Flooring • Houston TX
Shower & Bathroom Tile Installation Houston
Shower walls, tub surrounds and bathroom floors tiled over a sloped mortar bed and liquid waterproofing, for Houston homes and rentals. Get a free instant quote.
Executive Summary: Shower Tile Installation Houston
Shower tile installation in Houston rebuilds shower walls, pans and tub surrounds with a sloped mortar bed, liquid waterproofing and tile set in modified thinset.
The standard system is liquid waterproofing + sloped mortar bed + modified thinset, finished with epoxy or sanded grout. Typical Houston-area pricing runs about $17 to $33 per square foot of shower wall, and a first-floor pan rebuild about $7,000 to $9,000 (estimates). Days are estimated after inspection.
Bathroom floors on a slab still need a moisture reading, and an out-of-flat slab must be leveled before install. We check flatness but do not offer slab leveling. Pre-1980s vinyl tile and cutback adhesive need asbestos testing before removal.
Typical Houston Projects
Three common shower and bathroom tile jobs and how we scope them. These are typical scopes, not past projects.
Example scope: Walk-in shower rebuild, Tanglewood (77057)
What to expect: Estimated days are set after inspection. Typically $17 to $33 per sq ft of shower wall based on Houston-area pricing.
See the full scope
Project Size: about 90 sq ft of wall plus a 4×5 pan
Neighborhood: Tanglewood (77057)
Service: Shower & Bathroom Tile Installation Houston
System: sloped mortar bed + liquid waterproofing + large-format porcelain + epoxy grout
The Problem: a leaking shower pan and loose wall tile
The Solution: full demo to studs, new pan and membrane, flood test, then tile with a recessed niche
Example scope: Tub surround retile, Museum District (77004)
What to expect: Estimated days are set after inspection. Typically $17 to $33 per sq ft of shower wall based on Houston-area pricing.
See the full scope
Project Size: about 60 sq ft of wall
Neighborhood: Museum District (77004)
Service: Shower & Bathroom Tile Installation Houston
System: liquid waterproofing + ceramic tile + sanded grout
The Problem: dated tile and crumbling grout around an older tub
The Solution: remove old tile, repair the wall, waterproof, then set and grout new tile
Example scope: Rental bathroom refresh, West University Place (77005)
What to expect: Estimated days are set after inspection. Typically $17 to $33 per sq ft of shower wall based on Houston-area pricing.
See the full scope
Project Size: shower walls and a 40 sq ft floor
Neighborhood: West University Place (77005)
Service: Shower & Bathroom Tile Installation Houston
System: liquid waterproofing + porcelain + epoxy grout in the shower
The Problem: stained grout and water marks on the ceiling below
The Solution: fix the leak path, retile with epoxy grout, then repaint the stained ceiling
Stop Letting Failing Floors Hurt Your Property Value
Failed shower waterproofing
Water behind tile rots studs and stains ceilings below. A liquid waterproofing membrane over a sloped mortar bed stops it at the source.
Crumbling or stained grout
Cement grout soaks up water and soap. Epoxy grout resists stains and mildew, and flexible caulk goes in the corners where tile meets tile at an angle.
Leaks around the shower pan
A flat or cracked pan holds water against the drain. We rebuild the slope and flood-test before tiling. If water already stained a ceiling, Water Damage Stain Repair Painting handles the repaint.
Schedule a Walkthrough
We inspect the shower, check for soft spots and moisture, and measure every wall before writing a number. Demo, waterproofing and any repairs show as their own lines on your estimate.
Our Process: Done Right the First Time
- 1Slab Testing & Written EstimateWe inspect walls and pan, read moisture and confirm tile, grout and layout with you. Your written estimate lists every stage before work starts.
- 2Floor Prep & InstallationOld tile comes out under dust containment, the pan gets rebuilt with a slope and the membrane goes on. After a flood test, tile goes up in modified thinset.
- 3Final Walkthrough & Clean-UpGrout and caulk get finished, and you walk the bathroom with the crew lead. Debris leaves with us, and we tell you when the shower is ready to use.
What to Expect: Your Project Timeline
| Stage | When | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Estimate & slab testing | Week before | Inspection, moisture reading, tile and grout choice, written estimate |
| Demo & floor prep | Day 1 | Old tile and backer removed under dust containment, framing checked |
| Installation | After prep cures | Sloped mortar bed, liquid waterproofing, flood test, then tile set in modified thinset |
| Grout or finish cure | After tile sets | Epoxy or sanded grout, flexible caulk at corners, cure before use |
| Walkthrough | Final day | Walkthrough with the crew lead and use instructions for the first days |
These are estimates set after inspection. Damaged framing or a niche rebuild can add a day.
The Right Time to Schedule Shower Tile Installation Houston
You see stains on the ceiling below.
Water is already getting past the tile. Book an inspection before the framing softens.
Grout is crumbling or tiles sound hollow.
Loose tile lets water behind the wall. Retiling early costs less than rebuilding a rotted wall.
You are remodeling or turning over a rental.
Indoor tile work runs year-round in Houston. Allow time for cure between layers when you plan move-in dates.
Booking Your Bathroom
Shower work runs year-round because weather does not stop indoor jobs. Booking a couple of weeks ahead leaves time for tile delivery and the inspection.
