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While all these things are individually inexpensive, they’re ongoing costs you need to be aware of, even if minimal. Plus, the grout will periodically need cleaning, whitening, or replacing, as will any seals. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are fairly low maintenance to upkeep, but they do need regular cleaning. Even if they are, it's likely the colors won't be an exact match, so having some backup tiles is smart. Remember that the tiles you choose now may not still be in production in 10 years. Plus, if you keep your leftovers, you can have that one replaced from your existing stock when a tile gets cracked or damaged. This ensures you have enough to account for any damages during installation. Make sure you order 10% to 15% more tiles than you think you need. If the area you're tiling has a complex layout, has extensive damage to the base layer, or is in some other way more challenging, your labor cost for installing tiles will climb rapidly, so remember to leave some wiggle room in your budget.
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When you receive a quote from a contractor, ask for an itemized estimate and whether it includes the price of removing tiles and installing new ones. You may pay as little as $3 per square foot or as much as $7 per square foot. Ripping out old tiles and repairing any damage to the subsurface typically costs $5 per square foot. If you're looking to remodel your bathroom or upgrade your kitchen, you'll likely need to replace old tiles rather than just add new ones. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more.
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