How Much Does Installing Backsplash in Your Kitchen Cost?

A bright white subway tile or a stamped tin backsplash can shave years off the age of your kitchen and punch up the wow factor. But the costs can range widely based on the look you’re going for and how much backsplash tile you’ll need to achieve it. The average cost to install backsplash is $600 to $1,300, but opting for more expensive materials like marble will increase the cost, while materials like tin are more budget-friendly.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Backsplash per Square Foot?

Backsplash costs can vary, mainly based on the type of backsplash material and the amount of backsplash you need. The ability to stand up to kitchen wear and tear is another important consideration when evaluating materials. "After evaluating your budget, another big consideration is how easy it will be to keep the backsplash clean,” said Andy Kilborn, Expert Review Board Member and Owner of Andy’s Handyman Service. “ Some complex textures look great but are tough to clean after a spill."

If you are budgeting for the cost of a kitchen remodel, backsplash can make a big impact for a relatively low cost compared to other renovations. Backsplash installation costs an average of $15 to $40 per square foot. For professional installation, the average total cost is about $1,000.

Backsplash Installation Cost Breakdown

The cost to install a backsplash depends on a number of factors, from the size of the project to the type of tile to the complexity of the design.

Tile

The average cost of backsplash is anywhere from $10 to $95 per square foot. More affordable options include ceramic tile, tin, or brick. More expensive backsplash options include glass or marble.

Design

If you prefer a mosaic look or another complex tile layout, contractors may charge closer to $100 an hour or up to $500 a day to install the backsplash.

Hazards

It’s hard to operate the blender, coffee maker, and stand mixer without outlets. But when completing a DIY project like installing backsplash, all those handy electrical outlets can become hazards that the pros need to spend extra time working around and cutting tiles to accommodate. If you have a lot of outlets in the kitchen, you might be quoted a higher labor cost.

Labor

Contractor rates will range, but the average hourly rate is $40 to $60. There could be additional charges to remove old backsplash. You might pay $3 to $6 per square foot for the safe removal of old backsplash plus a debris disposal fee.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Different Types of Backsplash?

One of the biggest factors in backsplash installation cost is the type of material. Tile is the most popular, but there are attractive options across all price ranges.

Tile

Tile is a popular backsplash option that averages around $25 per square foot for ceramic. The price can go up if you have a complicated kitchen layout with a lot of windows or outlets to work around. If you are requesting that the tile is arranged in a complex pattern, the price will also increase.

Marble

Marble offers a timeless, luxe look to any kitchen. The cost to install a marble backsplash is anywhere from $10 to $95 per square foot, plus an additional $10 to $20 per square foot for labor.

Tin

The modern farmhouse trend is here to stay, and with it comes more affordable but still aesthetically pleasing design options. Tin backsplash is an easy-to-clean option that is also less expensive than most other backsplash materials at $10 to $30 per square foot (including installation).

Brick

Brick backsplash can add an industrial touch and warm feel to your kitchen. With installation, you can expect to spend an average of $10 to $40 per square foot for brick backsplash.

Glass

Glass tiles offer a lot of opportunities for versatility and customization compared to some other backsplash materials. The average cost of glass backsplash installation is $30 per square foot.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is easy to clean and maintain, but it is a more expensive option at about $20 per square foot.

Ceramic

For a durable backsplash that fits well into tight or awkward corners, ceramic will do the trick. It’s also a lower-cost option at $2 per square foot, but it does require professional installation.

Porcelain

Like ceramic, porcelain is a durable backsplash, but it comes at a higher price typically ranging from $3 to $6 per square foot.

What Type of Backsplash Can I Get on My Budget?

Photo: Andriy Blokhin / Adobe Stock

If you’re deciding between different types of backsplash, the biggest factor to making a choice might just be budget. Luckily, there are great backsplash options for every price range. You might also want to consider a stacked material—like glass, stone, or metal tiles—because they don’t require the additional step and mess of grouting, says Kilborn.

The below prices are estimates for 30 square feet of backsplash, the amount needed for the average kitchen.

Less than $500

If you find tin around $10 to $20 per square foot, installation can actually come in well below the $500 range. Tin’s major perk is that it is easy to keep clean, so those smoothie explosions are easy to wipe up and unlikely to leave stains. Tin is less versatile in style options, though, so it won’t aesthetically fit into the look of every kitchen. Some tile and brick options can also come in around $500.

$500 to $750

You’ll find many options in this range. In fact, the average tile backsplash installation cost is $590. Brick that is $25 or less per square foot is also an option. Tile is easy to maintain, but brick is not as easy to keep clean. 

$750 to $1,000

For $1,000, you can explore more expensive tile and brick options along with glass, as it averages at $30 per square foot. Glass is appealing if you are hoping for a custom look because sheets of glass can be painted just about any color to match your kitchen.

$1,000 to $1,500

This range is available to some of the most expensive tile, glass, and brick options as well as low- to mid-range costs of marble. Marble can vary in price based on the seller, but any marble at $50 or less per square foot will fit this budget.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Kitchen Backsplash Yourself?

Installing a kitchen backsplash is easy to DIY if you opt for simple materials, like tile or tin, and your kitchen layout is straightforward. It’s also a great way to save on kitchen remodel costs. But if you have a lot of windows or electrical outlets that interfere with the backsplash area, it’s best to hire a professional. This job can become dangerous when working around outlets or other obstacles. Removing existing backsplash also requires more care to avoid any damage to your kitchen walls. But if you have a simple job on your hands, here’s what to expect for DIY backsplash installation cost.

Tools and Materials

The major perk of hiring a professional is that they will already have all the tools required to get the job done. If you decide to DIY, you’ll need to purchase or rent several tools and materials to do this project. After purchasing a trowel, rubber float, cement backer board, grout, caulk, and spacers, you can expect to spend about $300 on this DIY project.

You’ll also need tiles, which will vary in cost. You can save time, money, and the hassle of messy grout by opting for peel-and-stick backsplash tiles, which are made for easy DIY installation. Peel-and-stick backsplash can start at $4 per square foot, with higher quality tiles or more complex designs reaching $30 per square foot. This option will not be as durable or long-lasting as traditional backsplash tiles or slabs, though.

Labor

Hiring a kitchen remodeling professional or tile installer is a great option to consider for finishing your backsplash project. A pro can safely and quickly get the job done—it may take a couple days to install backsplash. Highly skilled DIYers can expect to spend two or four days installing backsplash.