Backsplash installation costs $500 to $1,700 per job in 2026
Backsplash installation costs $500 to $1,700 per job in 2026. The price depends on the size, the material and the labor. HomeGuide lists $500 to $1,700 with a national average of $1,100. Fixr lists $500 to $1,500 with an average of $1,000 for 40 square feet. Flooring Clarity says most average sized backsplashes cost $650 to $1,500. Stone and glass cost more than ceramic.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists $500 to $1,700 on average with a national average of $1,100, and $10 to $50 per square foot. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists a national range of $500 to $1,500 with an average of $1,000, and $200 to $6,000 depending on material. |
| Flooring Clarity | Flooring Clarity says most average sized backsplashes cost $650 to $1,500 for professional installation. |
| Homewyse | Homewyse lists $29.79 to $52.07 per square foot for a tile backsplash in September 2026. |
Backsplash installation price by material (40 square feet, Fixr)
| Material | Installed price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chalkboard paint or wallpaper | $200 to $400 | Fixr |
| Ceramic tile | $500 to $1,200 | Fixr |
| Porcelain tile | $560 to $1,400 | Fixr |
| Quartz | $600 to $3,000 | Fixr |
| Glass tile | $720 to $1,700 | Fixr |
| Granite | $800 to $1,850 | Fixr |
| Marble | $1,200 to $6,000 | Fixr |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | Fixr lists $500 to $1,200 for ceramic tile and $1,200 to $6,000 for marble, both for 40 square feet. Pick the material first when you budget. |
| Size | Fixr lists $200 for 8 square feet and $1,000 for 40 square feet. HomeGuide lists $10 to $50 per square foot installed. |
| Labor | HomeGuide lists labor at $5 to $20 per square foot, or $30 to $100 an hour. Fixr says labor is 30% to 70% of the project cost. |
| Slab or tile | Fixr lists tile at about $15 per square foot and slab at about $30. HomeGuide lists quartz slab at $70 to $200 installed. |
| Extras | HomeGuide lists removal of an old backsplash at $2 to $5 per square foot. Fixr lists haul away at $100 to $300 for tile and $200 to $400 for slab. |
What the price includes
The price normally covers the tile or panels, setting materials, grout and labor. HomeGuide lists setting materials at $1 to $2 per square foot. Removing the old backsplash, hauling it away, fixing the wall, outlets, and new lighting often cost extra. Ask if the quote includes cutting around outlets and sealing grout. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
A small tile backsplash can be a DIY job if you can cut tile and keep lines straight. Flooring Clarity says a professional job costs $650 to $1,500 for an average size backsplash. DIY saves the labor, which Fixr says is 30% to 70% of the project cost. You still buy tile, thin-set mortar and grout, and tools. Flooring Clarity lists thin-set at about $15 per 50 pound bag and grout at $10 to $30 per quart. Hire a pro for stone, glass, slab or a big wall.
How to tell you need it
A backsplash protects the wall behind your sink and stove from water, grease and heat. You may need a new one if the wall has stains, peeling paint, cracked tile or loose grout. Some people replace it to update a kitchen before a sale. If the old tile is cracked or moldy, a pro should check the wall for water damage before new tile goes on.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the price per square foot and the total square feet.
- Ask if the quote includes tile, setting materials and grout.
- Ask if removing the old backsplash is in the price.
- Ask about outlet cuts, sealing and a warranty on the work.
- Compare the total with the range above: $500 to $1,700 per job for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Pick ceramic or porcelain tile. Fixr lists $500 to $1,400 for 40 square feet, against $800 to $1,850 for granite.
- Cover a small area. Fixr lists $200 for 8 square feet, and a backsplash only behind the stove costs far less than a full wall.
- Do the old backsplash removal yourself. HomeGuide lists removal labor at $2 to $5 per square foot, so you save that.
- Get three quotes. HomeGuide lists labor at $30 to $100 an hour, so pros differ a lot in what they charge.
- Try peel and stick tiles for a rental or a small job. HomeGuide lists them at $4 to $30 per square foot before labor.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Tile, stone and setting materials cost more in 2026, and skilled tile setters charge higher hourly rates.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, Fixr, Flooring Clarity and Homewyse. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does backsplash installation cost?
Most jobs run $500 to $1,700. HomeGuide lists an average of $1,100 and Fixr lists $1,000 for 40 square feet.
How much per square foot?
HomeGuide lists $10 to $50 per square foot installed. Fixr lists an average of $25. Homewyse lists $29.79 to $52.07 for tile.
What does labor cost?
HomeGuide lists $5 to $20 per square foot, or $30 to $100 an hour. Fixr lists labor at $300 to $700 on average.
Which material is cheapest?
Wallpaper or paint at $200 to $400 for 40 square feet on Fixr. Ceramic is next at $500 to $1,200.
Does removal cost extra?
Yes. HomeGuide lists $2 to $5 per square foot to remove an old backsplash. Fixr lists haul away at $100 to $400.