Cost calculator
Tiling cost calculator
Tiling is priced per square metre, but the rate depends far more on tile format and setting out than on the tile itself. Large-format porcelain and mosaic sit at opposite ends of the labour scale.
Combined wall and floor area to be tiled.
Broad trade availability keeps day rates near the national average.
Estimated range, ex VAT
£1,000 – £2,700
- Labour (typical)
- £1,200
- Materials (typical)
- £650
Guidance only. A real quotation depends on site conditions, specification and access — which is exactly what an independent review of your own quote will tell you.
What affects the cost
Tile format
Standard 300x600 is quickest. Large-format needs levelling systems and two people; mosaic and patterned tiles need far more setting out.
Substrate preparation
Tile backer board, tanking in wet areas, and levelling floors before any tile is laid.
Cutting complexity
Cut-outs around pipes, niches, corners and inset borders all take time.
Adhesive and grout system
Rapid-set, flexible and epoxy grout systems cost more and are needed for underfloor heating and wet rooms.
Room type
Wet rooms and shower enclosures require tanking and fall formation, which is priced separately.
Regional pricing differences
Materials cost roughly the same everywhere in the UK; labour does not. Use the region selector above to apply a local index — London and the South East typically run 15–30% above the national average, while the North East, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire sit below it.
Labour vs materials
Roughly 65% of this type of work is labour and 35% materials. Labour is typically £35–£70 per m² for walls and floors, more for large format, mosaic or patterned layouts.
Common hidden costs
- Tanking membrane in shower areas, missing from many low quotes.
- Removing old tiles and making good the wall behind — frequently a re-plaster.
- Silicone sealing and trims, sometimes charged as extras.
- 10% waste allowance on tile orders, which you pay for even if the tiler does not fit it.
How to save money
- Choose a rectified 300x600 or 600x600 porcelain — good value in both material and labour.
- Tile only the wet zones full height and paint the remaining walls.
- Avoid herringbone and metro-with-contrast-grout unless you want the extra labour cost.
- Buy all tiles in one batch to avoid shade variation and a second delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tiling cost per m²?
£45–£110 per m² fitted in 2026 including adhesive and grout, excluding the tiles themselves in some quotes — check which.
Is labour or tile the bigger cost?
Usually labour, unless you have chosen a premium tile above about £60/m².
How long does tiling a bathroom take?
Three to six days for a typical bathroom including preparation, tiling, grouting and sealing.
Do I need tile backer board?
In showers and wet rooms it is strongly recommended, and it is required by most tanking system warranties.
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