Solo tile installer for home remodels

Tile bathroom floors, shower walls and kitchen backsplashes for homeowners in your area.

Tradesperson laying ceramic floor tiles with a spirit level and trowel.
Startup cost$2.5k to $10k
Monthly revenue$2.5k to $10k
Time needed15+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • $2.5k-10k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

10,685 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.2% in a year

NAICS 238340 “Tile and terrazzo contractors”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

Installing floor and wall tile in homes: surface prep, waterproofing, setting, grouting and sealing. Mostly bathrooms, kitchens, entryways and backsplashes.

Your first three steps

  1. Check your state and city rules for contractor or specialty licenses, and what job size limits apply
  2. Buy a core kit (wet saw, trowels, levels, spacers, mixer) and get general liability insurance
  3. Photograph your first jobs, post them on Google Business Profile and local groups, and ask a few remodelers for overflow work
Who pays

Homeowners, landlords, property managers and remodelers who need a reliable tile setter.

How it makes money

Quoted price per job, usually based on square footage or per project, plus charges for demolition, prep work and materials handling.

Skills that help
  • Precise measuring and layout
  • Cutting and setting tile
  • Clear quoting and customer communication
Watch out for
  • Contractor licensing varies a lot by state and sometimes by county or city, so check with your state licensing board
  • General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire anyone
  • Water damage from poor shower waterproofing is a major risk, so learn proper methods and standards
  • Heavy lifting and knee, back and dust exposure, so plan for protective gear such as a respirator
  • Check if the work needs permits, and whether lead-safe rules apply when disturbing older homes

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: solo tile installer for home remodels

Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a tile installation business?

Startup costs are typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the tools, equipment and protective gear you need. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup before you commit.

How much can a solo tile installer earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on how many jobs you take and the hours you work. These estimates start from about 15 hours a week.

Do I need a license to install tile?

Contractor licensing varies a lot by state and sometimes by county or city, so check with your state licensing board. Also check whether jobs need permits, whether lead-safe rules apply in older homes, and what insurance you need.

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Photo: jarmoluk on Pixabay

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