Tiler prices in the UK (2026 guide)

Use this guide to understand typical tiling work pricing and what affects the total cost before you book.

This hub includes the UK guide plus county and town pages for local context.

UK tiling pricing guide for 2026

Tiling costs in the UK split into labour (£25-£85 per m² depending on complexity) and materials (£10-£100+ per m² depending on tile choice). Most homeowners pay £35-£50 per m² for standard wall or floor tiling labour.

A typical bathroom tiling project (walls and floor, 12-15m² total) costs £800-£1,800 for labour plus £300-£1,500 for tiles and materials. Total project: £1,100-£3,300 depending on tile quality and complexity.

Pricing factors include tile size (large format costs more), pattern complexity (herringbone/mosaics cost 50-100% more than straight laying), surface preparation needed, and location (London 20-40% higher than regions).

At a glance price summary

Standard wall tiling costs £25-£45 per m² for labour, while floor tiling costs £30-£50 per m². Complex patterns, large format tiles, or natural stone increase costs to £40-£85 per m².

Complete room projects are often quoted as fixed prices: bathroom tiling £800-£1,800 labour, kitchen splashback £200-£500 labour, shower enclosure £400-£900 labour.

• Wall tiling labour (standard): £25 to £45 per m²
• Wall tiling labour (complex): £40 to £70 per m²
• Floor tiling labour (standard): £30 to £50 per m²
• Floor tiling labour (large format): £45 to £75 per m²
• Bathroom tiling (labour only): £800 to £1,800
• Kitchen splashback (labour): £200 to £500
• Tile removal: £15 to £35 per m²
• Floor preparation: £10 to £25 per m²

What affects tiling costs the most

• Tile size and format (large 600x600mm+ costs more)
• Laying pattern (straight vs herringbone vs mosaic)
• Tile material (ceramic vs porcelain vs natural stone)
• Surface preparation required (levelling, tanking)
• Room complexity (awkward corners, many cuts)
• Old tile removal needed
• Location (London and cities 20-40% more)
• Access and working conditions
• Wetroom tanking and waterproofing
• Underfloor heating installation

Labour vs materials cost breakdown

For a typical bathroom tiling project (12m² total): labour costs £450-£750 (at £30-£50 per m²), while materials vary dramatically. Budget ceramic tiles cost £120-£250 (£10-£20 per m²), mid-range porcelain £300-£600 (£25-£50 per m²), premium natural stone £600-£1,200 (£50-£100 per m²).

Adhesive, grout, trim, and sealant add £100-£250 for a bathroom. Total project with mid-range tiles: £850-£1,600. With premium tiles: £1,150-£2,200.

Labour typically represents 40-60% of total tiling costs with mid-range tiles, but drops to 30-40% with premium natural stone. Cheap tiles don't save much if labour remains constant - consider spending more on tiles that will last.

Get separate quotes for labour and materials, or supply-and-fit quotes for comparison. Some tilers prefer you supply tiles (letting them focus on installation), others include everything in one price for convenience.

How tile size and pattern affect labour costs

**Standard ceramic tiles (300x300mm)** in straight pattern are quickest to lay at £25-£35 per m². These are the baseline for pricing everything else against.

**Large format tiles (600x600mm to 1200x600mm)** cost £40-£65 per m² labour due to weight, difficulty handling, precision needed for lippage-free finish, and specialist tools required. Faster to cover area but require more skill.

**Mosaic sheets (under 100x100mm)** cost £45-£70 per m² labour as cutting is fiddly, alignment difficult, and grouting takes much longer with thousands of tiny joints. Beautiful but time-intensive.

**Herringbone or brick bond patterns** add 30-50% to labour costs versus straight laying. Diagonal laying adds 20-30%. These patterns require more cuts, more wastage (10-15% vs 5-10%), and greater precision.

**Natural stone tiles** (marble, travertine, slate) cost £45-£85 per m² labour because they're heavy, brittle, require specialized adhesive and grout, need sealing, and mistakes are expensive. Skill level required is higher.

Surface preparation and removal costs

Tiling quotes assume good surfaces. If walls are uneven, floors unlevel, or old tiles need removing, expect additional costs. Always mention preparation needs when getting quotes.

**Tile removal** (£15-£35 per m²) includes breaking up old tiles, removing adhesive, and cleaning surface. Bathroom tile removal for 12m² adds £180-£420 to project. Disposal costs may be extra (£50-£150 skip or waste removal).

**Floor levelling** (£10-£25 per m²) uses self-levelling compound to create flat surface essential for tiles. Uneven floors cause tile breakage and poor finish. For 10m² floor, add £100-£250.

