What belongs on the estimate

• Business name, license number, contact info
• Customer name, property address, phone
• Areas — floor, walls, shower, with square footage each
• Demo and disposal
• Substrate — backer board, subfloor correction, flatness
• Waterproofing system — named product
• Tile — size, pattern, installed area and material area with waste
• Niches, benches, curbs, and trim
• Grout, sealing, and caulk
• As-found subfloor rate and exclusions

The template

[Your Business Name] · License #________
[Phone] · [Email]

Estimate #____        Date: __________
Prepared For: [Customer Name]   Phone: __________
Property: _____________________________________
Areas: floor ___ sq ft, walls ___ sq ft,
       shower ___ sq ft
Tile: [size / type]   Pattern: ______________
Material area: ___ sq ft (waste ___%)

--------------------------------------------------
Description                              Amount
--------------------------------------------------
Demo — ___ sq ft + disposal              $______
Subfloor / substrate correction          $______
Backer board — ___ sq ft                 $______
Self-leveling underlayment               $______
Waterproofing [system] — ___ sq ft       $______
Shower pan / pre-slope                   $______
Drain assembly [linear / center]         $______
Tile install — floor ___ sq ft @ $___    $______
Tile install — walls ___ sq ft @ $___    $______
Pattern surcharge [herringbone/large fmt]$______
Niche(s) x___                            $______
Bench / curb                             $______
Trim, edge profile — ___ lf              $______
Grout + sealing                          $______
Caulk at changes of plane                $______
Fixture reinstall (valve trim, door)     $______
AS-FOUND (photo approval required):
   Subfloor / joist repair — $___ /sq ft $______
   Framing repair — $___ each            $______
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal                                 $______
Tax (if applicable)                      $______
Estimate Total                           $______

NOT INCLUDED: plumbing rough-in relocation, electrical,
glass shower door supply, drywall beyond the tile
area, painting, vanity or fixture supply.
## Essential components in a tile and shower installation estimate

A professional tile setter, bathroom remodeling contractor, and custom shower installation specialist relies on comprehensive itemization covering demolition, substrate preparation, waterproofing membrane certification, pattern surcharges, and as-found subfloor repair clauses:

- **Demolition & Waste Disposal ($450–$850):** Demolishing existing tile, drywall, pan liner, and hauling heavy debris to authorized disposal facilities.
- **Substrate Floor & Wall Preparation ($3–$6 per sq ft):** Installing Cementitious Backer Units (CBU / HardieBacker), cement mud beds, self-leveling floor underlayments, and uncoupling membranes (DITRA).
- **Certified Sheet Waterproofing Assembly ($850–$1,450):** Complete Schluter-KERDI, Laticrete Hydro Ban, or Wedi waterproof system installation including pre-sloped pan, band waterproofing seams, and mandatory 24-hour flood test.
- **Tile Setting by Format & Layout Complexity ($10–$28 per sq ft):** Standard grid setting vs. herringbone, chevron, or 24x48 large-format porcelain requiring mechanical leveling clips and back-buttering.
- **Custom Niches, Benches & Curbs ($250–$450/ea):** Recessed shampoo niches, mitered tile corners, floating bench seating, and solid quartz curb tops.
- **As-Found Subfloor & Joist Repair Clause ($45–$65 per sq ft):** Pre-priced labor and material rates for replacing water-damaged subfloor plywood or sistering rotted floor joists discovered after demolition.

## Free Tile & Shower Installation Estimate Text Template

Copy and paste the template below to build professional tile and shower remodeling estimates:

================================================================================ CUSTOM TILE & SHOWER REMODELING ESTIMATE

TILE CONTRACTOR: ESTIMATE & PROJECT DETAILS: [Your Custom Tile Business Name] Estimate Number: EST-TILE-2026-0814 [State Tile Contractor License #] Estimate Date: August 3, 2026 [Phone & Billing Email Address] Valid Until: September 3, 2026 (30 Days)

