- 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.
Working with older Waco homes and pier and beam floors
Many homes in Waco, especially in the older neighborhoods near Baylor, were built on pier and beam foundations. This means a crawl space underneath with wood joists supporting a plywood subfloor. Tile cannot bend or flex, so the floor structure needs to be stiff enough to prevent cracking in the grout and the tile itself. When we look at a job, we check the joist spacing and the thickness of the plywood first. If the floor moves too much when you walk on it, we can add blocking between joists or screw down an extra layer of plywood. This extra step is common in Waco renovation work and keeps the tile flat and bonded for years.
Walls in these older homes often have plaster and lath behind the existing tile. That surface is not stable enough for a new shower or backsplash. We install cement board or a waterproof membrane to give the tile a solid base. The goal is a surface that does not flex or absorb moisture. On a typical Waco renovation, we plan for the unexpected. We measure the room, note any out of square corners, and adjust the layout so the tile lines up straight. The same person who measures the room sets the tile, so nothing gets lost in translation.
How we schedule tile work from Killeen to Waco
We drive up from Killeen for jobs in Waco. The route is straight up I-35 into McLennan County. When you call our office at (512) 297-7493, we set a time to come look at the room and take your measurements. The person you talk to on the phone is the same person who shows up. We do not send a salesperson who passes the job off to a different crew. This way the quote you get is based on what we actually see. For any work other than a tub surround, we give a straight quote after we look at the space.
- We measure the actual room, check the subfloor and wall condition, and note any special cuts around pipes or windows.
- You pick the tile yourself, either from a supply house in Temple or from your own source, and we buy it from that supplier.
- We set the tile, apply grout, seal the surface, and clean up all debris before we leave the job site.
- Every installation carries a written one year limited labor warranty from the date the work is done.
What a tub surround tile job involves in Waco
For a tub surround in a Waco home, we start by tearing out the old wall tile or wallboard. Then we install a waterproof backing that runs from the tub flange up to the shower head height. The labor for a standard tub surround is $2,000 flat. That price covers our work and basic setting materials like thinset and grout. Tile is not included in that number you buy it separately. We set zellige, marble, porcelain, ceramic, terrazzo, mosaic, and any edge profiles you want in brass or satin finish. On older Waco homes with plaster walls, we may need to patch or level the area behind the new tile to get the surface flat.
We slope the bottom row of tile toward the tub so water runs into the basin and does not sit behind the tile. The waterproofing membrane extends past the tub flange to create a sealed joint. We also set the tile so the grout lines line up with the tub edge for a clean look. The job usually takes two to four days, depending on the size of the surround and the complexity of the tile pattern. When we finish, the area is clean and ready for use. For any other kind of tile work in Waco, call us for a straight quote after we look at the room.
Selecting tile and materials for a Waco renovation
The tile you choose for a Waco home should match the age and style of the house. For early and mid century homes, classic square ceramic or subway tile fits the period. For a modern update, large format porcelain or marble makes the room feel bigger. We also work with zellige for a handmade look and terrazzo for a smooth, speckled surface. All tile is bought out of the Temple supply house, so what you pick in the showroom is exactly what gets set. You can bring your own tile as well, as long as it meets the minimum quality standards for adhesive and backing.
Edge profiles are part of the installation. We carry brass and satin finished profiles that give a sharp line where tile meets drywall. On floors, we install thresholds, stair nosing, and reducer strips to match the tile height to the existing flooring. We also handle vinyl plank flooring and the transitions that go with it. The same crew that sets tile does the flooring work, so one team takes care of the whole room. We do not subcontract any part of the job. When we quote a tile floor after looking at the room, the price covers labor and basic materials only. Tile and special trim are separate.
Getting the subfloor right for tile in Waco
When we install tile on a pier and beam floor in Waco, the subfloor is the first thing we address. We check the deflection by walking across the room and feeling for movement. The floor should not bounce more than a fraction of an inch per foot. If it does, we add blocking between the floor joists or screw down a layer of plywood. This makes the base stiff enough that the tile stays bonded and the grout does not crack. We use a modified thinset that sticks well to plywood and cement board. On a concrete slab floor, which is less common in older Waco homes, we check for cracks and level any low spots.
The layout starts by finding the center of the room and snapping chalk lines. We cut tile to fit around door frames, corners, and floor registers. For large rooms, we plan the cuts to use the full tile where it shows most. We grout with a color that matches or contrasts with the tile, then seal the grout after it cures. The job site is cleaned when we leave, with all tile scraps and dust removed. Most floor jobs in Waco take a few days, but the time depends on the room size and the condition of the subfloor. Call us for a direct quote after we see the space.