Tile Installation Invoice Template (Free + Example)
Tile installation invoice template with per square foot labor, materials, prep and demo lines, deposits and a worked bathroom example you can copy today.
Quick answer: A tile installation invoice lists the tiled areas and square footage, labor per square foot, prep and demolition work, materials such as tile, thinset, grout and backer board, trim priced per linear foot, any deposit already paid, sales tax where required and the balance due.
Tile jobs have a lot of moving parts: removal of old flooring, subfloor prep, waterproofing, the tile itself, setting materials, trim and grout. If your invoice lumps all of that into one line, customers will question it. This guide gives you a tile installation invoice template, a worked example for a bathroom job, and tips for deposits and change orders so you get paid without arguments.
What is a tile installation invoice?
A tile installation invoice is the bill a tile setter or flooring contractor sends after completing, or reaching a milestone on, a tile job. It documents the areas tiled, the method of pricing (usually per square foot), materials supplied and payments received. It also serves as your record for bookkeeping and taxes. If you also install hardwood, vinyl or carpet, our flooring invoice template covers those materials.
A good tile invoice follows the same structure as your estimate. If the customer approved an estimate with five line items, the invoice should show the same five lines plus any approved changes. See our estimate template for the quoting side.
Tile installation invoice template fields
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Business details | Name, phone, email, contractor license number if your state requires it |
| Invoice number and date | TL-2026-087, October 29, 2026 |
| Customer and job address | Name, billing address, job site address |
| Project description | Primary bathroom floor and shower walls |
| Prep and demolition | Remove existing tile, haul away, level subfloor |
| Substrate and waterproofing | Cement board or foam board, membrane, shower pan |
| Labor per area | Floor 64 sq ft at a set rate, walls 96 sq ft at a set rate |
| Trim and detail | Bullnose or edge trim per linear foot, niche, bench, threshold |
| Materials | Tile (with box count), thinset, grout, sealer, spacers |
| Change orders | Approved extras with reference number |
| Payments | Deposit and progress payments received |
| Totals | Subtotal, tax, total, balance due, due date |
You can fill in these fields in our free invoice generator and download a clean PDF in minutes.
How to price tile labor on an invoice (per square foot)
Per square foot pricing is the industry norm because it scales with the job and is easy for customers to compare. The rate depends on tile size, layout, surface and your region. Rather than quote national averages, set rates from your own production speed and costs. A common structure is:
| Line type | Unit | What changes the rate |
|---|---|---|
| Floor tile, standard layout | Per sq ft | Tile size, straight vs offset layout |
| Wall and shower tile | Per sq ft | Height, plumbing cutouts, niches |
| Pattern premium (herringbone, diagonal) | Per sq ft add-on | Extra cuts and layout time |
| Large-format tile (24 in. and up) | Per sq ft add-on | Flatness prep, handling, leveling system |
| Mosaic | Per sq ft | Sheet alignment, grout time |
| Trim, bullnose, edge profiles | Per linear ft | Mitered corners, metal trim |
| Niches, benches, curbs | Each | Size and waterproofing |
| Demolition and haul-off | Per sq ft or flat | Mortar bed vs thinset removal |
Charging a pattern premium as a separate add-on line keeps the base rate consistent and shows the customer exactly what their layout choice cost. If some work cannot be priced up front, such as rotten subfloor, bill it on a time and materials basis with prior approval.
Materials: pass-through or markup?
When you buy the tile, you are carrying the cost, the trip to the supplier and the risk of breakage. Many installers add a markup to materials, while others pass them through at cost and earn their margin on labor. Both are legitimate; what matters is consistency and transparency. Our guide on materials markup explains common percentages and how to show them. For an overview of splitting labor and materials on one bill, see the labor and materials invoice guide.
Always note the overage. Industry practice is to buy 10% to 15% extra for straight layouts and more for diagonal or herringbone work. Leftover full boxes can be left with the customer for future repairs, which is worth noting on the invoice.
Tile installation invoice example
Below is a sample tile installation invoice for a bathroom floor and shower surround where the installer supplied all materials and took a 30% deposit. The rates are illustrative.
