Skip to content 
A flooring makeover is a great way to renovate your front foyer floors. For the first time ever, we took on this DIY floors on a budget. As a never done before project my partner and I went out on our own to change the floors by ourselves.
We are also in the process of renovating the floors in other parts of our home. The floors in the front foyer in the picture below are the original tiles from when the house was built, almost 30 years ago. They are in good condition but also outdated.
renovate your front foyer floors
Breaking Down The Cost
Here I break down renovating your front foyer floors on your own at a fraction of the cost. Although there is no step by step process on how the floor changes, at the end there is a breakdown of all the tools used to make this renovation happen. As we know, there are factors to doing this job on our own such as the right skills and tools. We need to know what we are doing.
This is not a project I am able to do on my own. Without the help of my handy partner I am left to find a contractor.
Know what you are doing. Additionally, you need the right equipment and tools to do the work.
This is our first time removing old floors and putting in something new. My assistance was minimal due to limited space.
Nevertheless, I am able to help with the layout, removing everything and putting it back, cleaning and most importantly, accounting. I also assist in choosing what floor tiles to buy. I am able to give a helping hand when needed and my company is appreciated. For the other floors I am able to help out a little more. Coming soon.
The total square feet of the front foyer and the other space where the new tiles are also placed is 220 sq ft. The front foyer is about 60 sq. ft. I want the floors in these two areas to be the same style while having a different kind of floor in the hallway and our living room.
The Cost To Upgrade Floors
The price of nice tiles usually starts around the $4.00/sq. ft. mark. It can easily go up to $15.00/sq. ft. Depending on how nice and fancy you wish to go. I had no intention of a high end look but something basic, clean and practical style for a good price.
**Prices are subject to change as inflation continues to alter the cost.**
We want our home to look and feel comfortable and cozy while also clean and up to date. Had the intent been to go high end I would have changed our kitchen cupboards and bought new ones instead. This is not our vision. Our goal is to uplift our place practically, making necessary changes where we feel it is needed. There are a lot of rooms in our space that can use an upgrade.
However, everything takes time and money. By changing our floors it will look better than when we bought it.
take out any nails in the floor
remove the old tiles off the floor
The budget was to go between $4.50-$6.00/sq. ft. This is a little higher than the average price. We took into consideration that we are not getting anyone from outside doing it for us so we save on labour. As well as we do not need to purchase any of the equipment, which is another huge savings. The equipment for this task is all from my father-in-law who worked in the skilled trades for many years. His tools sat in storage waiting to be given to us if we ever moved out of our condo.
tiles purchased on sale for front foyer
Fortunately we did and are gifted with everything he planned to give us, which we are are now using it. His help in providing us his tools is a significant cost savings investment for us. Without it we would easily have spent another $2000.00 on tools alone. The tools have not been used in years. This is a great long-term investment for us to take advantage of by doing projects like this.
mix your thinset mortar
renovate your front foyer floors
To point out, all we paid for are the materials. The tiles, mortar and grout. My original estimate for the tiles started around $1600.00, tax included. For the mortar and grout, etc it is an extra $700.00. In total, we were looking at $2300.00. I said the cost of his material is too high. I am sure we can find a better price or sale on mortar. After all it is not something anyone can see. The estimated price per bag was $40.00.
Going to the store however is a different story. You can see what they have and whether anything is on sale. I ended up finding another brand of thinset mortar at $15.00 per bag. It is the same weight and same material just a different company. We bought 6 of these bags. It is a $25 savings per bag. Automatically we save $150.00.
When these stores close down, it is a lot harder getting what you need and at a good price. This kind of sale is not as apparent online, especially for items like thinset mortar.
The grout was $80.00
When looking for tiles, there is a lot we have to choose from. Many of the tiles are sold at $5.00/sq. ft. The ones less in price do not always look as great. However, when you have an eye of an accountant, nice things at a good price show up. The most rewarding part of our project is buying the tiles.
After checking out several different kinds, I finally see the one. It is a style that is discontinuing. This is the last lot of these tiles. The price is reduced to $1.99/sq. ft. This is the one. Eleven boxes later, we have enough to change our front foyer and a second room in the house.
this is the new installation of the tiles
Why Should You Upgrade Your Floors?
The Numbers Add Up
In the end the total cost of this project is under $900.00 for the whole thing, tax included. Upgrading the floors at a discounted price is a huge savings. Even better, this is not the only place we are working on to renovate, so the savings continues as we make more adjustments.
This is a successful project. Not only are we able to save a significant amount of money on the purchase of the tiles and materials, we have raised the value of our home along the way. The new change brings in a whole different energy when you enter our home. The front foyer looks completely different and much better.
This project takes one weekend and a few weekdays. A total of six days from start to finish.
The Following Tools Are What You Need For This Project
- SDS hammer drill with chipping action c/w a flat chisel bit to remove the old ceramic tiles. ($20 for a hammer. However, this tool is approximately $300.00)
- Hammer, pry bar, pliers, measuring tape, pencil, and straight edge. Average $100.00
- Circular saw: to cut the 1/4″ plywood sub-floor into 2ft x 2ft grid so that it could be pried up. This is the sub (floor to which the linoleum was attached to-the original floor). Average $100.00
- Cordless drill to screw down the sub-floor and keep it from creaking-$100.00 $120.00
- Mixer with mixing paddle, 5gal buckets, extension cord. Between $180.00-$200.00
- Grinder with diamond blade. Around $120.00-$140.00
- Wet tile saw About $150.00-$200.00
- 1/2″ x 1/2″ square notched trowel $20.00-$40.00
- Grout float $20.00-$30.00
- Compressor, 18 gauge brad nailer, air hose: to reattach any trim like quarter round and baseboard. Alternatively, use a hammer and some finish nails. Between $180.00-200.00
- Miter saw (or miter box c/w hand saw) to recut any trim as needed. Be careful how you remove trim. It is best to expect that some of trim will break or get damaged. From $40.00-$300.00
renovate your front foyer floors
In Summary
These tools are not a one time use only purchase. They are useful for several projects throughout your house. They are investments, especially for those who know how to use them properly. There is more use these tools provide as we continue to work on more projects. A flooring makeover is just one of them.
**This post has been previously published and is updated for 2023**
Read up on upgrading your middle washroom floors and upgrading your kitchen floors to learn how far these tools and materials can go.
Leave a comment and tell me what you think.
Related Topics:
Green Thumb
I am the founder of Everything Handmade. I am helping others become self-sufficient using their own hands. This website is sharing DIY home renovations, gardening vegetables in the city, cooking our own meals and building a solid foundation in times of economic instability.
Please purchase an Authentic Homemade Vegetarian Cookbook. My book is to help inspire readers cook delicious vegetarian meals at a low cost. The second book is called The Complete Meatless Lifestyle Vegetarian Cookbook Volume 2, available on Amazon.
Thank you for your support.
