranties for issues that arise.
- Tiling is hard work, and pros are used to the heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, and other wear and tear the project puts on their bodies, while most DIYers are not.
- The best tiling companies sometimes offer in-home shopping or augmented reality tools to make the decision-making process easier.
FAQs
That’s a lot of information on the best tile flooring installation companies, but there might still be some questions to address. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic, so be sure to look for an answer below.
Q. Is it better to install file flooring under kitchen cabinets or not?
In most cases, it’s better to install tile flooring under kitchen cabinets. However, if this means disturbing heavy countertops or potentially creating plumbing issues, installing tiles up to the cabinets is fine as well.
Q. What is the best way to lay floor tiles?
There are many ways to lay floor tiles, including straight grid, running bond, or even diagonal. The best way will depend on the room, the tiles chosen, and the homeowner’s taste.
Q. How much should I pay for floor tile installation?
Tile installation costs between $890 and $3,029, with an average price landing around $1,959. For simple rooms and products, expect to spend on the lower end. For high-end products and challenging layouts, expect to pay more toward the higher end.
Q. How much does it cost to tile a 12-foot by 12-foot space?
This depends on many factors, including the cost of the tile, the condition of the subfloor, and the products required for that particular tile. In general, homeowners can expect to pay between $2,160 and $2,880 to tile a 12-foot by 12-foot space.
Q. How long does tile floor installation take?
Installing tiles usually takes between 1 and 3 days. It mostly depends on the size of the room and how long it takes for the mortar and grout to set.
Q. How do I save money on tile floor installation?
The best way to save money on installing bathroom floor tiles is to perform any required demolition yourself. Also, choosing less-expensive tile will save money on labor, as these tiles can be easier to apply or require simpler bonding agents than high-end tiles.