Kitchen backsplashes in Stoneham and towns north and west of Boston
Tile backsplash installation for the kitchen you have
Step 1 of 6
What do you want done in your kitchen?
Pick the closest one.
New tile behind the stove and sink, set on a wall prepared for it. Tell us what you want to change and we'll price it with a free estimate.
- Free estimates on every kitchen
- Backsplashes and tile floors
- Based in Stoneham
What a kitchen backsplash installation covers
The backsplash is the wall between the countertop and the upper cabinets, plus the run behind the range. It takes splashes, grease and steam every day, so the tile and the wall behind it both matter.
Most people come to us when the counters are new or about to be, or when the old tile behind the stove shows years of cooking. We tile new backsplashes to suit the kitchen you have, or as one layer of a full kitchen remodel.
How older houses here change the job
- Plaster walls in Victorians are rarely flat, so the wall is checked before any layout is set.
- Outlets and switches inside the tiled area need their boxes brought out so covers sit flush. Electrical work in Massachusetts needs a licensed electrician, and your estimate says who does it.
- Range-hood ducts through outside walls need sealing where the tile meets them.
- In houses built before 1978, lead-safe rules apply once paid work disturbs more than 6 sq ft of painted surface in a room.
Ceramic vs porcelain backsplash, and the other choices
Behind a sink or range, the questions are how the tile handles water and grease and how much care it asks for.
| Compared | Ceramic | Porcelain | Glass | Natural stone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takes water and steam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Once sealed |
| Needs sealing | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipes clean of grease | Yes | Yes | Shows smudges | Depends on finish |
| Easy to cut around outlets | Yes | Harder, it's denser | Needs care | Varies by stone |
| Look | Widest range of glazes | Can mimic stone | Reflects light | Every piece differs |
Grout lines need the same care whatever the tile. On light grout behind a range, a sealed or stain-resistant grout makes cleaning easier.
What your backsplash estimate lists
Each item is written down, so you can see what the price includes before you agree to it.
If something behind the old tile changes the work, we tell you what it is and what it costs before going further.
In the install
- Measuring the wall and planning the layout
- Taking off the old backsplash where there is one
- Preparing the wall surface for tile
- Setting tile and edge or trim pieces
- Grouting and caulking the counter joint
- Cleaning up the work area
Priced separately, stated in writing
- Moving or adding outlets and switches
- Repairing damaged plaster or drywall
- Lead-safe work in pre-1978 houses
- New countertops or cabinets
- Kitchen floor tile
From choosing tile to the finished wall
A backsplash goes in after the countertops, because the tile sits on them.
Tell us about your kitchen
Use the form to give your town, what you want tiled and any photos of the wall.
Get your free estimate
We look at the wall, the outlets and the counters and price the backsplash you want, at no cost.
Choose tile and layout
You pick the tile, grout colour and pattern. Busier patterns and small mosaics take more time to set.
Prepare the wall
On the day, counters are covered, power to the outlets is off, old tile comes down and the wall is made ready.
Set, grout and seal
Tile goes up, then grout and caulk along the counter. Covers go back on and the kitchen is yours again.
Where the backsplash sits in your kitchen
Each layer rests on the one below. The backsplash goes in after the counters and before the last fixtures.
Floor
Tile floors go down first or are protected during the work. In older houses, it is worth knowing what lies under an old floor before it comes up.
Cabinets
Base and upper cabinets set the height and width of the backsplash. New cabinets often take 8 to 14 weeks to arrive.
Read about kitchen cabinet installation
Countertop
The tile sits on the counter, so the counters go in first. Quartz or granite is usually the first question.
Backsplash
Tile runs from counter to cabinets and behind the range. Wall prep, outlet boxes and grout choice decide how it lasts.
Sink and faucet
The last fixtures go in once the tile is grouted. Sinks on outside walls of older houses need planning for cold winters.
See how sinks fit a full kitchen remodel
Questions about backsplash tile and installation
Straight answers on cost, walls and tile choices.
What is the average cost for a tile backsplash installation?
The published local guides we trust price whole kitchens, not backsplashes alone, so we don't quote an average. For scale, Massachusetts kitchen refreshes that include counters and backsplash run roughly $25,000 to $45,000 in those guides. Your free estimate prices your backsplash on its own.
What does backsplash installation cost per square foot, labor included?
Tile backsplash installation cost per square foot depends on the tile, pattern and wall. Small mosaics, glass and natural stone take longer than plain ceramic. Outlet moves, plaster repair and lead-safe work add to the backsplash labor cost per square foot. We price yours after seeing the wall.
Can I install a tile backsplash directly on drywall?
Behind a counter, tile can usually go on drywall that is sound, flat and firmly attached. Old plaster that is cracked or out of plane needs repair first. We check the wall at the estimate and say what prep it needs.
Ceramic vs porcelain backsplash: which suits a busy kitchen?
Both handle water and grease and neither needs sealing. Ceramic comes in more glazes and cuts easily around outlets. Porcelain is denser and can mimic stone. Natural stone needs sealing.
What is kitchen tile floor installation cost around Boston?
One Greater Boston contractor's published guide puts installed tile flooring at about $10 to $20 or more per square foot. That is a guide, not a quote, and older floors can hide work underneath.
Does an older house change backsplash work?
Often. In houses built before 1978, lead-safe rules apply once paid work disturbs more than 6 sq ft of painted surface in a room. Uneven plaster and old outlet boxes also add work. We talk through your house's age at the estimate.
How long does a backsplash take, and when does it happen?
It goes in after the countertops are set. As part of a remodel, cabinet lead times of 8 to 14 weeks set the calendar. Your estimate gives the timing for your kitchen.
Do you install a backsplash without a full remodel?
Yes. We tile new backsplashes to suit the kitchen you have, often with new counters. Tell us in the form what you want changed.
Backsplash installation near me: towns we serve
We work from Stoneham across towns north and west of Boston. Find yours on the service area page.
Not listed? Tell us your town in the form.
Request my free estimate for a backsplash
Tell us your town, the wall you want tiled and any photos. If the counters are changing too, say so.
- We read your request and the photos you send
- We arrange a look at the wall and outlets
- You get a free estimate listing what the price includes
Step 1 of 6
What do you want done in your kitchen?
Pick the closest one.