Tile Installation Contractor in the Greater Seattle Area

Element Construction is a licensed and insured tile installation contractor based in Auburn, WA. We install tile floors, shower walls, tub surrounds, kitchen backsplashes and fireplaces for homeowners across the Greater Seattle Area and North Pierce County. Each project gets one dedicated crew that handles the prep, waterproofing, setting and grout, so the work underneath the tile is done as carefully as the work you can see.

Whether you need a single bathroom floor retiled or tile through an entire remodel, you'll have one team that's accountable for the result. Request a free quote or call(206) 771-7744.

Who We Are: Your Local Tile Installation Contractor

Element Construction is a family trade business. Owner Anton Tereshchenkov grew up working beside his dad, starting with summer flooring jobs and learning the craft from the ground up. Ten years later, the company is a licensed and insured remodeler that completes more than a hundred jobs a year, and tile installation is one of our core trades.

Good tile work comes down to patience: a flat surface, a planned layout and a waterproofing system that isn't rushed. Your project gets its own crew, the same people from the first day to the last, and the owners stay involved so you always know who to call.

Who We Work With

• Homeowners replacing cracked, loose or dated tile floors
• Homeowners who've already picked their tile and need an experienced installer
• Families updating a kitchen with a new backsplash or tile floor
• Homeowners fixing a leaking or moldy tiled shower the right way
• Sellers refreshing tile before listing their home

What Our Tile Installation Services Include

From a small entry floor to every surface in a bathroom, we plan the layout, prep and finish details together so the tile looks right and stays put.

Tile Floors

We install porcelain, ceramic and natural stone floors in bathrooms, kitchens, entries, mudrooms and laundry rooms. Every floor starts with a check of the subfloor, because flex and uneven spots are what crack tile and grout. Tile can also be part of a larger flooring installation project.

Shower and Tub Surround Tile

Tiled showers and tub surrounds need more than tile and grout. We build a complete waterproofing system behind the tile, with properly sloped floors, niches and benches. If your shower is part of a bigger project, see our bathroom remodeling services.

Kitchen Backsplashes

A new backsplash is one of the quickest ways to update a kitchen. We install subway, herringbone, mosaic, large-format and full-height designs with clean cuts around outlets and finished edges. Learn more about our kitchen backsplash installation.

Large-Format Porcelain and Slab-Look Tile

Large tiles, from 24 by 24 inches up to 24 by 48 inches and beyond, give you fewer grout lines and a modern look, but they need a very flat surface. We level the substrate, back-butter each tile and use leveling clips to keep the edges flush.

Mosaic and Natural Stone

Marble, travertine, slate and mosaic tile take extra care in cutting, setting and sealing. We plan the layout so patterns line up and the cuts land where they look intentional.

Heated Tile Floors

Radiant heat under tile makes a bathroom comfortable through a Seattle winter. We install the heating mat with the tile and coordinate the electrical work as part of your project.

Fireplace Surrounds and Accent Walls

Tile can turn a plain fireplace or wall into a focal point. We install tile surrounds, hearths and feature walls using materials rated for the location.

What Separates a Good Tile Job From a Bad One

Most tile problems have nothing to do with the tile itself. They come from what happened before the first tile went down:

• A flat, solid base: we fix subfloor flex and uneven spots first, so tiles don't crack or rock and the edges don't sit out of line with each other.
• A planned layout: we dry-lay and measure so you don't end up with thin slivers at doorways or crooked lines along the most visible wall.
• Real waterproofing in wet areas: grout isn't waterproof. Showers and tub surrounds get a continuous waterproof membrane behind the tile.
• Full mortar coverage: each tile is fully bedded so there are no hollow spots to crack later.
• Movement joints: flexible joints at corners and along walls let the tile expand and contract without cracking.

Tile Installation Across the Greater Seattle Area and North Pierce County

We're based in Auburn, which puts our crews within easy reach of King County and North Pierce County. We regularly work in older homes in Seattle, Burien and Tacoma, where old tile is often set in a thick mortar bed over plank subfloors, as well as newer homes in Kent, Maple Valley and Puyallup that need different prep. We install tile in these communities:

• Auburn

• Bellevue

• Burien

• Des Moines

• Federal Way

• Issaquah

• Kent

• Kirkland

• Lakewood

• Maple Valley

• Puyallup

• Redmond

• Renton

• Sammamish

• SeaTac

• Seattle

• Shoreline

• Spanaway

• Tacoma

• University Place

Don't see your city? We regularly work in nearby communities too. Contact us and we'll let you know if we can take on your project.

