TL;DR — Tiling At A Glance
- Tiling labour costs £25–£55 per m² — around £25–£40/m² for floors and £30–£45/m² for walls.
- With tiles, adhesive and grout included, budget £45–£130 per m² all-in, depending on the tile you choose.
- A typical bathroom costs £600–£1,500 to tile, and a kitchen splashback £150–£400.
- Prices depend on the tile size and material, the surface, the pattern and the amount of cutting around fittings.
- Quotes are often labour only — tiles, adhesive and grout are added, and it pays to buy 10% extra for cuts and breakages.
- The best value comes from choosing a standard tile and simple layout, and preparing a flat, sound surface first.
- Get a fixed price for tiling — check prices and book online or arrange a visit to measure up a wall, floor or whole room.
How Much Does Tiling Cost In 2026?
Tiling in the UK is priced per square metre. Labour alone is £25–£55 per m² — roughly £25–£40/m² for floor tiling and £30–£45/m² for wall tiling — and once you add the tiles, adhesive and grout, an all-in figure of £45–£130 per m² covers most jobs. In London and the South East, expect prices roughly 20–30% higher.
The wide all-in range comes almost entirely from the tile itself. A budget ceramic can be a few pounds per m², while large-format porcelain, natural stone or patterned tiles run to £40–£80/m² or more before fitting. The labour, by contrast, is more predictable — what moves it is the size of the tile, the amount of cutting, and how well prepared the surface is.
Most tilers set a minimum charge of around £150–£200, because setting out, mixing adhesive and cleaning up takes time even on a small job. A splashback or a single wall is quick; a full bathroom with floor, walls and a shower area is a two- to four-day job. Here is what tiling costs across the UK:
| How it's priced | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Floor tiling, labour (per m²) | £25 – £40 | £30 – £52 |
| Wall tiling, labour (per m²) | £30 – £45 | £38 – £58 |
| All-in (labour + tiles + materials, per m²) | £45 – £130 | £55 – £170 |
| Minimum job charge | £150 – £200 | £180 – £260 |
Figures include VAT where applicable and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the tile, the area and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Tiling Cost By Room And Area
Per-room prices are the easiest way to budget a whole job. These are typical all-in ranges, assuming a mid-range tile and a sound surface:
| Job | Typical price (rest of UK) | Typical price (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen splashback | £150 – £400 | £200 – £520 |
| Small bathroom (walls + floor) | £600 – £1,000 | £750 – £1,300 |
| Standard bathroom (full) | £1,000 – £1,500 | £1,300 – £2,000 |
| Kitchen floor (per m²) | £45 – £110 | £55 – £145 |
| Wet room / shower enclosure | £1,200 – £2,500 | £1,500 – £3,200 |
| Hallway or utility floor | £45 – £100 per m² | £55 – £130 per m² |
For a quick estimate, measure the area in square metres, then apply the labour rate plus your tile price per m². Buying around 10% more tiles than the exact area allows for cuts, breakages and future repairs.
What Affects The Cost Of Tiling?
Several factors decide where your job lands in the ranges above.
1. The Tile You Choose
This is the biggest swing in the all-in price. Budget ceramics are cheap; large-format porcelain, natural stone, mosaics and patterned or hand-made tiles cost far more per m² and, in the case of stone, need sealing.
2. Tile Size And Layout
Very large or very small tiles both slow the work — big formats are heavy and need a flat bed, while mosaics and small tiles mean many more to place. Herringbone, diagonal and brick-bond patterns take longer than a simple grid.
3. Amount Of Cutting
Bathrooms and kitchens are full of pipes, sockets, windows and fittings that each need careful cuts. The more obstacles, the more time, so a plain rectangular wall is cheaper per m² than a busy one.
4. Surface Preparation
Tiles need a flat, sound, dry surface. Removing old tiles, levelling a floor, or fitting backer board and tanking a wet area all add labour before tiling starts.
5. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 20–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland, reflecting higher labour rates. A £1,000 bathroom elsewhere can be £1,300–£1,500 in the capital.
6. Waterproofing And Wet Areas
Showers and wet rooms need proper tanking behind the tiles to stop water reaching the structure. This specialist step adds cost but is essential to avoid leaks and damp later.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in a tiling quote:
- Setting out and fitting the tiles to the agreed layout
- Cutting around pipes, sockets, windows and fittings
- Grouting and cleaning off the finished surface
- Basic tidying of the work area
Usually charged separately:
- Tiles, adhesive, grout and trims, if the quote is labour only
- Removing and disposing of old tiles
- Levelling a floor, fitting backer board or tanking a wet area
- Silicone sealing beyond the standard finish
- Moving sanitaryware or fittings out of the way
Always confirm in writing whether materials are included, how much cutting is expected, and whether wet-area waterproofing is part of the price, so quotes compare fairly.
Can You Do It Yourself?
A simple, small job — a kitchen splashback or a single square wall — is achievable for a patient DIYer and saves the labour cost. With a tile cutter, adhesive, spacers and grout, straightforward ceramic tiling in a low-risk spot is within reach, and the materials for a splashback cost £40–£100.
Larger and wet jobs are best left to a professional. Floors must be level and able to take the load, wet rooms and showers need correct tanking to stay watertight, and large-format or natural-stone tiles are unforgiving of mistakes. A skilled tiler sets out the room so cuts fall in the least visible places, keeps lines dead straight, and gets a neat, durable, water-tight finish — the kind of result that is hard to achieve first time and expensive to put right if it fails.
How To Save Money On Tiling
- Choose a standard tile in a common size — the labour is quicker and the tile itself far cheaper than stone or bespoke patterns.
- Keep the layout simple — a straight grid is faster to lay than herringbone or diagonal.
- Prepare the surface — clear the room and remove old tiles yourself where you can.
- Buy your own tiles in the sales, ordering about 10% extra for cuts and future repairs.
- Bundle areas into one visit to spread the minimum charge and setup.
- Get 2–3 quotes and compare labour rate, materials and any preparation, not just the total.
How To Hire A Good Tiler
Ask to see photos of finished bathrooms and floors, check reviews and references, and get a written quote stating the area in m², the labour rate, and whether materials and waterproofing are included. Confirm the tiler holds public liability insurance, and for showers and wet rooms, check they tank the area correctly. A good tiler will advise on tile choice, quantities and layout before starting.
With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured tilers, transparent pricing and online booking — describe the room and get a price up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Tiling Cost Per Square Metre In The UK?
Tiling labour costs £25–£55 per m² in 2026 — around £25–£40/m² for floors and £30–£45/m² for walls. Including the tiles and materials, budget £45–£130 per m², depending on the tile chosen. London adds roughly 20–30%.
How Much Does It Cost To Tile A Bathroom?
A standard bathroom costs £1,000–£1,500 to tile all-in outside London, and £1,300–£2,000 in London. A small bathroom is £600–£1,000, while a full wet room with tanking runs higher.
Is It Cheaper To Tile Floors Or Walls?
Floor tiling labour is usually a little cheaper per m² (£25–£40) than wall tiling (£30–£45), because walls involve more cutting around fittings and working at height. The tile and layout you choose affect the total more than floor-versus-wall.
Do Tilers Supply The Tiles?
Often the quote is labour only, and you supply the tiles, adhesive and grout, though some tilers will source them for you. Buying your own in the sales and ordering about 10% extra for cuts is a common way to save.
Is There A Minimum Charge For Tiling?
Yes. Most tilers apply a minimum charge of around £150–£200, because setting out, mixing adhesive and cleaning up takes time even on a small job. Bundling areas into one visit spreads that cost.
How Long Does It Take To Tile A Bathroom?
A standard bathroom usually takes two to four days, including preparation, tiling, grouting and drying time between stages. A splashback or single wall can be done in a day, while a wet room with tanking takes longer.
