I’ve got a backsplash in Toronto to price. It’s tumbled-marble run on the horizontal with 12 different 4” feature tiles inset on a diamond. It’s about 25 square feet. There are two 22.5 angles to contend with around a window. I haven’t worked in Toronto in a while. Any idea what a job like that should sell for? Just a rough idea?

Why that's an easy question .... you charge what your work is worth, and of course your work should be worth what you need to make.
Toronto, Barrie, New Market or Nova Scotia .... your work should be worth the same everywhere.

Thats probably the best pricing answer that I've ever heard.
Harry, you have answered basically every pricing question ever asked in one sentence. I have one question though, what is that answer worth to you? HA...

As you know Randy ... I've never answered that question in the forum. Not because I don't want to, but because I really don't know the answer. I've lost work from people because I refused to give them a quote over the phone.
There are people out there who will give prices over the phone. They're called "salespeople".

Any of you work for a retail ceramic tile outlet? They know how to price the material .. to a T. But do they know how to price your work? I doubt it. Even if they do a site visit it's still a gamble.

So bottom line ... decide what you need to make for the time you know it's going take, include material and misc costs .... and presto ... you've got an honest and fair quote.

Funny you nemtion that. I did work for a store up till a year ago. Told him I couldn't do his work anymore for that exact reason. Yesturday he stopped by a job I'm doing to talk about some jobs he's got coming up. When I talk to him next, I'm basically telling him that the only way it will work is if I go measure and price the jobs myself, and also bill the customer direct. Probably get talking to him today. Pretty sure I know what the answer will be but thats just the way it has to be done. He can keep his jobs otherwise.

thats the truth...sales people have no idea what the installers are up against or what they think your labour is worth. I would rather quote the job myself and see it in person. I never quote over the phone. I look at the job and evaluate everything as best I can.

i would charge 500 here in tennessee for a backsplash like that.

I wont work for the tile "stores" that sell a product installed. You need to be able to bid your own work, and sometimes a ft2 price doesn't account for all the labor involved. Especially the smaller jobs, in my experience. Here in Colorado there is a very unfortunate situation in that tile setters (most construction trades for that matter) don't require any accreditation or certification. you wouldn't believe the hacks that are throwing up work around here. My point, they tend to work mainly for these outlets, which also make a premium on the tile setter's labor. As much as the tile setter is earning in some cases! These people work for much less than the market standard, because they are uneducated /inexperienced, and the work is substandard. What we desperately need here is an accreditation system for craftsman, and a system to educate the consumer(contractor to end user)about the benefits of ceramic tile as a building material, and the necessity of proper installation. I'm very interested in talking to the senior members about this more.

I have only owned a buisness installing tile for a little over a year now, i have installed for about 4 years. The problem sometimes with people that have been doing this for a long time is that they forget that what they have learned was either taught by someone with experience or learned the trade through trial and error and or experience in time itself. i come on this sight for helpful tips and have learned alot about what i do, and yet still there is alot to learn for me. I wan't to give a quality product and do to the best of my ability, but when i come on this sight, there is always someone talking about people that don't know how to install tile or are just uneducated on products or installation techniques.. All i am saying is there are still people out here trying to learn the trade for what it is. craftsmanship, integrity and quality. these are not things that happen over night. i agree that there are people out there that are not doing this kind of work. but there are not a lot of places you can go to get adequete training in the area i am in. I still think experience in reputition and just seeing it on a day to day basis is a better teacher.

Sorry Noha, I have to disagree. "Trial and Error" is not an accepted installation method, as far as I know. As craftsman we have a responsibility to understand the products and techniques therein. No matter how you learn, it's YOUR responsibility to learn correctly. This site is an excellent resource.