Decorating & finishing
Tiling cost calculator
Tiling is the biggest cost-saver in many projects, because tiler labour is expensive. It rewards patience and planning. Flat walls and floors in a small space are a great place to learn.
- Full DIY
- £370
- Smart Hybrid
- £820
- Full Trade
- £900
Typical mid-range job, Midlands rates. Yours updates below.
Updated November 2026. Estimates based on typical UK prices.
Cost calculator
Price this job three ways
Answer a few questions and watch the numbers move. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Smart Hybrid saves £80 against a full trade job.
Smart Hybrid
You take on what you can, a trade handles the rest.
£820
- Materials
- £370
- Labour
- £450
- Wall tiling£450
- You have not taken on any of the work yourself, so this matches the full trade price.
Turn this into a plan
Get the order of work, who to book and a budget tracker, all editable.
Order of work for this job
A typical order. Always confirm timing with whoever you book, since some steps can overlap.
- 1
Tiling
- Wall tilingBook a tiler
How we worked out the materials›
- Wall tiles£27210 m² of wall + 10% wastage = 11 m²
- Tile adhesive£5410 m² tiled ÷ 4.5 m² per bag = 3 bags
- Grout£2410 bag ÷ 9 bag per pack = 2 × £12 = £24
- Sundries£20Spacers, sponge and a bit of extra grout
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades.
The price
What affects the cost?
- 1
Tile type and size
Ceramic, porcelain and natural stone vary hugely. Large-format tiles are harder to lay and need a flatter surface.
- 2
Area and layout
More area, more cuts, or a diagonal or herringbone layout all raise material waste and labour.
- 3
Surface preparation
Walls and floors must be flat, dry and sound. Boarding or levelling adds cost.
- 4
Waterproofing
Showers and wet rooms need a proper waterproof layer before tiling.
- 5
Adhesive and grout
Flexible adhesive and quality grout cost more but last better, especially on floors and in wet areas.
Be honest with yourself
Can you do this yourself?
You can do
- Small flat walls and splashbacks
- Floors in a small room
- Grouting and sealing
- Removing old tiles
Leave to a pro
- Large-format and natural stone tiles
- Complex layouts, mosaics and niches
- Wet rooms and tanked showers
- Uneven walls needing a lot of preparation
The rules
No regulations apply to tiling itself. In older homes, take care around old adhesive and backing boards, which may contain asbestos.
DIY guide
How to tile a wall or floor, step by step
Tools you'll need
- Notched trowel (size to match the tile)
- Tile cutter and nippers
- Spacers and a level
- Grout float and sponge
- Mixing paddle and bucket
- Batten and spirit level
Materials
- Tiles plus about 10% extra
- Flexible tile adhesive
- Grout and silicone
- Primer for the substrate
- Edge trim
- 1
Prepare the surface
~1 dayThe surface must be flat, clean, dry and firm. Remove loose plaster or old tiles, fill dips, and prime absorbent surfaces. For floors, use a levelling compound over uneven concrete.
- 2
Plan the layout
~0.25 daysLay out a dry row of tiles and spacers to see where cuts fall. Shift the layout so you avoid thin slivers at corners and edges, and mark a level reference line.
Tip: Fix a straight batten to the wall as your first support row, so the whole wall is level and tiles do not slide down.
- 3
Mix and spread the adhesive
~0.25 daysMix adhesive to the packet instructions. Spread it onto a small area with the flat edge of the trowel, then comb it with the notched side in one direction to form even ridges.
- 4
Press tiles in with spacers
~1 dayPress each tile into the ridges with a slight twist, set spacers at the corners, and check it is level against its neighbours. Wipe adhesive from the faces straight away.
- 5
Cut tiles to fit
~0.5 daysMeasure the gap, mark the tile, and score and snap with a cutter. Use nippers or a wet saw for curves and notches around pipes and sockets.
Wear eye protection and a dust mask when cutting tiles.
- 6
Leave to cure, then grout
~0.5 daysLeave the adhesive to set, usually 24 hours. Remove spacers, then press grout into the joins with a float at 45°, and wipe the surface clean with a damp sponge before it hardens.
- 7
Seal and finish
~0.25 daysSilicone any joint where tiles meet a different surface, like the bath, tray or worktop. Seal natural stone and unglazed tiles once the grout is dry.
Tip: Use silicone, not grout, for movement joints. Grout cracks where the surfaces move.
Learn from others
Common mistakes to avoid
- Tiling onto an uneven or damp surface
- Not planning the layout, ending with narrow cut tiles at the edges
- Using rigid adhesive on a floor over timber or underfloor heating
- Grouting before the adhesive has fully cured
- Using grout where silicone should go
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to tile a room?
For a typical 10 m² of mid-range porcelain wall tiling, expect from around £370 doing it yourself to £900 with a trade tiler. Tiling a floor as well roughly doubles the material and labour cost for the extra area.
How much does a tiler charge per m²?
A trade tiler typically charges per square metre, with the exact rate depending on tile size, layout complexity and your region — the calculator above prices your job using live regional rates.
How much do tiles cost?
Mid-range porcelain wall tiles cost around £34 per m². Budget ceramic is cheaper; premium large-format or natural stone tiles cost considerably more and often need a trade to fit them well.
Can I tile a wall or floor myself?
Yes — there’s no notifiable work involved, and tiling is a very learnable skill for straightforward, flat areas. It’s also the single biggest cost swing in this calculator: if you’re confident, tick the box above and Smart Hybrid moves the tiling itself into your own column. Large-format tiles, natural stone and anything beyond a flat wall or floor is where a trade tiler earns their rate.
Ready to plan it?
Add this job to your renovation plan to get the order of work, who to book and a budget you can track.