Tile Setting Production Rates

Philly Dude

What are some reliable square foot per hour rates for setting ceramic tiles ?

I know what I can do, but since I don't do it everyday I'm curious to see if I am way slow or if I am not far behind someone who tiles everyday.

Splinter

Are you talking commercial work? You can really haul ass in a wide open space, but most residential stuff is considerably slower. Besides, every resi project is so different that you can't compare setting times. I tiled a tub surround with 2 shelf niche and "rock" listello in one day just last week. It took me two days to tile a tub surround this week because of the diamond pattern on the upper half of the surround.

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cleveman

Maybe get some guys from the brick laying competition to try this out.

I certainly don't lay tile everyday and when I do it, I don't try to set any records.

It all depends on if you have a helper. Someone has to make the cuts, mix the mortar, supply tile, and clean up. I would think it would also depend on the surface and atmosphere/climate. If you are on Densshield vs. concrete or durock and it is cool versus hot. If the conditions are right, you can put down a lot of mortar and go to town.

I don't care to do more than 2 buckets of mortar in the am and 2 in the pm. I think this would work out to about 280 square feet of tile.

Sometimes I like to start late and finish early, then I'll just do one bucket in the am and one in the pm.

Every time you stand up to make a cut it takes a lot of time. If you have a good helper, you won't ever have to turn around to hand them something or take something from them. But you have to get up sometimes to take a stretch or you'll never be able to get up.

wellbuilthome

I don't like to tile so most any thing will be finished in a day. we do a bath room in a day 1 guy setting 1 guy cutting walls and floor. 3x5 tub with 4' of tile around the room 5x6 floor . Marble or granite would be a longggg day but i would have a extra guy grinding & polishing the edges and making bull nose . We laid about 700 feet of 13x13 with a 61/2"x6 61/2" pin wheel pattern in three rooms and a hall way in 1 day . (3 guys ) My knee has been acting up i never know if i can walk the next day .

b2dap

you can significantly cut time with the addition of automatic cleaning tools. After you grout, cleaning sponges and other tools can be a large portion of your time. An electric grout sponge can be a good investment; obviously this is only a viable option if you're doing a lot of tile work!

RenConDenver

OK Philly Dude, to answer your question I charge around 8 bucks sf for ceramic with durock underlayment. I've seen guys charge 2.50 for the same thing, sorry but I'm not going to break my back for that little of money. I've also heard of 12.00 sf for ceramic. Hope this helps

TBFGhost

I don't think he was looking for prices, I think it was looking for how much you can lay in an hour.

willworkforbeer

I did a 3000 sq ft slate job that had a random 3 size pattern, 12" x12", 12 x 24, and 24 by 24. By myself mixing mud and working on a very uneven slab (had to be perfect too) I averaged 80 sq ft a day, that with no cuts, just flat out laying slate.

TBFGhost

but talking price....I was talking to a GC today and he said $4 a square foot for basic cermaic tile is the going rate. We are talking commercial bathrooms with a concrete floor, so it is just motor and tile....then again I really don't know, I am just a finish carpenter...

willworkforbeer

Well theres your problem right there, its mortar and tile, hope that helps


By myself mixing my mortar I have topped out at 85 sq ft a day laying 3 different (12 by 12, 12 x 24, 24 x 24) sizes of slate in a random pattern (doesnt include grouting), not slop work though

mhillc

I don't know what part of jersey your from but i use two differant tile guys and they both charge between 7 and 9 dollars sqft .

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ChrWright

Commercial and residential are completely different beasts.

I agree that two projects with the same square footage can be way different in the labor it takes to tile them--based on material, format, pattern, number of cuts, etc.

My starting point for tile labor is $10-$15/ft based on the material and pattern--then adjust up for complicated layouts, outside corners, niches, ceilings, etc.

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rrono

in one working day you need to lay 150 - 220 sf, setter and helper

nashbee

I need a job I am tile setter and do mason work as well so you can call on me to help you.at nashcoffie@yahoo.com