Precision Tile Works | Invoice TL-2026-087 | Date: October 29, 2026 | Due: November 5, 2026
Customer: M. Chen | Job site: 72 Linden Ave., primary bathroom
| Description | Qty | Unit | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo existing floor and shower tile, haul away | 160 | sq ft | $3.00 | $480.00 |
| Cement backer board, shower walls, installed | 96 | sq ft | $3.50 | $336.00 |
| Liquid waterproofing membrane, shower | 1 | job | $275.00 | $275.00 |
| Floor tile labor, 12x24 porcelain | 64 | sq ft | $9.00 | $576.00 |
| Shower wall tile labor, 12x24 porcelain | 96 | sq ft | $11.00 | $1,056.00 |
| Recessed shower niche, framed and tiled | 1 | each | $225.00 | $225.00 |
| Metal edge trim, installed | 18 | lin ft | $8.00 | $144.00 |
| Porcelain tile, 12x24 (184 sq ft incl. 15% overage) | 184 | sq ft | $4.25 | $782.00 |
| Thinset, grout, spacers, sealer | 1 | lot | $165.00 | $165.00 |
| Change order CO-1: subfloor repair, 2 hrs + plywood | 1 | job | $190.00 | $190.00 |
| Subtotal | $4,229.00 | |||
| Less deposit received Oct 6 (30% of original estimate $4,039.00) | -$1,211.70 | |||
| Balance due | $3,017.30 | |||
The original estimate was $4,039. The approved change order for subfloor repair added $190, giving $4,229. The deposit was 30% of the original estimate, so the balance is $4,229 minus $1,211.70. In this example the state treats the job as a real property improvement, so the contractor paid tax on materials at purchase and no sales tax appears on the invoice. Your state may differ.
How to create a tile installation invoice in 7 steps
- Pull up the signed estimate. Use the same line items so the customer can compare.
- Measure what you installed. Record final square footage by area and linear feet of trim.
- Add approved change orders. Reference each change order number and date. Our guide to change orders shows how to document them.
- List materials. Tile with square footage or box count, setting materials, membranes.
- Subtract deposits and progress payments. Show each payment with its date.
- Apply tax rules for your state. Use the sales tax calculator if you charge tax on materials or labor.
- Add terms and warranty. Due date, payment methods, late fee and a workmanship warranty note.
Deposits and progress payments for tile jobs
Deposits protect you when you order tile, especially special-order or imported products that cannot be returned. For small backsplash jobs, many installers ask for a deposit to cover materials only. For full bathroom or kitchen floors, a structure such as 30% at signing, 40% after substrate and waterproofing, and 30% on completion keeps cash coming in and limits your risk. Our guides to the deposit invoice and progress billing show how to set this up.
Some states cap the deposit a home improvement contractor can take before work begins, and some require specific contract language. California, for example, limits down payments on most home improvement contracts. Check your state contractor licensing board before setting your deposit policy.
What payment terms and notes should a tile invoice include?
The notes and terms section at the bottom of a tile installation invoice does more work than most installers realize. It is where you set the due date, explain what the warranty covers and record anything the customer should know about caring for the new surface. A short, specific terms block prevents the most common follow-up calls.
| Term or note | Example wording | Why include it |
|---|---|---|
| Due date | Payment due within 7 days of invoice date | Removes any doubt about when to pay |
| Payment methods | Card, ACH bank transfer or check payable to Precision Tile Works | Makes paying easy and fast |
| Late fee | 1.5% per month on balances over 30 days, as stated in the contract | Discourages late payment where state law permits |
| Workmanship warranty | Installation labor warranted for 12 months against loose or cracked tile caused by installation | Builds trust and limits open-ended claims |
| Exclusions | Excludes structural movement, impact damage and work by others | Prevents disputes over damage you did not cause |
| Care note | Allow grout to cure as the manufacturer directs before wet use; seal cement grout as recommended | Reduces callbacks from early use |
| Leftover materials | Two full boxes of tile left on site for future repairs | Explains the overage the customer paid for |
For residential work, terms such as due on completion or net 7 are common. If you install tile for builders or property managers, you may be asked for net 30 payment terms, which is worth pricing into the job because you are financing the work for a month. Late fees are only enforceable if they were agreed in advance and comply with state limits, so write them into your contract first; our guide on late payment fees explains how to set them.
