Retiling is one of the most common ways to update a bathroom without a full remodel. New tile on the floor, walls, or shower can make a dated bathroom feel new, while keeping the layout, plumbing, and often the vanity and toilet in place.
Here is what retiling a bathroom costs in Northern Virginia, broken down by area, based on 28 tile projects we have completed across Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Arlington.
Tile renovation cost by area
| Area | Typical range in our recent projects |
|---|---|
| Bathroom floor only (40 to 60 sq. ft.) | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| Tub surround (three walls) | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| Walk-in shower walls and floor | $7,000 – $12,000 |
| Floors, shower, and walls together | $12,000 – $22,000 |
Across our last 10 full retiling projects in Fairfax County, the average tile renovation cost was $16,800 for floors, shower, and one accent wall.
The cost to redo a shower with tile
Redoing a shower is the most involved part of retiling, because the tile is only the surface. Behind it, the shower needs a solid backer board and a continuous waterproof membrane, and the shower floor needs a properly sloped pan. When we retile a shower, we take it down to the studs and rebuild all of those layers.
The cost to redo a shower with tile is in the table above: the tub surround and walk-in shower rows. Larger showers, built-in shelves or benches, and a new glass door all add to the price.
Tile is only as good as what is behind it. A beautiful shower with poor waterproofing will leak, and the repair means tearing it all out again.
For more on how we build showers, see our shower remodeling page.
What drives the cost of retiling
Removing the old tile
Older homes in Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church often have tile set in a thick mortar bed. It is solid but slow and heavy to remove, so it adds to the cost compared with newer tile.
Repairs underneath
Once old tile comes off, we sometimes find soft subfloor, water-damaged studs, or old leaks. In our recent projects, about 1 in 5 retiling jobs needed some repair before new tile went down. Our guide on how to replace a floor in a bathroom covers what that involves.
Tile size and layout
Large-format tile covers ground quickly with fewer grout lines. Small mosaics, herringbone, and other patterns take much longer to lay, and labor is the largest part of any tile job.
Tile material
Porcelain and ceramic are the most common choices. Natural stone looks beautiful but costs more to buy and install, and it needs regular sealing. Our guide to the cost to remodel a bathroom’s flooring compares materials in detail.
Where to spend and where to save
If you are working within a budget, here is what we tell our clients:
- Spend on the shower. It gets wet every day, so invest in proper waterproofing and durable porcelain.
- Spend on the floor if it is small. A powder room floor needs so little tile that a premium choice barely changes the total.
- Save on large wall areas. A simple, affordable tile on most walls, with one accent area, often looks better than an expensive tile everywhere.
Get a price for your retiling project
See our flooring and walls page for what we handle, or contact us for a free at-home consultation. We will measure your bathroom, bring samples, and give you a written price.