How Much Does Slate Flooring Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $8,000 - $12,800
For an 800-square-foot space, installing slate flooring costs an average of $10,400. Most people spend between $8,000 and $12,800.
On average, installing slate flooring costs $10,400 for an 800-square-foot space. However, it’s common for total costs to range from $8,000 to $12,800, depending on the type of slate, the amount of prep work required, and other factors. For most projects, this comes out to $10 to $16 per square foot, including materials and labor.
- Average
- $10,400
- Low end
- $7,200
- high end
- $32,000
Cost by Type of Slate Flooring
Slate flooring is available in tiles and slabs. Slate tile costs anywhere from $9 to $40 per square foot (including installation), depending on its size, thickness, and quality. On average, though, you’ll pay between $10 and $16 per square foot of slate tile. Larger, thicker slate tile costs more per square foot because it’s heavier, trickier to work with, and pricier to transport.
Slate slabs, on the other hand, range from $15 to $40 per square foot (for labor and materials). They’re thicker than tile and are often used for outdoor projects (like patios and walkways).
Cost by Size of Space
As you might expect, larger flooring installations will require more materials and labor—and, as a result, bump up your project costs. Here’s how much you can expect to spend on slate tiles or slabs, based on the amount of space that needs flooring.
| Square Footage | Average Installation Cost (Materials and Labor) |
|---|---|
| 25 | $225–$1,000 |
| 50 | $450–$2,000 |
| 100 | $900–$4,000 |
| 200 | $1,800–$8,000 |
| 300 | $2,700–$12,000 |
| 400 | $3,600–$16,000 |
| 500 | $4,500–$20,000 |
Professional Tile Installer Costs
On average, flooring pros charge between $8 and $12 per square foot to install slate tile. Labor rates vary by location and are steeper in places with a higher cost of living. For example, if you’re in San Francisco, CA, your labor costs will likely be more than they would in Charlotte, NC.
Additional Cost Factors
In addition to the above cost factors, there are some other expenses that you may run into when installing slate flooring.
Flooring Removal
Before you can install new slate tiles, you may need to remove your old flooring. Removal costs will depend on the kind of flooring since certain types require more time—and labor—to remove than others. Your installation estimate should include flooring removal costs, but you should always double-check with your contractor.
| Flooring Type | Average Removal Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Tile | $2–$7 |
| Carpet | $1–$5 |
| Laminate | $2–$3 |
Underlayment Preparation
Your slate flooring will sit on top of the underlayment, which is made from poured concrete or backer board. If you need to add underlayment, it will cost between $2 and $6 per square foot.
Subfloor Preparation and Repairs
Your contractor will check whether or not your subfloor is sturdy enough to support the weight of slate tiles. If it’s damaged or in bad shape, you’ll need to account for the price of subfloor repair or replacement, which adds $3 to $10 per square foot to your total project cost.
Outdoor Prep Work
If you plan to use slate flooring for an outdoor patio, you may need to complete some extra prep work. Depending on the condition of your yard, you might have to budget for the following expenses:
| Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Lawn regrading | $980–$2,960 |
| Land excavation | $50–$200 per cubic yard |
| Tree removal | $750 |
| Landscaping | $1,250–$6,050 |
DIY Slate Flooring Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
By tackling this job yourself instead of hiring a pro, you could save $8 to $12 per square foot in labor. This means you’d spend $400 to $1,000 to install slate flooring in a 100-square-foot room rather than the $1,200 to $2,200 you’d pay a pro to do it.
However, slate flooring installation involves numerous complicated steps, including measuring your space, ordering the correct amount of tile and tiling materials, cutting and setting tile, and applying grout. If you make a mistake DIYing, it will be expensive to correct, but a pro is much less likely to make costly errors thanks to their experience. Plus, you’ll need a fairly extensive list of tiling tools and supplies, such as a wet saw, notched trowel, rubber mallet, and grout float.
If that sounds like more work than you want to take on, contact a local tile floor installer to handle the job for you.
Slate Flooring Replacement vs. Repair
Not sure whether to replace or repair slate flooring in your home? There are a few factors to consider, including the exact issue, the extent of the damage, and your budget.
For example, let’s say you added slate flooring to your bathroom five years ago, but now, it has a handful of broken tiles. Rather than spending thousands on a new floor, you can use epoxy to fix them yourself for less than $50. Otherwise, hiring a pro to fix cracked bathroom tile costs $130 to $500.
However, if your slate flooring is decades old and most of the tiles are damaged or stained, it’s probably not worth pulling up and replacing every individual tile. Instead, you might consider replacing the whole floor. For an average-sized bathroom of 40 square feet, you’re looking at a cost of $360 to $1,600, depending on the quality of the materials.
How to Save Money on Slate Flooring Installation
Slate can be pricey to install, but fortunately, there are ways to save on the price of slate flooring installation. Here are a few cost-cutting strategies to try:
Remove old flooring yourself: To save time and reduce your labor expenses, consider pulling up old flooring before your installer arrives. For example, removing a tile floor on your own can save you $2 to $7 per square foot—or $200 to $700 for a 100-square-foot space.
Compare prices: Before hiring a slate flooring installer, shop around and request pricing from multiple contractors. Once you have at least three quotes, compare them to make sure you’re getting a competitive price.
Buy in bulk: When you’ve figured out how much slate you need, you may be able to save money by purchasing a case of slate tile that covers 10 square feet of flooring. Many home improvement stores have these cases for around $30 each.
Does Installing Slate Flooring Increase Home Value?
Yes, replacing old or damaged floors with new slate flooring can boost your home’s resale value. In fact, if you upgrade slate flooring as part of a kitchen or bathroom renovation, you could see a fairly lucrative return on investment (ROI). On average, small kitchen remodels deliver a 72% ROI, while minor bathroom remodels have a 60% ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Slate floors don’t need much maintenance, but they should be sealed once per year. Otherwise, they can absorb liquids and moisture, which may weaken them and lead to stains. It’s also best to sweep slate floors daily, mop with a pH-neutral floor cleaner weekly, clean up any spills as quickly as possible, and use rugs or mats in high-traffic areas.
Slate is pricier than many other flooring materials, but it’s not the most expensive option on the market. For example, at $10 to $16 per square foot, slate flooring costs more than vinyl ($2 to $14 per square foot) and porcelain ($3 to $10 per square foot). However, it’s not quite as expensive as high-end marble flooring, which can cost up to $60 per square foot.