Billing small tile repairs and service calls
Not every tile job is a full bathroom. Replacing three cracked floor tiles, regrouting a shower or resetting a loose threshold takes setup, travel and cure time that per-square-foot pricing does not cover. For these jobs, many installers use a flat service call fee or a minimum charge, then add materials. A simple repair invoice might read: minimum service charge (up to 2 hours) $185, matching tile and grout $28, total $213. Note on the invoice that color matching to aged grout is approximate, which heads off complaints when new grout looks slightly different from the old.
Repair invoices are also a good place to record the tile product name, size and lot number if you know it. When the customer calls in three years about another cracked tile, that note saves a trip to identify the product.
Common tile invoice mistakes to avoid
- One-line invoices. "Bathroom tile, $4,229" gives the customer nothing to check and invites disputes.
- Billing purchased square footage as installed. Bill labor on installed area; show overage only on materials.
- Undocumented extras. Subfloor fixes and extra niches need a signed change order before the work.
- Forgetting the deposit credit. Always show deposits received so the balance is correct.
- Vague material descriptions. Name the tile, size and finish so warranty claims are easy later.
- No minimum charge. Small repairs can cost more in travel and setup than the per-foot math covers.
When tile is part of a larger project
If you work as a subcontractor for a general contractor or remodeler, your invoice goes to the GC rather than the homeowner, and you may need to follow their pay application schedule, retainage and lien waiver requirements. See our subcontractor invoice template for that workflow and the broader construction invoice guide for how billing works on bigger jobs.
A detailed tile installation invoice protects your margin and makes it easy for customers to pay. Build yours with square footage, prep, materials, change orders and deposits on separate lines, and reuse the layout for every job. Our free invoice generator needs no sign-up and creates a downloadable PDF in your browser, so you can send the invoice before you leave the job site.
Frequently asked questions
How do tile installers usually charge for labor?
Most tile installers charge labor per square foot for floors and walls, with separate rates for complex work such as small mosaics, large-format tile, herringbone patterns or shower pans. Trim pieces like bullnose and edge profiles are often priced per linear foot. Prep, demolition and minimum job charges are usually billed separately so the per-square-foot rate stays comparable between jobs.
Should tile be supplied by the installer or the homeowner?
Either works, but say which on the estimate and invoice. When the homeowner supplies tile, the installer usually bills only labor and setting materials such as thinset, grout and backer board. When the installer supplies tile, they bill for it, often with a markup to cover ordering, pickup and waste. Make the overage percentage clear so customers understand why they paid for extra boxes.
How much deposit should a tile installer ask for?
Deposits commonly range from 10% to 50% depending on job size and whether you are buying the tile. A larger deposit makes sense when you order special tile that cannot be returned. Some states limit home improvement deposits, so check your state's contractor rules. Always credit the deposit as a separate line on the final invoice so the balance due is clear.
How do I calculate square footage for a tile invoice?
Multiply length by width for each rectangular area and add them together, then subtract large openings such as tubs or cabinets. For walls, multiply height by width of each tiled section. Bill labor on the installed area, not the purchased area. Material quantities usually include 10% to 15% overage for cuts and breakage, more for diagonal or herringbone layouts.
Can I charge extra if the subfloor needs repair?
Yes, but only after telling the customer and getting approval, ideally in writing as a change order. Subfloor and wall problems are often hidden until demolition, so include a clause in your estimate that unforeseen conditions will be priced separately. On the invoice, list the repair as its own line with hours and materials so the customer can see what it involved.
Do tile installers charge sales tax?
It depends on the state and how you bill. In many states, contractors who install tile as part of real property improvements pay sales tax when they buy materials and do not charge tax on the installed job. Other states tax installation labor or separately stated materials. Check your state revenue department, and keep supplier receipts to show tax was paid.
What is a minimum charge for tile work?
A minimum charge is a floor price for small jobs, such as a backsplash repair or a few replacement tiles, that would not cover travel, setup and cleanup if billed by the square foot. Show it on the invoice as a single line, for example minimum service charge, so the customer does not see an unusually high per-foot rate.
Should I include a warranty on my tile invoice?
A short workmanship warranty note on the invoice, such as one year on installation labor, builds trust and reduces disputes. Make clear that the warranty covers installation, not the tile itself, which carries the manufacturer's warranty. Exclude damage from settlement, misuse or other trades, and point to the full terms in your contract.
Invoice Creator Editorial Team
Guides on invoicing, cash flow and small-business finance from Invoice Creator, operated by Next Software Development Company. Content is reviewed for accuracy against the fields our own invoice generator produces.
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