Marble flooring is a timeless luxury that can cost anywhere from $1,900 to $5,600. A pro will determine the final cost depending on the quality and size of the installation area.
For a 250-square-foot room, marble flooring typically costs between $1,900 and $5,600 to install, with an average of $3,700. Marble floors can add a timeless, elegant look to any room. Depending on square footage and quality, marble floor costs can vary widely.
Your marble flooring cost will depend on factors such as your location, the size of the room, the type of marble, and more.
The cost of your new floor depends on a wide variety of factors. The cost of many types of flooring, including marble floor costs, relies heavily on square footage.
For professional installation, the price is typically $10 to $20 per square foot. If you want custom designs or top-notch marble, the price will be higher. Basic marble will cost $8 per square foot on the lower end, while specialty marble will cost nearly $50 per square foot.
| Room Size in Square Feet | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| 36 | $288 to $400 |
| 60 | $480 to $3,000 |
| 175 | $1,400 to $8,750 |
| 200 | $1,600 to $10,000 |
Not all marble is the same. The rarity, quarry location, and physical details of each type of marble impact its overall cost. Some types of marble, like Calacatta, which is only found in Italy, are found only in some locations. This can mean they’re limited in availability and more expensive to transport long distances, so they may be more expensive than more common types of marble or ones that are quarried near you.
Marble tiles cost $5 to $10 per square foot, while marble slabs for flooring can cost $10 to $20 per square foot. Marble slabs are thicker and heavier than tiles, making them more expensive. Marble slabs are more commonly used for counters or even walls, while tiles are better suited for flooring.
Marble tile costs can also vary depending on several factors, from the type of marble to the size of the tile.
The quality of marble can help determine the cost. Quality grades are assigned from A to D, based on the appearance of the marble, color consistency, and whether it has blemishes, defects, or flaws.
| Grade of Marble | Cost (per Sq. Ft.) | Grade of Marble Description |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | $19 to $60 | Fewer flaws, subtle veining |
| Grade B | $7 to $25 | More flaws, like visible pitting |
| Grade C | $5 to $15 | More flaws, like fissures |
| Grade D | $3 to $7 | Softer structure, thick veining |
When you think of marble, you probably picture a white slab with light gray veining. But marble comes in a variety of colors, from white to black and many in between, with rarer colors often costing more than white or gray.
| Marble Color | Cost (per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| White | $2 to $10 |
| Green | $5 to $20 |
| Black | $10 to $75 |
| Pink | $25 to $30 |
| Red | $10 to $50 |
| Black | $20 to $75 |
Most marble is set in a straight line, with even slabs or tiles lined up. For most installers, straight-set marble is the most affordable installation pattern. But custom marble patterns like herringbone, mosaic, diamond, and others can cost extra because of the skill and extra time it takes to cut and place the tiles or slabs. If you want your marble flooring set in a specialty pattern, plan to spend 10% to 25% more on labor costs.
Installing polished marble in your bathroom could be a recipe for disaster because this finish can be slippery, especially when wet. Instead, you should consider marble with a tumbled finish, which offers more slip resistance and is ideal for rooms with high moisture.
Tumbled finishes cost more but are worth it for rooms with higher slip risks. Other textured finishes, such as chiseled or flamed marble, can also cost more because of the added labor and time required to create these specialty finishes.
Labor costs vary across cities and regions, and the experience and qualifications of your specific contractor can also make the price higher or lower. It is important to remember that the installation and materials you choose are the most important parts of the job.
If you hire an unqualified installer or one who doesn’t have enough experience with the type of marble you’ve chosen, you could end up with a substandard job. Since marble can be a costly type of flooring, skimping on labor costs could compromise the quality of your job and lower the return on your investment.
