- Tub surround tile work: $2,000 flat.
- Kitchen backsplash tile work: $1,000 flat, labor.
- Tile floors: $3 per square foot labor, or $2 per square foot labor on jobs of 2,000 square feet or more.
What a shower tile job in Harker Heights actually involves
Most homes here sit on the higher ground east of Killeen, so the soil moves a little more than down in the flats. That means the shower pan and the wall substrate have to be rock-solid before the first tile goes up. We use a cement backer board screwed to the studs, then a bonded waterproof membrane that laps onto the pan liner. The membrane gets sealed at every screw hole, seam, and corner with a liquid flashing that cures to a rubbery skin. If the membrane fails, the tile fails, so we take the time to do it once.
After the waterproofing is dry, we snap layout lines so the full tiles land at eye level and the cuts end up in the corners or under the niche. On a 36-inch shower wall, that usually means starting the first course about 2 inches above the pan so the ceiling course is a full tile instead of a sliver. We also check that the walls are plumb and square; if they are not, we shim the backer board so the tile looks straight even when the framing is not.
Common trouble spots we fix on every Harker Heights shower
- Curbs that leak. A lot of builder showers have curbs built from wood or drywall, then wrapped in tile. Wood rots and drywall swells. We rebuild the curb with a concrete block core, waterproof it the same way as the walls, and tile it so the grout lines match the rest of the shower.
- Niches that collect water. If the niche is framed with wood or drywall, the corners crack and the tile pops off. We frame the niche with cement board, waterproof it, and set the tile so the corners are mitered and the shelf has a slight slope so water runs out.
- Ceiling courses that look like afterthoughts. A sliver of tile at the ceiling makes the whole shower look off. We adjust the layout so the ceiling course is a full tile or at least a half tile, never a sliver.
- Grout that stains. Builder grout is often sanded and unsealed. We use a polymer-modified grout that resists stains and seal it after it cures so it stays clean longer.
How we handle the tile you pick for your Harker Heights shower
We buy tile out of the Temple supply house, so what you pick is what gets set. If you bring your own, we check that it is rated for wet areas and that the boxes are all the same dye lot. Porcelain and ceramic are the most common choices here because they are durable and easy to clean. Marble and natural stone need more sealing and more upkeep, but they look good if you are willing to maintain them. Mosaic sheets go up the same way as big tiles, but they take longer to set because each piece has to be aligned.
We also carry brass and satin edge profiles for outside corners and niches. The profiles protect the tile edges and give the shower a finished look. If you want a niche with a built-in shelf, we can set a piece of marble or porcelain as the shelf so it matches the rest of the shower.
What can go wrong and how we keep it from happening
The biggest risk is water getting behind the tile. If the membrane is not sealed at every screw hole and seam, water will find its way in and rot the substrate. We use a liquid flashing that cures to a rubbery skin, and we lap it onto the pan liner so there are no gaps. We also slope the shower pan so water runs to the drain instead of pooling. If the pan is not sloped correctly, water sits and seeps under the tile.
Another common issue is tile that pops off. That usually happens when the substrate is not secured to the studs or when the thinset is not mixed right. We screw the backer board to the studs every 6 inches and use a polymer-modified thinset that bonds better. We also let the thinset slake for 10 minutes after mixing so it is the right consistency.
Grout that cracks or stains is another problem. We use a polymer-modified grout that is more flexible and resistant to stains. We also seal the grout after it cures so it stays clean longer. If the grout is not sealed, it will absorb water and dirt and look dirty fast.
How to get a straight quote for your Harker Heights shower tile
Call us at (512) 297-7493 and we will come out, look at the room, and measure the actual space. We will talk about what you want, show you samples, and give you a quote on the spot. If you already have tile picked out, bring it with you or meet us at the supply house. If you are not sure what you want, we can help you choose something that fits your budget and your style.
Tub surround tile work is $2,000 flat, but shower tile is quoted after we see the room. Every shower is different, so we do not have a flat rate for it. We will tell you what the job involves, how long it will take, and what it will cost. We do not do same-day work or weekend work, so call early to get on the schedule.