How much does tiling cost in United Kingdom?
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Key takeaways
- Most tiling jobs in United Kingdom land between £200–£4,500 — known locally as tiling.
- Tiling is unlicensed in the UK; British Standard BS 5385 governs good practice, and tanking wet areas is the key standard to insist on. TTA (The Tile Association) membership is a useful quality signal.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Tiling prices by job size in United Kingdom
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen splashback Tile a standard splashback (~3 m²), tiles excluded | £200 | £350 | £600 |
| Bathroom floor Prep and tile an average bathroom floor | £350 | £600 | £1,000 |
| Full bathroom retile Strip, tank and retile floor plus shower walls | £1,500 | £2,800 | £4,500 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per m² (labour) | £30 | £45 | £70 |
| per day | £200 | £260 | £350 |
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 United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom
- Check reviews on Checkatrade or MyBuilder with photos of grout lines and cuts
- Confirm tanking (waterproofing) is included for showers and wet rooms
- Ask for public liability insurance
- Agree substrate prep: overboarding old walls, self-levelling floors, decoupling matting on timber floors
- Get the quote per m² with adhesive, grout and trims itemized
- Confirm old tile removal and disposal as separate lines
Red flags
- Tiling a shower without tanking
- Dot-and-dab adhesive on floor tiles
- Tiling directly onto bare plasterboard in wet zones without membrane
- Day rate with no scope
- No insurance or references
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 GBP, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Checkatrade tiling cost guide; MyBuilder tiler estimates.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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 tiling cost?
Tilers price labour per square metre (or square foot), with tiles, adhesive, grout and prep on top. Small-format ceramic on a flat floor is the base rate; large-format porcelain, natural stone, mosaics, herringbone patterns and wall work all cost more per unit because they are slower and less forgiving.
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.
What does tiling cost per m² in the UK?
Labour typically runs £30-60 per m² for standard formats, more for mosaics, stone and patterns. A full bathroom retile including removal and tanking commonly lands £1,500-4,000 before tiles.
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