When you go to purchase marble slabs or tile for flooring, your supplier will likely show you several common types of marble from which you can choose. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and prices vary due to rarity and quarry locations.
| Type of Marble | Cost (per Sq. Ft.) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Carrara | $5 to $15 | Bright white with gray veins, stains easily |
| Crema Marfil | $10 to $20 | Cream, tan, or beige coloring, cracks may weaken it |
| Calacatta | $13 to $30 | Porous, must be sealed |
| Breccia | $13 to $40 | Dark colors, rarer and harder to find |
| Emperador | $15 to $35 | Light tan stone with spiderweb-like veining, porous |
| Onyx | $20 to $60 | Lightweight, beautiful, but prone to cracking and chipping |
There’s more to consider than just the cost of the materials and installation when you choose marble, including the pros and cons of marble floors. There are also auxiliary costs to installation and maintenance. Here’s what you need to know:
You’ll need to remove furniture from rooms where you’re installing marble flooring. If you have a lot of furniture or heavy furniture, it can be a big task to move and store it. Some flooring companies will move furniture for you, either as part of the job cost or at an extra cost. Expect this to cost $25 to $75 per room, but ask your contractor about their policies and fees for removing furniture.
Because marble flooring must have a level, solid subfloor beneath it, you will need to remove your old flooring, like hardwood floors, before installing the marble. If you can do it yourself, you will likely only need to invest in tools you need for removal and possibly dump fees. If you’re hiring a pro to do it, the cost will depend on the type of flooring and flooring transition strips they’re removing.
Carpet removal: $1 to $2 per square foot
Tile removal: $2 to $7 per square foot
Hardwood floor removal: $2 to $5 per square foot
Laminate floor removal: $0.60 to $4 per square foot
Marble is heavy, and it can crack if it’s not well supported by a thick subfloor. If your subfloor needs to be replaced or repaired, the time to do it is before you install expensive new flooring. Hiring a pro to repair your existing subfloor can cost $2 to $10 per square foot, and you can expect to pay $10 to $60 per square foot for flooring joist repairs. Subfloor replacement will cost $3 to $10 per square foot, depending on labor and the thickness and type of materials.
You may be able to reuse your old trim or baseboards, but if they’re damaged or don’t meet your design goals, you'll need to replace them. Budget for $3 to $12 per linear foot for materials and installation, depending on the quality, material, size, and complexity of the trim or baseboards you choose.
Marble usually comes with a complimentary polished finish, but if you want a custom finish, there are many to choose from, like honed (smooth, velvety), tumbled (buffed), brushed (worn, silky), sawed/distressed/raw (rough, course, dull), chiseled (deep, uneven grooves), sandblasted (smooth-textured), and bush-hammered (rugged, uniform pitting). Each has a cost, ranging from approximately $10 to $35 per square foot on top of the price of the marble itself.
Since it’s a natural stone that’s porous, you’ll need to seal your new marble floors to help them resist liquids, staining, and scratching. You should have your floors sealed as soon as they’re installed and then regularly throughout their lives as scratches and natural wear and tear break down the sealant. This is a process you can do yourself or hire a pro to do. If you hire it out, you can expect to pay $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot, depending on the location, type of marble, and type of sealant.
Marble floors are beautiful, but they can feel cold, especially in colder climates and during the winter months. Fortunately, radiant heating pairs well with marble floors. Marble conducts heat well, making radiant heating very effective and efficient to warm the floors and your whole home. You’ll need to install the radiant heating system before you install your floors, and you should budget between $10 and $90 per square foot, depending on the type of radiant heat system you choose and other details of your job.
Installing marble floors yourself can save you between $3 and $10 per square foot on labor costs. However, marble floor installation presents unique challenges that many DIYers may not want to take on.
Marble slabs and tiles are fragile and prone to breakage during installation, so the project should be left to experienced professionals.
If you do attempt it yourself, it’s best to choose marble tiles rather than slabs since slabs are much more fragile. Choosing tiles that are already mounted on a gridded backing will also help prevent them from breaking and will make the job easier.
Equipment will cost $300 to $450, depending on what you have on hand versus what you need. Those items may include the following:
Safety equipment (goggles, a respirator, work gloves, knee pads, hearing protection)
Cutting tools (wet saw, utility knife)
Setting tools and materials (level, chalk line, tape measure, thin-set mortar, trowels, spacers)
Finishing materials (grout, grout float, sealant)
All of this is on top of the cost of the marble material, which you’ll need to carefully measure and estimate so that you don’t have too much but also don’t run short during the job.