**Wall preparation** may need plasterboard repair (£150-£400), tanking for wet areas (£8-£15 per m²), or priming (£2-£5 per m²). Wetroom tanking for full bathroom adds £200-£400 to ensure waterproofing.

Always get tiler to inspect surfaces before quoting. Photos aren't sufficient. What looks flat to you may need £300 of levelling work discovered when tiles start laying.

Typical project costs breakdown

**Small bathroom (5m² walls, 3m² floor, 8m² total)**: Labour £240-£400, budget tiles £80-£160, adhesive/grout £60-£100. Total: £380-£660. With premium tiles: £620-£1,060.

**Standard bathroom (7m² walls, 5m² floor, 12m² total)**: Labour £360-£600, mid-range tiles £300-£600, materials £120-£200. Total: £780-£1,400. With tile removal and prep: £1,100-£1,900.

**Large bathroom/ensuite (10m² walls, 6m² floor, 16m² total)**: Labour £480-£800, premium tiles £800-£1,600, materials £160-£250. Total: £1,440-£2,650. With wetroom tanking: £1,800-£3,200.

**Kitchen splashback (4m²)**: Labour £120-£200, mid-range tiles £100-£200, materials £40-£60. Total: £260-£460.

**Living room floor (25m² large format porcelain)**: Labour £1,125-£1,875, tiles £625-£1,250, materials £150-£250. Total: £1,900-£3,375. With underfloor heating: £2,650-£4,875.

How to compare tiler quotes properly

• Get at least 3 written quotes for same scope
• Specify tile size, pattern, and area to be covered
• Clarify if quote includes prep work and old tile removal
• Ask if adhesive, grout, trim, and sealant included
• Check if waste disposal included
• Confirm timeline and whether price is fixed or estimate
• Ask about guarantee on workmanship (1-2 years typical)
• Check tiler has public liability insurance
• View photos of previous similar projects
• Get references from recent jobs
• Confirm payment schedule (typically 10-20% deposit, rest on completion)

FAQs

How much do tilers charge per m² UK?

Tilers charge £25-£45 per m² for standard wall tiling, £30-£50 per m² for floor tiling, and £40-£85 per m² for complex patterns, large format tiles, or natural stone. London and major cities charge 20-40% more. Price includes labour only - tiles and materials are extra unless quoted as supply-and-fit.

How much does it cost to tile a bathroom UK?

A standard bathroom (12m² walls and floor) costs £800-£1,800 for tiling labour, plus £300-£1,500 for tiles and materials. Total: £1,100-£3,300. Budget tiles bring total to £1,100-£1,800, premium tiles £1,800-£3,300. Add £180-£420 if removing old tiles first.

Should I supply tiles or have tiler supply them?

Either works. Supplying tiles yourself gives you full choice and control, often cheaper if you find deals. However, tiler isn't liable for faulty tiles or shortages. Having tiler supply means they order correct quantity (including wastage), take responsibility for quality issues, and you get one invoice for everything. Most tilers are happy either way.

How long does tiling a bathroom take?

A standard bathroom takes 3-5 days for experienced tiler. Day 1: prep and waterproofing. Days 2-3: wall tiling. Day 4: floor tiling. Day 5: grouting, sealing, finishing. Large bathrooms or complex patterns take 5-7 days. Always add 1-2 days if removing old tiles first.

Do tilers charge per day or per m²?

Most quote per m² (£25-£85 depending on complexity) or fixed price for whole room. Some charge daily rates (£180-£300 per day) for small jobs under 5m² or when scope is uncertain. Per m² pricing is clearer and easier to compare quotes. Always get fixed written quote before work starts.

What should be included in a tiling quote?

Quote should specify: area in m², tile size and pattern, labour cost per m² or total, whether prep work included (removal, levelling, tanking), whether adhesive/grout/trim included, timeline in days, guarantee period, payment terms. Vague quotes lead to disputes. Ask for clarification before accepting.

How much extra for herringbone or diagonal tiling?

Herringbone patterns cost 30-50% more labour than straight laying (£40-£65 per m² vs £25-£35 per m²). Diagonal laying adds 20-30% (£30-£45 per m²). These patterns require more cuts, more tile wastage (10-15% vs 5-10%), and greater skill. Budget accordingly as it significantly increases costs.

Typical price ranges

These are realistic ballparks. Use county and town pages for local context.

These are UK-wide ranges. Pricing can vary by region, urgency and availability.

---

Tilers by county

Select a county to see local context and tiling prices.

Last updated: January 2026