Kitchen and bathroom remodel costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional backsplash installation for your kitchen or bathroom costs $480 to $1,500 on average.
Your material choice affects the total, with ceramic and tin costing less while marble and natural stone require more precision and time.
Budget for removing your old backsplash at $3 to $6 per square foot and replacing any damaged drywall or backer board underneath.
Hiring a local backsplash installation professional ensures precise cuts around outlets and windows and delivers a polished finish.
The average backsplash installation cost is $1,000, with prices ranging from $480 to $1,500, based on 35 square feet of backsplash. You could pay as much as $4,500 for a high-end material like a marble backsplash or as little as $300 for more affordable materials like brick. Most backsplash projects cost $15 to $40 per square foot.
A bright white subway tile or a stamped tin backsplash can brighten your kitchen. Here are the cost factors to include in your backsplash budget.
Graph: See the price range for backsplash installation:
| Square Feet | Average Installation Cost (Including Labor) | Installation Cost Range (Including Labor) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | $420 | $225–$600 |
| 20 | $560 | $280–$800 |
| 25 | $700 | $350–$1,000 |
| 30 | $840 | $450–$1,200 |
| 40 | $1,120 | $600–$1,600 |
| 50 | $1,400 | $750–$2,000 |
Backsplash installation costs an average of $15 to $40 per square foot. Expect to pay more for a pro to cut tiles around your kitchen's outlets, switches, windows, and other odd shapes. The range your project falls in depends mainly on the cost of materials.
The material you choose will also affect your backsplash installation cost. Different materials have varying costs per square foot, ranging from $10 for tin or brick to $150 for marble. The material can also affect labor costs, as cutting marble takes more time and precision than tin or wooden beadboard.
| Backsplash Material | Average Price per Square Foot (Including Labor) |
|---|---|
| Beadboard | $18–$26 |
| Brick | $10–$40 |
| Ceramic | $12–$32 |
| Glass | $18–$42 |
| Granite | $20–$46 |
| Marble | $30–$150 |
| Natural stone | $20–$68 |
| Porcelain | $14–$28 |
| Slate | $18–$42 |
| Stainless steel | $25–$75 |
| Tin | $10–$30 |
| Travertine | $16–$25 |
Don’t forget to consider which type of backsplash material and texture will be easiest to clean. The simplest materials to clean are tile, glass, stainless steel, and ceramic.
The backsplash material you choose will be the most significant cost factor, but you’ll need to budget between $5 and $20 per square foot for backsplash installation labor. The cost is lower if you have a simple, rectangular section to cover with few outlets, windows, and cabinets to cut around.
Most contractors charge by square footage based on the project complexity and material, but some charge per hour for labor. If you want to install a complex design or pattern, like herringbone, a pro will charge around $100 per hour for labor instead of $40 to $60 per hour for simpler patterns and materials. The larger your backsplash, the more you’ll pay for labor.
It also helps to choose a material that’s easier to cut and less likely to break, as this will reduce the time it takes your pro to get the job done. Hiring a local backsplash installation company is your best option for two reasons. First, you’ll get a professional appearance in one of your home's more frequented rooms. Second, a pro can help you decide which material best suits your budget, lifestyle, and decor.
| Labor Rate | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Per square foot | $5–$20 |
| Hourly | $50–$100 |
There are other minor cost factors you might need to consider to get the most accurate price possible for your backsplash project.
If you prefer a mosaic look or a herringbone pattern, contractors will charge closer to $100 per hour or up to $500 per day for the installation. Your backsplash pro will also account for how many obstructions they need to cut around on the wall. For example, if you have multiple outlets or switches, cabinets, or windows that cut into the backsplash, it will take your pro longer to make precise cuts.
You have three options for the material your professional installs on your backsplash:
Individual tiles: This option takes the longest to install because your pro has to set each tile. However, they allow for total customization, so your backsplash ideas and imagination are the only limitations.
Slabs: Like marble or granite, slabs are precut to cover your entire backsplash. Precise measurements are needed for cutting before delivery. However, the labor is less costly since the entire backsplash goes up in a single piece, but the higher material cost means you’ll spend more overall.
Tile sheets: These are prearranged tiles on a mesh backing that allows your pro to install an entire square foot of individual tiles at once. This cuts down on labor costs when working with small tiles. The only downside is that you’re limited to the available designs and patterns.
Backsplash installation costs can vary based on where you’re doing the work. Replacing your backsplash will be more expensive in the kitchen because the countertops are longer than those in bathrooms.
Bathroom backsplashes require cement backer board due to the higher risk of water and humidity getting behind the tiles. Backer board is more expensive than drywall, so bathrooms can be more expensive per square foot. Overall, replacing a kitchen backsplash usually costs more than replacing one in a bathroom.
Professional backsplash removal costs between $3 and $6 per square foot, including disposal. You might have to replace the drywall or backer board underneath the old tile. If you remove the backsplash yourself, you’ll need a chisel and a hammer. You’ll need to patch the drywall and ensure the surface is smooth and dry before installing a new tile backsplash.
