Tile • Houston TX
Backsplash Tile Installation Houston
Kitchen backsplash tile set from the countertop up, with old tile removal, wall prep, clean outlet cuts and a flexible caulk line. Get a free instant quote.
Executive Summary: Backsplash Tile Installation Houston
Backsplash tile installation in Houston covers old tile removal, wall repair, layout from the countertop up, setting, grout and a flexible caulk line at the counter.
The standard system is patch and prime wall + modified thinset + sanded or unsanded grout + flexible caulk at counters. Typical Houston-area pricing runs about $20.50 to $41 per square foot with materials, or about $600 to $1,800 for a 30 sq ft backsplash (estimates). Days are set after we see the kitchen.
Removing old tile can damage drywall, which adds a patch-and-prime step. Pre-1980s homes with vinyl tile and cutback adhesive need asbestos testing before any floor removal.
Typical Houston Projects
Three common backsplash jobs and how we scope them. These are typical scopes, not past projects.
Example scope: Subway tile kitchen backsplash, Upper Kirby (77098)
What to expect: days set after we see the kitchen (estimate), usually $600 to $1,800 for 30 sq ft at Houston-area rates.
See the full scope
Project Size: about 30 sq ft between counters and upper cabinets
Neighborhood: Upper Kirby (77098)
Service: Backsplash Tile Installation Houston
System: patch and prime + modified thinset + 3×6 ceramic subway + sanded grout
The Problem: dated tile with stained grout and loose pieces behind the sink
The Solution: remove old tile, patch and prime the drywall, set a level layout from the counter, extend outlet boxes
Example scope: Full-height range wall, Garden Oaks (77018)
What to expect: days set after we see the kitchen (estimate); expect $20.50 to $41 per sq ft with materials at typical Houston-area pricing.
See the full scope
Project Size: about 45 sq ft
Neighborhood: Garden Oaks (77018)
Service: Backsplash Tile Installation Houston
System: modified thinset + large-format porcelain + unsanded grout
The Problem: a painted wall behind the range with grease stains
The Solution: scuff and prime the paint, plan the layout around the hood, set and grout
Example scope: Rental kitchen refresh, Sugar Land (77479)
What to expect: days set after we see the kitchen (estimate), with Houston-area pricing usually at $20.50 to $41 per sq ft with materials.
See the full scope
Project Size: about 25 sq ft
Neighborhood: Sugar Land (77479)
Service: Backsplash Tile Installation Houston
System: patch and prime + modified thinset + ceramic tile + sanded grout
The Problem: gaps at the countertop and uneven tile around the outlets
The Solution: new tile with box extenders, then flexible caulk at the counter line
Stop Letting Failing Floors Hurt Your Property Value
Loose or cracked backsplash tile
Tile pops off when it was set on dusty or glossy walls. We patch, prime and set tile in modified thinset so it bonds to the wall.
Gaps at the countertop
Grout cracks where the counter meets the wall because the two move differently. A flexible caulk line there stays sealed.
Crooked tile around outlets
Outlet covers that sit below the tile look unfinished. Box extenders bring them flush. Pair new tile with Cabinet Painting Houston TX for a full kitchen refresh.
Schedule a Walkthrough
We measure the backsplash, check the wall behind the sink and range, and count outlet cuts before writing a number. Removal and wall repair show as their own lines.
Our Process: Done Right the First Time
- 1Slab Testing & Written EstimateWe measure the wall, check it for moisture behind the sink and confirm tile, pattern and grout color with you. Tile, prep and labor each get a line on your written estimate.
- 2Floor Prep & InstallationCounters get covered, old tile comes off and the wall is patched and primed. Tile goes up in a level layout from the counter, with outlet extenders set.
- 3Final Walkthrough & Clean-UpGrout and caulk get finished, outlet covers go back on and you walk the kitchen with the crew lead. Debris leaves with us.
What to Expect: Your Project Timeline
| Stage | When | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Estimate & slab testing | Week before | Measurements, wall moisture check behind the sink, tile and grout choice, written estimate |
| Demo & floor prep | Visit 1 | Counters covered, old tile removed, drywall patched and primed |
| Installation | Visit 1 | Layout from the counter, tile set in modified thinset, outlet box extenders |
| Grout or finish cure | Visit 2 | Grout once thinset sets, flexible caulk at the counter line |
| Walkthrough | Visit 2 | Outlet covers reinstalled, walkthrough with the crew lead |
These are estimates set after we see the kitchen. Drywall damage behind old tile can add a day.
The Right Time to Schedule Backsplash Tile Installation Houston
Tile is loose or cracked.
Loose tile lets water behind the wall at the sink. Replacing it early keeps the repair small.
You are updating cabinets or counters.
Tile goes in after new counters and cabinet paint, so book the backsplash last in the sequence.
You are listing or turning over a rental.
