How does stone tile differ in price with ceramic or porcelain tile?
Generally, the cost of installing stone tile is around $2 more per square foot (including sealer) than ceramic or porcelain (both set on a straight/ square grid pattern). Extra patterns, borders, stone bullnosing and accent dots add complexity (and time), so they are priced as add-ons over and above the regular labor prices. It takes a long time for us to produce our detailed estimates, but it is the best way to show where every penny is going, as well as show opportunities to save money if you need to scale back. Sometimes tumbled stone tile installations get really close to the budget numbers as they do not require bullnosing or any other edge treatments, so that may be an alternate course of action to save money if desired. A lot of convincing stone-look rectified (cut-to-size) porcelain tiles are now on the market, so that may be another way to get a similar look, have no maintenance, and come in under budget.