Backsplash installation may appear simple on the surface, but several factors can make it more complicated than it seems. Certain tile materials, such as marble and ceramic, are difficult to cut and require specialized tools that professionals will bring to the project. Even slabs require precise measurements to fit properly. Hiring a local backsplash installation pro is the best choice to get the project done right.
Professional backsplash installation experts will bring their specialized knowledge and experience to the project, including:
Your pro will have special tools and equipment to cut backsplash materials.
They will measure properly for tiles and slabs to reduce material waste and ensure there’s enough to complete the project.
An installer can remove the existing backsplash and dispose of the old materials.
Pros can make necessary repairs after the existing backsplash is removed.
They can handle complex backsplash installation patterns that a DIYer may struggle with.
DIY backsplash installation can result in wasted materials and installation errors, but if you want to make the task easier for the pro, here are a few things you can do:
Clear counters and the surrounding area to make space for tools and installation materials
Remove the existing backsplash
Remove outlet covers
Clean the installation area, so the surface is ready for the new backsplash
Pick up the tiles and other materials prior to the installation
Peel-and-stick tile can be a good short-term solution for a pop of color in other places in your home, but avoid using it in your bathrooms. The high mositure level can create issues with the tile sticking and looking its best for a long period of time.
Installing a backsplash can add instant elegance and charm to your kitchen, but it comes at a cost. Luckily, there are ways to save on your kitchen backsplash installation project, including the following:
Pick up the tiles yourself instead of paying shipping fees
Check home improvement stores for sales
Opt for prearranged tile sheets over tiles or slabs
Choose larger tiles that are less time-intensive to install
Learn how to install a peel-and-stick backsplash
Choose a cost-effective backsplash material like tin
Retile a focal point in your kitchen, such as above the stove, instead of the entire kitchen
Install a kitchen backsplash at the same time as another kitchen project—such as countertop installation—to save on labor and trip fees
In some cases, installing a backsplash will increase your home value, but it depends on a few factors. First, if you’re replacing an existing backsplash that’s in decent shape with a new one to suit your tastes, you might not be adding any value, especially if the new backsplash isn’t generally desirable. Second, the backsplash material you choose and its longevity can determine your return on investment.
Certain renovations, like a total kitchen remodel, increase home value hands down. However, a backsplash is a feature that appeals to some and not to others. If you’re selling your house, a new backsplash may raise the value indirectly if it’s a desirable design choice for a particular buyer, while it might have the opposite effect on others.
Discuss materials, such as wallet-friendly porcelain or high-end marble, that fit within your budget.
Know exactly where you want your backsplash so your pro can take precise measurements.
Share your ideas and vision, so the backsplash installer knows the look and feel you want to achieve.
Ask if there are tasks you can complete before the backsplash pro arrives, such as clearing the area.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Jason has helped me with multiple household projects, with the most recent being new door installation. He has always showed up on time and organized and has done an incredible job! Jason is very professional and he's now my go-to for anything around my house that needs to be fixed or...
Huff Garage Rescue, LLCCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC1st Choice Renew is simply the best! We hired them for a complete home renovation, and they transformed our space into something truly amazing. The team attention to detail and commitment to quality were evident throughout the project. They were easy to work with, very responsive, and always...
Save A DimeThis company went above and beyond with their work, chimney sweeps are usually pretty messy, but the clean up was spot on.!! Josh explained every thing that he was doing, and the things that he was checking to make sure the chimney was safe for me and my family. He was very professional,...
Supreme brick & chimneyCustom Paint Jobs LLC turned our outdated bathroom into a modern masterpiece.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCExcellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioIf I could give 10 stars for Kitchen Tune Up, I would. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kitchen Tune Up and the entire team involved in the process of my kitchen project. They went above and beyond as far as service and quality with my cabinets, paint, countertops, and...
It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring SolutionsWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileThey work that 360 did on my kitchen cabinets is nothing short of amazing. I still cannot believe the difference from before and after. Jon and Jeff were both so incredibly professional throughout the whole process and their communications with me were constant and consistent. These guys...
360 Painting ColumbusFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Marble backsplashes are beautiful and costly additions to your kitchen. Our guide lays out marble options and the labor required to install it.
Small kitchen remodels cost $12,750 on average, depending on the materials, size, labor, and more. Read this to calculate your kitchen remodel costs.
This guide covers the cost to tile a kitchen countertop and the main cost factors, including tile type and grade, kitchen size, and whether you hire a pro for the installation.
When installing a kitchen backsplash, you’ll need the right tools, materials, and knowledge. Our guide will show you how to install a kitchen backsplash.
Do you need a backsplash? Technically, no. However, installing one in your kitchen can add beauty and help avoid costly repairs. Here's how and why.
Can you put backsplash on drywall? The answer might surprise you: Yes, you can. Read on to find out more about installing a backsplash on drywall.