A new backsplash is a quick kitchen update. Backsplash installs can happen any month of the year.
Booking Your Backsplash
Backsplash work runs year-round. Booking a couple of weeks ahead leaves time for tile delivery and the wall check.
The Henry Contractor Difference
No hidden fees
Your written estimate lists removal, wall repair, outlet extenders and grout before work starts.
Local Houston crews
Local Houston crews plan around humid kitchens and check the wall behind the sink, where hidden leaks show up.
Prep done by the book
Counters protected, wall primed, layout set from the counter, then tile, grout and caulk in that order.
Transparent Pricing for Backsplash Tile Installation Houston
| What Affects the Cost | Standard vs. Premium | Hidden Costs to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and size: square footage, tile size and pattern | Standard uses ceramic subway tile; premium uses porcelain, glass or stone mosaics | A 25 sq ft minimum applies at some shops |
| Wall condition and labor: old tile removal, drywall repair, outlet cuts | Standard sets over a sound, primed wall; premium adds full removal and drywall patching | Every outlet and switch needs a cut and a box extender |
| Occupancy and extras: kitchen in use, appliance moves | Standard covers counters and cabinets; premium adds range and hood work | Grout type and color changes the price slightly |
Typical Houston-area range (estimate): $20.50 to $41 per square foot with materials, $40 to $60 per square foot for premium tile, or about $600 to $1,800 for a 30 sq ft backsplash. Your written estimate after an on-site walkthrough sets the exact price.
Get an Exact Number
Outlet count and wall condition change the price. We measure on site and put the full number in writing before work starts.
Which Flooring Fits Your Houston Home
| Tile | Houston humidity | Water exposure | Wall fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic subway | Unaffected by humidity once glazed | Fine behind sinks with grout and caulk sealed | Light; sets easily on primed drywall |
| Porcelain | Dense body, unaffected by humidity | Best behind sinks and ranges | Large formats need a flat wall |
| Glass mosaic | Unaffected by humidity | Wipes clean; grout lines need sealing | Needs a smooth, flat wall |
| Natural stone | Needs sealing in humid kitchens | Stains without sealer | Heavier; needs a solid wall |
For floor tile, see Tile Flooring Installation Houston.
Backsplash Tile Installation Houston vs. DIY vs. Big-Box Install
| Feature | Henry Contractor | DIY | Big-Box Install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slab Prep | Wall checked behind the sink, patched and primed before tile | Tile set over dust or gloss | Prep varies by installer |
| Time Investment | Days set after we see the kitchen (estimate) | Several weekends of cuts and grout | Install date set by the store's calendar |
| Material Quality | Ceramic, porcelain, glass or stone matched to the kitchen | Whatever tile is on sale | Tile choice limited to store stock |
| Clean-Up Process | Counters covered, debris hauled away | Thinset and dust left on counters | Debris removal billed separately |
| Pricing Transparency | Written estimate with removal, repair and outlets listed | Thinset, grout and blade costs pile up | Low per-foot price, extras added later |
Who We Partner With
Homeowners Updating Kitchens
You want a new look without replacing cabinets. Tile and paint change the room for a fraction of a remodel.
Remodelers and Designers
You pick the tile and pattern, we handle the wall prep, layout and clean caulk line.
Landlords
You need a backsplash that cleans easily between tenants. Ceramic or porcelain with sealed grout holds up.
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 tile kitchens in The Heights (77008), Montrose (77006), Memorial (77024), Bellaire (77401) and West University Place (77005).
For floors, start at the Flooring Installation Houston TX page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we do when the old tile is loose, cracked or too thick for the new layout. Removal can damage drywall, so we patch and prime the wall before setting new tile. Outlets get box extenders, and counters stay protected while we cut, set and grout.
If the old tile is tight and flat, we check whether it can stay, but most kitchens look better with a clean start.
The short answer is about $20 to $60 per square foot, or roughly $600 to $1,800 for a 30 sq ft kitchen backsplash, based on typical Houston-area pricing. Tile size, pattern, old tile removal and outlet cuts move the number. Your written estimate sets the exact price.
Houston pricing runs about $20.50 to $41 per square foot with materials at the lower end and $40 to $60 per square foot for premium tile, with a 25 sq ft minimum at some shops (estimates).
The short answer is usually a short visit for the wall prep and tile setting, then a return visit to grout and caulk once the thinset sets. Old tile removal, drywall repair and patterns with many cuts add time. Your written estimate gives a schedule after we see the kitchen.
Counters and cabinets stay covered the whole time, and the kitchen is usable between visits.
Yes, we do, once the paint is scuffed or primed so thinset bonds to it. Glossy or peeling paint comes off first, and soft or water-damaged drywall gets patched and primed. Behind a sink or range we check the wall for moisture before any tile goes up.
With new cabinet colors in the plan, paint the cabinets first, then tile, so tape never touches fresh grout.
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.