Free Tile Estimate Template
A complete, line-item tile estimate you can preview below — demo, cement backer board, waterproofing membrane, thinset, tile, grout and sealing, plus setting labor — with a plain-language guide to TCNA shower details, slope-to-drain and the movement joints inspectors and manufacturers require.
| Line item | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Demo — existing tile & backer + haul | 1 lot | $680.00 |
| Cement backer board & fasteners | 168 sf | $420.00 |
| Waterproofing membrane & corners | 112 sf | $560.00 |
| Sloped mortar bed & linear drain set | 1 | $690.00 |
| Tile material (incl. 12% waste) | 188 sf | $1,504.00 |
| Thinset, grout, sealer & trims | 1 lot | $385.00 |
| Setting labor — floor, walls, niche, bench | 42 hrs | $3,150.00 |
| Flood test & final clean | 1 | $180.00 |
| Total | $7,569.00 | |
Payment schedule
How to measure and price tile work
- Measure floor and wall areas separately, add 10–15% waste (more for diagonal, mosaic or large-format cuts).
- Price setting labor by tile size and pattern — small mosaics and large-format both cost more per square foot than a 12x24 field.
- Add fixed lines for the drain assembly, niches, benches, curbs and edge trims; they are labor-heavy and easy to forget.
Tile building-code guide
Tile work is judged on the layers you can't see. The waterproofing, the slope to the drain and the movement joints are what determine whether the job lasts twenty years or leaks in two.
- Paper-faced gypsum board is not permitted behind tile in a shower — use cement board, fiber-cement or a listed foam board
- Cement board is not waterproof: a bonded membrane or a listed vapor-retarder assembly is still required
- Shower walls must be finished with a non-absorbent surface to at least 72" above the drain inlet
- Shower floor must slope 1/4" per foot (min 1/16", max 1/2" per foot) toward the drain
- The pan liner must turn up at least 3in above the finished curb or threshold and be sealed at the corners
- A 24-hour flood test of the pan before tiling is the standard proof — photograph it for your records
- Mortar coverage: minimum 80% for dry areas, 95% for wet areas and all exterior work — check by pulling a tile
- Large-format tile (any side over 15") requires a medium-bed / LHT mortar and a flat substrate within 1/8" in 10 ft
- Offsets on planks longer than 15" should not exceed 33% to avoid lippage
- Soft joints are required at every perimeter, at changes of plane (inside corners), and over existing control joints
- Interior fields: movement joints every 20–25 ft; exterior or sun-exposed: every 8–12 ft
- Grout in a corner will crack — use color-matched silicone there, every time
Code quick reference — Tile
| Item | Requirement | Code reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mortar coverage | 80% dry areas, 95% wet areas | ANSI A108.5 |
| Shower slope | 1/4 in per ft to the drain, plus pre-slope | IRC P2709.1 |
| Waterproofing | Continuous membrane on shower walls and pan | ANSI A118.10 |
| Movement joints | Every 20-25 ft interior, 8-12 ft exterior, and at perimeters | TCNA EJ171 |
| Lippage / flatness | Substrate flat within 1/8in in 10 ft for large format | ANSI A108.02 |
| Shower size | Min 30in x 30in interior dimension | IRC P2708.1 |
Drawings & details
Simplified section and plan views of the details inspectors look at most. Illustrative only — not to scale.
Adjust the values — the drawing below updates in real time.
- 1 · Tile + grout — Layer in the assembly, drawn top to bottom(0.06")
- 2 · Thinset mortar — notch size to tile size(0.25")
- 3 · Waterproof membrane — continuous at corners(0.06")
- 4 · Backer board / sloped mud bed — 1/4in per ft to drain(0.25")
- Tile + grout: 0.06"
- Thinset mortar: 0.25"
- Waterproof membrane: 0.06"
- Backer board / sloped mud bed: 0.25"
- Total assembly: 0.63" (0 10/16")
Adjust the values — the drawing below updates in real time.
- 1 · Sloped surface — 1/4 in per ft to drain(2%)
- 2 · Total fall — Drop from high point to low point(4.81")
- 3 · Run — Wall(20')
- 4 · Slab / gutter thickness — Drain(4.00")
- Slope: 2% (4.81" over 20')
- Slab / gutter thickness: 4.00"
- 1/4 in per ft to drain
Inspection-day checklistShow
- Flood test the pan for 24 hours and photograph the water line.
- Pull a tile in the first row to verify mortar coverage.
- Membrane corners and pipe penetrations sealed per system.
- Movement joints left open and later filled with sealant, not grout.
- Grout cured before sealing; slope verified with water at final.
Code references are based on the 2021 IRC and related model codes. Local amendments, state codes and manufacturer instructions can be stricter — always confirm with your local building department before starting work.
Common tile estimating mistakes
- Bidding a shower without a waterproofing line item, then absorbing the membrane cost.
- Skipping the flood test, which turns a $200 check into a full demo if the pan leaks.
- Not accounting for substrate flatness on large-format tile — the leveling is often bigger than the tiling.
Export a branded, client-ready PDF or send a sign-from-phone link.
Your client reviews and signs the estimate from any device.
TCNA and ANSI guidance for shower waterproofing, slope to drain, mortar coverage and required movement joints.
Tile estimate FAQ
What should a tile estimate include?
A tile estimate should list demo and disposal, backer board, waterproofing membrane, sloped mortar bed and drain, tile with a waste factor, thinset and grout, setting labor, trims, and a final flood test and clean.
How much does tile installation cost per square foot?
Setting labor typically runs $8–$18 per square foot depending on tile size, pattern and whether it is a wet area, with materials on top. Showers cost more per foot than open floors because of the waterproofing and detail work.
What waterproofing does a tile shower require?
A tile shower needs a listed waterproofing membrane (sheet or liquid, ANSI A118.10) over an approved backer, a pan sloped 1/4 inch per foot to the drain, sealed corners, and a 24-hour flood test before tiling.
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