How Your Tile Project Works

1. Free estimate. We visit your home, measure the space, check the existing surface and talk through the look you want.
2. Tile selection and layout. Choose your tile, or bring us what you've picked, and we'll plan the pattern, trim and grout color together.
3. Written estimate and schedule. You get clear pricing with demolition, prep and waterproofing listed, plus a start date, before any work begins.
4. Prep and install. Your dedicated crew protects your home, removes the old surface, preps and waterproofs, then sets and grouts the tile.
5. Final walkthrough. We clean up, seal grout where needed and walk the finished tile with you.

How Much Does Tile Installation Cost in Seattle?

Installed tile in the Seattle area typically costs about $14 to $30 per square foot, including tile, setting materials, prep and labor. Labor alone usually starts around $11 to $17 per square foot for ceramic and porcelain and runs higher for natural stone, mosaics and large-format tile. Based on 2026 Seattle-area pricing published by local tile contractors and cost guides, typical projects fall into these ranges:

• Bathroom floor (40 to 60 square feet): roughly $1,000 to $2,800
• Kitchen backsplash (30 to 40 square feet): roughly $1,000 to $2,500
• Kitchen floor (120 to 200 square feet): roughly $2,500 to $6,000
• Tub surround: roughly $3,500 to $6,500
• Fully tiled walk-in shower: roughly $8,500 to $15,000 or more

These are market ranges, not a quote. The biggest cost drivers are tile size and pattern, demolition of old tile, subfloor and wall prep and waterproofing in wet areas. Your written estimate spells out exactly what's included.

Built for Pacific Northwest Moisture

In our damp climate, water is the enemy of tile. Water that gets past the grout soaks into the wall or subfloor behind it and leads to rot, mold and loose tile, often years before anything shows on the surface. That's why every tiled shower and tub surround we build gets a continuous waterproof membrane and properly sloped surfaces, and why we use the right grout and sealer for each area. These details don't show up in photos, but they decide whether your tile still looks new in fifteen years.

Tile Installation FAQs

• How much does tile installation labor cost per square foot in Seattle?

  Labor for standard ceramic and porcelain tile in the Seattle area generally starts around $11 to $17 per square foot. Mosaics, natural stone, large-format tile and patterns like herringbone take longer and cost more. Prep work such as demolition, leveling and waterproofing is priced separately, and your written estimate lists each item.

• Can I buy my own tile?

  Yes. Many homeowners pick their tile from a showroom or tile shop. Before you order, let us look at your selection so we can confirm the right setting materials and trim and make sure you order enough to cover cuts, pattern waste and a few spares for future repairs.

• Can you install new tile over existing tile?

  Occasionally, but we rarely recommend it. Tiling over tile only works if the old tile is flat and firmly bonded and the added height won't cause problems at doors, cabinets and transitions. In wet areas like showers we always remove the old tile so we can inspect the wall and build new waterproofing.

• How long before I can walk on new tile or use my shower?

  You can usually walk carefully on a tile floor 24 hours after it's set and grouted, and return to normal use within a couple of days. Showers need extra time for the waterproofing, mortar and grout to cure. We'll tell you exactly when it's safe to use, based on the products used in your project.

• Should I choose porcelain or ceramic tile?

  Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water, so it's the better choice for floors, showers and entries. Ceramic is softer, easier to cut and often less expensive, which makes it a good fit for walls and backsplashes. Both look great when they're installed on a flat, properly prepared surface.

• Does grout need to be sealed?

  Standard cement grout should be sealed to resist stains and moisture, and resealed every year or two in busy areas like kitchens and showers. Upgraded grouts, such as epoxy and some urethane or pre-mixed products, don't need sealing. We'll recommend the right grout for each area of your project.

Start Your Tile Project

Ready to plan your tile project? Tell us about it and we'll set up a free estimate. You can also see finished tile work on our Our Work page or meet the Element Construction team.

Get a Free Quote

Trusted By Homeowners Across the Greater Seattle Area

At Element Construction, we take pride in the lasting relationships we've built with our clients over the years. Our commitment to quality and customer service is reflected in the positive feedback we consistently receive. From homeowners to contractors, our clients appreciate our attention to detail, professionalism, and ability to exceed expectations.