By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
Backsplash installation cost in South Florida runs $1,750–$3,000 for a typical 30–50 sq ft kitchen in straight-lay field tile, $22–$29 per sq ft for labor and setting materials with the tile supplied by the owner. Herringbone and zellige move it to $30–$40 per sq ft, and a porcelain slab backsplash runs $3,750–$7,500 with the slab included. Most backsplashes are done as part of J. Perry & Sons kitchen renovation work, but we also install them on their own after new countertops go in.
Backsplash installation cost by material and layout
| Backsplash | Typical area | Installed range |
|---|---|---|
| Subway or field tile, straight or offset lay | 30–50 sq ft | $22–$29 per sq ft ($1,750–$3,000) |
| Herringbone or chevron, 2x8 or 3x12 | 30–50 sq ft | $30–$40 per sq ft |
| Zellige or handmade tile, 4x4 or 2x6 | 30–50 sq ft | $30–$40 per sq ft |
| Large-format porcelain, 24x48, few joints | 30–50 sq ft | $26–$36 per sq ft |
| Porcelain slab, counter to upper cabinets | 25–40 sq ft | $3,750–$5,750 with slab |
| Porcelain slab, full height behind range to ceiling | 40–60 sq ft | $5,000–$7,500 with slab |
| Quartzite slab backsplash matching the countertop | 25–40 sq ft | +$3,500–$5,250 over the counter price |
| Remove old backsplash and repair drywall | any | $350–$750 |
| Minimum charge for a small backsplash | under 25 sq ft | $750–$1,000 |
Tile ranges include layout, thinset, grout, Schluter or bullnose edges, outlet box extenders and silicone at the counter. Slab ranges include the material at mid-range pricing, fabrication, outlet cutouts and installation. Electrical changes, under-cabinet lighting and paint touch-up are quoted as separate lines.
Why two backsplashes of the same size price differently
The area of a backsplash is small, so the labor per square foot is driven by the number of interruptions, not the wall. A 40 sq ft backsplash with six outlets, a window return, a range hood and two cabinet ends that stop at different heights has more cuts than a 60 sq ft wall with one outlet. Each outlet needs a box extender and four clean cuts; each window return needs a mitered or trimmed outside corner.
Tile size works in both directions. A 3x12 subway goes up quickly per tile but has hundreds of tiles. A 24x48 porcelain panel has almost no joints but needs two people, a perfectly flat wall and a cut around every outlet that cannot chip. Pattern is the other driver. Straight and offset lay are the base price. Herringbone needs a centerline, a waste factor of 15–20% and cuts at every edge; see the herringbone tile cost guide for how that adds up on floors and walls.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Send a photo of the kitchen wall from counter to cabinets and we'll give you a same-day range.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
How we install a kitchen backsplash
- Countertops first. The backsplash sits on the finished counter, so stone is installed and sealed before tile starts. A tile backsplash over an old counter that will be replaced later gets damaged on tear-out.
- Wall prep. Old tile comes off with the drywall paper damaged, so we skim or replace the drywall. The wall is checked with a straightedge; large-format tile and slab need it flat within 1/8" over the run.
- Layout. The centerline is set at the range or sink, the first course starts on a spacer above the counter, and cuts are planned to land at the cabinet ends rather than in the middle of the wall.
- Electrical. Breakers off, covers removed, box extenders installed so the outlets sit flush with the new tile surface.
- Set. Modified thinset for porcelain, white thinset for marble and glass, full coverage on the back of every tile.
- Grout and caulk. Grout the next day, silicone (never grout) at the counter joint and inside corners, so the wall can move without cracking.
- Seal. Natural stone, zellige and cement-based grout get a penetrating sealer.
Materials that hold up in a South Florida kitchen
Humidity is high year-round, and a kitchen backsplash also gets steam, grease and splashes from the sink. Porcelain and glazed ceramic do not absorb any of it. Marble and travertine look good and etch from lemon, tomato and vinegar; honed finishes hide the etching better than polished.
Zellige is glazed terracotta with an uneven face, and it crazes and chips at the edges by design. It is a look people choose for that reason. We seal it before and after grouting. The zellige installation guide explains the extra steps.
Behind the range, a slab or large-format porcelain is the easiest surface to wipe. Grout lines behind a gas cooktop collect grease; epoxy grout fixes that at an upcharge of roughly $3–$4 per sq ft.
Condo kitchens follow the building's work hours, and most associations want our insurance certificate on file before we start even for a backsplash.
Tile vs porcelain slab backsplash
A tile backsplash is the lower number and the easier repair: a cracked tile can be cut out and replaced. A slab backsplash costs more because you pay for a whole slab even if the wall only uses half of it, plus fabrication, but it has no grout lines and can continue the counter pattern up the wall. Many clients choose tile on the long walls and slab only behind the range. Our porcelain slab wall cost guide has the full breakdown.
How long a backsplash takes
- Tile backsplash, 30–50 sq ft, straight lay: 1–2 days plus a grout day
- Herringbone or zellige: 2–3 days plus grouting and sealing
- Slab backsplash: template after the counter, fabrication 5–10 days, install in one day
The kitchen stays usable throughout.
Backsplash installation by city
- Kitchen renovation in Boca Raton
- Kitchen renovation in Fort Lauderdale
- Kitchen renovation in Weston
- Kitchen renovation in Parkland
- Kitchen renovation in Delray Beach
- Kitchen renovation in Coral Gables
- Tile installation in Pembroke Pines
Related guides: Kitchen remodel cost · Quartzite countertop cost · Kitchen island addition cost
Prefer to send photos or plans? Send us your project
Kitchen backsplash cost — FAQ
How much does it cost to install a kitchen backsplash? In South Florida, $1,750–$3,000 for a typical 30–50 sq ft backsplash in subway or field tile, with the tile supplied by the owner. Herringbone, zellige and slab backsplashes cost more.
Can you install a backsplash over existing tile? Sometimes, if the old tile is solidly bonded and flat, but the outlets and the edge where the tile stops under the cabinets get thicker. In most kitchens we remove the old tile and repair the drywall for a cleaner result.
Is a slab backsplash worth the extra cost? For a full-height wall behind a range or a counter with strong veining, yes; it reads as one surface and wipes clean. For a short 18" backsplash with many outlets, tile is the better value.
Does a backsplash need a permit? No. Tile or slab on a kitchen wall is a finish. Moving or adding outlets as part of the job is electrical work and may need a permit, which we pull.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or send photos and rough dimensions through our project form. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.