CLIENT & PROPERTY LOCATION: SHOWER & FLOOR SPECIFICATIONS: Client Name: [Homeowner Name] Shower Dimensions: 4’ x 5’ Walk-In Property Address: [312 Oak Ridge Lane] Wall Area: 140 Sq Ft | Floor: 20 Sq Ft System Spec: Schluter-KERDI Waterproofing Pan Tile: 12x24 Porcelain & Hexagon Pan

---

LINE ITEM ESTIMATE BREAKDOWN & SCOPE AMOUNT

1. Master Bathroom Demolition & Debris Disposal $650.00
   • Scope: Remove Existing Tile, Fiberglass Pan & Wallboard
2. Suber-Board & Floor Self-Leveling Substrate Prep $520.00
3. Schluter-KERDI Waterproofing System & Mud Bed Pan Build $1,250.00
   • Includes 24-Hour Pan Flood Test Verification
4. Wall Tile Setting — 12x24 Porcelain (140 Sq Ft @ $14/sq ft) $1,960.00
5. Shower Floor Pan Mosaic Tile (20 Sq Ft @ $18/sq ft) $360.00
6. Recessed Double Shampoo Niche (16”x24” w/ Quartz Shelf) $350.00
7. Solid Quartz Shower Curb Cap & Schluter Profile Edging $280.00
8. Epoxy Stain-Resistant Grout & Color-Matched Silicone Seal $420.00

---

SUBTOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE: $5,790.00 Estimated State & Local Materials Tax: $173.70

TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE: $5,963.70 Required 30% Booking & Material Deposit: $1,789.11

AS-FOUND REPAIR CLAUSE & EXCLUSIONS: As-Found Rot Repair Rate: $45.00/sq ft for 3/4” CDX subfloor plywood replacement. Excludes plumbing valve rough-in relocation, electrical wiring, or glass door supply.

## Tile estimation math: Powder room vs. master bathroom vs. luxury steam shower

Tile project estimates scale based on waterproofing requirements, linear drains, and mosaic detailing:

- **Powder Room Floor (40 sq ft @ $850–$1,450 total):** Simple floor tile replacement with uncoupling membrane, minor leveling, and grouting. Completed in 1 to 2 days.
- **Master Bathroom Floor & Tub Surround ($2,800–$5,200 total):** 100 sq ft floor + 80 sq ft tub walls. Includes backer board prep, tile setting, trim edging, and sealing.
- **Custom Luxury Steam Shower ($7,500–$15,000+ total):** Fully enclosed tiled ceiling, vapor barrier membrane, linear trench drain, heated bench seat, and mitered slab edges.

## Itemizing 24-hour flood tests, as-found rot clauses, and 30% deposits

Protect your tile contracting business against unforeseen site conditions:

1. **Mandatory 24-Hour Pan Flood Tests:** Fill the shower pan with water up to the curb plug for 24 hours prior to tiling. Documenting a zero-leak flood test protects against future water damage claims.
2. **As-Found Subfloor Rot Clauses ($45–$65/sq ft):** Water leaks under old showers often rot 3/4" subfloor plywood and joists. Pre-pricing subfloor repair on the estimate prevents uncomfortable price negotiations mid-demo.
3. **30% Booking & Material Deposits:** Custom tiles, Schluter membranes, and linear drains require upfront cash layout. A 30% deposit locks in calendar dates and covers material purchases.

## Converting estimates into invoices upon final sign-off

- **Joint Flood Test & Finish Inspection:** Walk the completed shower with the client, verifying smooth mitered edges, clean silicone seals, and proper floor pitch to the drain.
- **Instant Digital Invoicing:** Convert the approved estimate into a final PDF invoice in one click, accepting credit card payments or checks on-site before removing floor protection.

## Photograph the waterproofing before tile

It's probably the single most important layer, and the only one nobody can ever inspect
again once it's covered. Photos of the finished membrane, the corners, and the pan are your
proof of a correct installation for as long as that shower's around.

## Say what happens if customer-supplied tile runs short

Customers routinely order without accounting for waste. One line — shortages and breakage
are the customer's responsibility, and re-mobilization is billable — turns a stalled job
into a managed one instead of a fight.

## Skipping the copy-paste

Software with your demo, substrate, waterproofing, and per-square-foot tile rates already
saved builds this estimate fast and keeps the waterproofing photos on the job record.