The Henry Contractor Difference
No hidden fees
Your written estimate lists demo, waterproofing, pan work, niches and grout before work starts, so repairs are not mid-job surprises.
Local Houston crews
Local Houston crews know the older bathrooms inside the Loop, where hidden water damage is common behind original tile.
Prep done by the book
Slope, membrane, flood test, then tile. Every layer gets its cure time before the next one goes on.
Transparent Pricing for Shower Tile Installation Houston
| What Affects the Cost | Standard vs. Premium | Hidden Costs to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and size: wall square footage, pan size, niches and benches | Standard uses ceramic tile with sanded grout; premium uses large-format porcelain or stone with epoxy grout | Niches, benches and glass are priced as their own lines |
| Wall condition and labor: demo, framing and waterproofing | Standard waterproofs over sound walls; premium adds a full pan rebuild with a new sloped mortar bed | Damaged framing found during demo is repaired before tile goes on |
| Occupancy and extras: one bathroom in use, rental timing | Standard covers one bathroom out of service; premium adds phased work around a second bath | Pre-1980s vinyl tile and cutback adhesive need asbestos testing before removal |
Typical Houston-area range (estimate): $17 to $33 per square foot of shower wall, and about $7,000 to $9,000 for a first-floor shower pan rebuild, tile and glass extra. Your written estimate after an on-site walkthrough sets the exact price.
Get an Exact Number
A phone quote cannot see a soft wall or a cracked pan. We inspect on site and put the full price in writing before demo starts.
Which Flooring Fits Your Houston Home
| Tile | Houston humidity | Water exposure | Wall and floor fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain | Dense body, unaffected by humidity | Best choice for shower walls and floors | Works on walls and slab floors; large formats need flat walls |
| Ceramic | Unaffected by humidity once glazed | Good on walls with a sound membrane behind it | Common for tub surrounds and wall tile |
| Natural stone | Needs sealing in humid rooms | Absorbs water and stains without sealer | Heavier; needs a flat, solid substrate |
| Mosaic | Unaffected by humidity | More grout lines, so epoxy grout helps | Good on sloped shower floors |
For floors outside the shower, see Tile Flooring Installation Houston.
Shower Tile Installation Houston vs. DIY vs. Big-Box Install
| Feature | Henry Contractor | DIY | Big-Box Install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slab Prep | Wall, pan and slab checked; slope and membrane built before tile | Tile set over old backer or no membrane | Prep varies by installer |
| Time Investment | Days estimated after inspection, with cure time built in | Weekends stretch into weeks | Scheduled around the store's install calendar |
| Material Quality | Porcelain, ceramic or stone with epoxy or sanded grout | Whatever tile is on hand | Shower tile limited to what the store stocks |
| Clean-Up Process | Demo debris hauled away, bathroom left clean | Debris and dust stay with you | Haul-off often priced as an extra |
| Pricing Transparency | Written estimate with demo, waterproofing and niches listed | Supply runs add up as you go | Low per-foot price, waterproofing added later |
Who We Partner With
Homeowners With Leaking Showers
You see stains, loose tile or soft spots. A rebuild with a real membrane stops the leak instead of hiding it.
Remodelers and Designers
You pick the tile and layout, we build the pan, waterproofing and finish to match.
Landlords
You need a shower that survives tenants. Porcelain and epoxy grout cut cleaning and repairs between turnovers.
Proudly Serving Greater Houston
We proudly provide professional painting and flooring services to homeowners and businesses throughout the Greater Houston area, including: The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Cypress, Memorial, and surrounding neighborhoods.
We retile showers in The Heights (77008), Montrose (77006), Memorial (77024), Bellaire (77401) and West University Place (77005), where many original bathrooms need new waterproofing.
Floor tile and other flooring are on the Flooring Installation Houston TX page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shower tile installation usually requires demo, a sloped mortar bed, a liquid waterproofing membrane, tile set in modified thinset and grout, with cure time between steps. Niches, benches and large-format tile add days. Your written estimate lists each stage, and the timeline is an estimate set after inspection.
We schedule each layer with its own dry or cure time, so nothing gets tiled over before it is ready.
The short answer is about $17 to $33 per square foot of shower wall, with full shower pan rebuilds starting near $7,000, based on typical Houston-area pricing. Tile size, waterproofing, niches and demo move the number. Your written estimate after an on-site walkthrough sets the exact price.
Tile installation itself runs about $7 to $18 per square foot, plus about $10 to $15 per square foot for shower work, and a first-floor pan rebuild runs about $7,000 to $9,000 with tile and glass extra (estimates).
The short answer is a liquid waterproofing membrane over the walls and pan, sealed at every seam, corner and niche. Under it sits a sloped mortar bed that drains water toward the drain. Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own, so the membrane does the real work.
Once the membrane cures, we flood-test the pan before any tile goes on.
The short answer is yes for most showers. Epoxy grout resists stains, mildew and water better than sanded cement grout and does not need sealing. It costs more and takes longer, so on a guest bath with light use, sanded grout with a good sealer is a fair trade-off.
Corners and the tile-to-tub joint get color-matched flexible caulk, not grout, so they can move without cracking.
Ready to upgrade your property?
Fill out the free estimate form at the top of the page to get started, or call us directly to schedule your on-site consultation.