How much does tiling cost in Hong Kong?
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Key takeaways
- Most tiling jobs in Hong Kong land between HK$2,000–HK$70,000 — known locally as tiling (泥水 works).
- Bathroom re-tiling in Hong Kong flats is non-structural and outside Buildings Department approval, but building management imposes registration, deposits and hacking-hours rules. Waterproofing failures cause inter-flat seepage disputes handled by the FEHD/BD Joint Office, so a flood test before tiling is standard good practice.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Tiling prices by job size in Hong Kong
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen backsplash Tile a standard backsplash, tiles excluded | HK$2,000 | HK$3,500 | HK$6,000 |
| Bathroom floor retile Hack and retile a bathroom floor with waterproofing | HK$8,000 | HK$15,000 | HK$25,000 |
| Full bathroom retile Hack, waterproof, flood test and retile floor plus walls | HK$30,000 | HK$45,000 | HK$70,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per sq ft (labour) | HK$40 | HK$60 | HK$100 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Hong Kong typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a tiling pro in Hong Kong
- Tiling falls under 泥水 (wet trades) in HK renovation quotes — confirm the master's tiling portfolio specifically
- Register works with building management; hacking tiles is restricted to permitted hours
- Confirm waterproofing redo and a flood test for bathroom floors
- Get quotes per sq ft with hacking, disposal and screed itemized
- Licensed disposal of construction waste is required — confirm it's in the price
- Check platform reviews (HKDecoman, Toby)
Red flags
- Bathroom retile without waterproofing or flood test
- Lump-sum quote with no breakdown
- Ignoring management office rules on hacking hours
- Most payment demanded upfront
- No portfolio of grout and cut quality
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to HKD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: HKDecoman renovation price references; HK renovation platform quotes.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a tiling quote?
Confirm five things: substrate prep (levelling, boards), waterproofing in wet areas, adhesive and grout type, cuts and trims (edge profiles), and silicone to finish. Tiles themselves are usually excluded, and removing old tiles is a separate line that can rival the laying cost.
How long does tiling a bathroom take?
A full bathroom (floor plus walls) typically takes 3-5 days: prep and waterproofing first, then setting, then grouting after the adhesive cures. Add days if old tiles must come off or the substrate needs levelling. Rushing cure times is the classic cause of cracked grout later.
Can you tile over existing tiles?
Sometimes — if the old tiles are solidly bonded and the extra height works at doors and fittings, tiling over is legitimate and avoids messy removal. It fails when old tiles are drummy (hollow-sounding) or the wall can't take the weight. A good tiler taps and checks before promising either way.
Why are my new tiles cracking or coming loose?
Almost always substrate or installation, not the tile: movement in the floor, missing expansion joints, adhesive coverage too thin (spot-dabbing), or tiling over a drummy layer. Cracked single tiles from impact are replaceable if you kept spares — always keep a box.
Do wet areas need waterproofing before tiling?
Yes — tiles and grout are not waterproof; the membrane behind them is. Most countries mandate or strongly standardize wet-area waterproofing, and it must cure before tiling. If a bathroom quote doesn't mention waterproofing, that is the question to ask before anything else.
How much does it cost to remove old tiles?
Removal is priced per square metre and depends on what's underneath: tiles on board come off fast, tiles on thick sand-cement beds are slow, noisy demolition work. Budget for substrate repairs after removal — you rarely know the wall or floor condition until tiles are off.
Should I buy the tiles or does the tiler supply them?
Either works, but you usually choose and buy tiles yourself and the tiler supplies adhesive, grout and trims. Order 10-15% extra for cuts and breakage (more for patterns and large formats) and keep leftovers for future repairs. Have tiles on site before the tiler starts.
What does retiling cost in Hong Kong?
Tiling labour runs roughly HK$40-90 per sq ft depending on format, with a full bathroom hack-and-retile including waterproofing commonly HK$30,000-60,000 in a typical flat. Quotes are per sq ft — always get the measured area in writing.
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