Tiling is a great way to improve the visual quality and durability of a room. They can help protect against water damage and don’t require much upkeep.
With a wide variety of colours and styles available, pricing can range. However, we’ve done the research to give you a good idea of what to expect.
This article will cover what you can expect to pay to get your floor tiled as well as factors that can affect the cost.
Average Cost Per m²
We contacted 35 different tilers for quotes for tiling a floor per m². The quotes usually included materials such as adhesive, grout and miscellaneous items such as spacers cleaners and a budget tiling material like ceramic.
| Floor Tiling Costs | Cost |
|---|---|
| Average | £40 / m² |
| Typical Range | £25 - 60 / m² |
Most tilers will either charge by m² or by their day rates. We received many quotes for labour only in the £30 per m² range. Tiler day rates can vary quite a lot when compared to other trades depending on location and experience, so anywhere from £150 – £350.
Some tilers do not offer fit only and require you to buy the materials from them so they can guarantee quality. However, some may require you to buy the tilers yourself since this one of the biggest variables in costings.
Factors That Affect Cost
Although the costs are somewhat similar across different contractors, there are various reasons why costs may vary.
Size of Area
Generally, the larger the area that needs to be tiled, the lower the cost per m² a tiler can charge. Many tilers will also have minimum charges, meaning very small areas that need to be tiled can cost a lot to justify them coming out to your property.
Type of Tiles Used
Popular types of tiles used include ceramic and porcelain. Ceramic is the most popular and cheapest option.
Porcelain is more expensive as a material and takes longer to cut than ceramic and therefore, takes longer to lay. However, it is more durable and hard-wearing, meaning it can be used outdoors and outdoors.
Premium types of tiling materials such as marble, mosaics and natural stone are even more expensive. If we take £35 per m² for ceramics, you can add these costs onto that base cost.
- Porcelain: +£5 / m²
- Polished porcelain: +£10 / m²
- Natural stone: +£10 – £20 / m²
- Mosaic: +£15 / m²
- Marble: + £10 / m²
- Limestone: +£10 / m²
Style of Fitting Pattern
Different types of fitting will have slightly different costs depending on their complexity. Some of the most popular styles include:
- Herringbone: give the classic ‘V’ shape. Great for making smaller and darker rooms seem more open.
- Linear: square tiles laid directly next to one. Great for ease and simplicity
- Brick bond: gives a very subway-style effect. Excellent for versatility and provides extra creative scope
- Modular: excellent flexibility allow for a myriad of design choices.
Some of these are found within the diagram below.
Credit: Centsational Style
Access to Floor
If the tiler needs to clear room or cupboards in the way, then this will add extra labour cost. Things such as doorways, toilets and sinks can also affect the fitting.
Floor Preparation Required
Essentially, the floor material used floor substrate can mean priming, backer boards, building up etc are needed.
Different flooring types have different costs because the preparation work varies. Ground floors are often concrete and upper floors are often timber joists.
Concrete floors may not be level and may need correcting via a self-levelling compound. This delays the project because the compound must dry and isn’t included in the costs above.
Timber joist and wood flooring often move a lot which can crack the tiles and grout. They can be strengthened with a thick ply layer tracked to them, which reduces bounce. Expect to pay in the higher range if this is required. Cement boards may be used instead when tiling wet areas such as bathrooms due to their water resistance. These cost around £12 per m²
Location
Labour costs in London and the south of England are generally more expensive than elsewhere.
If the contractor needs to travel beyond a certain radius, then they may add an extra fee on top. Unless you live in a very rural location or want to use a joiner that operates further afield, you shouldn’t need to pay extra.
Things to Consider When Hiring a Tiler
- Get quotes from a couple of tilers. Be sure to check the scope and details and ensure quotes are like-for-like. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
- Check that everything needed within the process is included. For example, is the removal of previously tiles included?
- Are you purchasing the tiles and materials yourself or the tiler? If you purchase the materials yourself, you may be able to get a better price, but the tiler can not guarantee the quality. If the wrong materials get delivered, then that can slow down the whole process too. A tiler can show you examples of what they typically use and can usually get discounts from suppliers that they can pass onto you.
- Ensure you get a written quotation and you agree to payment details. They may require a small deposit upfront (somewhere in the region of 10%) but reputable tilers won’t usually charge the full value of the project upfront.
- Do they have a guarantee? You’ll typically find tilers will guarantee their work in the range of 1-5 years.
- Can they show you previous work? Many types of tradesmen offer tiling services, including builders, kitchen and bathroom fitters and handymen. Therefore, it’s important they have had a good amount of experience specifically doing tiling jobs. If you can get in touch with previous clients, even better. This shows a high level of professionalism.
- Are they accreditated? Experience is more important so you know that the tiler has worked on projects similar to yours. However, they do show a level of competence. Ones to look out for include Federation of Master Builders (FMB), The Guild of Master Craftsmen and the Painting & Decorating Association (PDA).
Get Pricing on Tiling a Floor Near You
We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay to tile a floor.
However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed quote specifically for you.
We work with all the best tiling experts ready to price your job. Get free, no-obligation quotes in your local area and compare prices using the form below.
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About the Author
Alex Johnson is a qualified quantity surveyor and writer with a passion for conducting original research and uncovering the true cost of jobs. His cost data has been referenced by EDF Energy and the Scottish Government.