When ordering flooring materials, first measure the square footage of the floor space. You may need to add an extra 10% for wastage during the installation process. A flooring pro can provide guidance for more challenging layouts or stairs.
As tempting as it might be, unless you’re a skilled flooring installer with experience setting tile and stone flooring, don’t attempt to install marble floors yourself to save money. On the contrary, this could actually cost you more if you damage the expensive product. How to install marble flooring is nothing like how to install linoleum flooring or other types of flooring, and your inexperience could be costly.
Marble tiles, and especially marble slabs, are fragile and must be set correctly on the correct subflooring or they will crack, chip, or fracture. They’re also difficult to cut to size during tiling. Trying to save money by DIYing with an expensive material may end up costing you more than hiring a pro if you need to replace broken slabs or tiles. Instead, call local flooring companies that have experience installing marble flooring.
Marble flooring simply isn’t a low-budget item, and while you can take a few steps to save money on installation costs, if it’s still too costly for your budget, you may need to consider a different material. That said, here are ways to get the look you want without breaking the bank.
Different types of marble and different marble materials have a variety of price points; you may be able to find marble that gives you the look you want at a lower cost if you’re willing to be flexible. Consider Carrara, Crema Marfil, or other less-expensive types of marble. You can also save money by choosing a lower grade of marble that still meets your quality needs.
Talk with your marble supplier about budget-friendly options that may be marked down because they have less marbling, uneven coloring, or slight damage. Look for mesh-backed tiles or lower-quality tiles that have holes filled with resin. These materials can still look great even though they may be more prone to cracking or need to be placed in lower-traffic locations.
If you don’t have a huge space to cover and want to dress it up with a luxury material like marble, you may have luck shopping at a bargain store, the remnant section of a local stone supplier, or sourcing reclaimed marble that’s been removed from another building. While the amounts and selection will be more limited, you may just score a bargain that looks like a million bucks.
It might seem counterintuitive, but hiring a more expensive installer might actually save you money. If the contractor charges more per hour but is faster than a less-skilled installer, the job will likely take less time and can end up costing less. You also are less likely to end up with broken tiles or a low-quality installation if you hire someone who knows what they’re doing.
Unless you’re a pro with experience laying marble floors, go with professional installation to protect your investment in more costly materials. The job will go faster, the installation will be higher quality, and you’ll know it was done correctly.
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Most marble floors last at least 25 years, and they can last forever with proper care and maintenance. As a natural stone product, they have the edge when it comes to lasting longer than synthetic or softer materials, but they can become damaged. Grit and dirt that gets ground into the surface will wear away the layers of stone over time, so cleaning and routine maintenance are necessary. In particular, regular sweeping and annual polishing and sealing will keep them looking beautiful and prevent wear and damage.
Yes, marble floors do increase home values. In fact, if you install marble flooring in your home, you can expect to double your investment. Homebuyers love marble, like other types of stone flooring, because it’s timeless, beautiful, wears well, and is considered a luxury product. Marble is expensive to install, but if your house and location attract buyers looking for luxurious, upscale vibes, adding marble flooring can only raise your property value and give you a great return on your investment.
Marble floors can crack if you aren’t careful, especially if the floors haven’t been properly installed or maintained. Marble does not withstand impact well, so falling objects like pots and pans can crack the material. Certain environmental conditions can also lead to cracks, such as excess humidity and severe temperature fluctuations. If you notice a crack, address it promptly to keep the issue from spreading.
Marble is high maintenance, like most other types of natural stone flooring. However, because it is naturally a more porous stone, there are a few added care instructions. You will need to clean it often to prevent dirt and grit from scratching the finish and surface, keep it dry, clean up spills immediately, and have it professionally sealed and refinished at least once a year to maintain the shine and water-tight surface. However, investing in maintenance is a smart move because marble floors are among the most beautiful and valuable types of flooring when properly cared for.
