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Tiling

Tiling estimate.

Tiling prices vary dramatically with tile size, material, pattern, and substrate. This guide covers the factors that matter and the costs that are commonly missed.

Authored by Alexandr Vreme & Maksym Vasylkov
Published July 2026 — Next review July 2027

Who this guide is for

This guide is for tilers, bathroom fitters, and builders estimating wall and floor tiling work. It covers domestic bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and utility rooms.

Information needed

• Area in square metres — walls (perimeter × height) and floors separately
• Tile size and material (ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass mosaic)
• Substrate type: plasterboard, cement board, existing tiles, screeded floor
• Pattern: brick bond, herringbone, diagonal, or straight set
• Trim and edging profile requirements
• Underfloor heating specification, if applicable

Pricing factors

Tiling rates are not a flat price per m². Key variables:

• Tile size — small mosaics (under 100 mm) and large-format (over 600 mm) both cost more to fix due to slower working speed
• Tile type — porcelain is harder to cut than ceramic, natural stone needs sealing
• Pattern complexity — herringbone and diagonal layouts create more cuts and waste
• Height — wall tiling above 2.4 m may need tower or hop-up working

Typical fitting rates

• Standard wall tiles (300 × 600 mm and similar): £30–50/m²
• Floor tiles (straight set): £35–55/m²
• Large format (600 × 600 mm and above): £45–70/m²
• Mosaic sheets: £50–80/m²
• Herringbone or feature patterns: £55–85/m²

Commonly missed costs

• Tanking to wet areas — £8–15/m², often missed in shower zones
• Movement joints — required every 8–10 m on floors and at changes of plane
• Quadrants, coving, or beading at internal and external corners
• Underfloor heating — testing the loops before and during tiling
• Adhesive and grout — sometimes included in the rate, sometimes charged separately
• Tile trim and edging profiles — up to several pounds per linear metre depending on finish

Miniature worked example

A bathroom with 25 m² wall tiling and 5 m² floor tiling, standard 300 × 600 mm tiles:

• Tanking to shower area: £300
• Wall tiling (25 m² × £48): £1,200
• Floor tiling (5 m² × £50): £250
• Trim and edging: £80
• Adhesive and grout: £50
• Total: £1,880 (excluding tiles)

Questions to ask

• Is the substrate flat and prepared, or does it need boarding / plastering first?
• Are the tiles rectified-edged (for minimal grout lines) or standard?
• Is there an existing tile to be removed, or are we tiling onto fresh plasterboard?
• Who is providing the adhesive, grout, and trim — tiler or client?
• Does the floor need to be trafficable within a certain time (e.g., same-day use)?