A bathroom is a key feature of any home and many homeowners spend time and money on making their bathroom a luxurious and refreshing space. Tiles play an important role in determining the overall look of the bathroom, whether they’re understated or bold.
Installing tiles in your bathroom is a great home development project to make your bathroom more attractive, as well as more resilient to the typical conditions of a bathroom, preventing the spread of damp or mould. Bathroom tiles come in a wide variety of colours and designs and give you the opportunity to style your bathroom in anything from contemporary chic to a rustic farmhouse design.
Our guide takes a look at bathroom tiling costs in 2021, including what is likely to affect the cost of getting your bathroom tiled, how you can save money and the best way you can find and hire a qualified professional to instal your bathroom tiles!
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How Much Does Bathroom Tiling Cost?
The cost of tiling a new bathroom is going to depend on a range of factors, varying from the products you decide to use to the size of the bathroom. Tiling a bathroom can be an expensive job, so it’s a good idea to begin budgeting early if you decide to take it on as a home development project.
The table below takes a look at the estimated supply and labour costs for a small, medium or large bathroom.
| Bathroom Size | Estimated Supply Costs | Labour Costs | Time Required | Total Estimated Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (floor and walls) | £500-£1,000 | £100-£150 | One to three days | £600-£1,150 |
| Medium (floor and walls) | £1,000-£2,500 | £100-£200 | One to three days | £1,100-£2,700 |
| Large (floor and walls) | £2,000-£4,500 | £200-£250 | One to three days | £2,200-£4,750 |
The table above shows there can be quite a vast difference in pricing costs for tiling a new bathroom and this is because of the number of factors that shape the final cost. We take a closer look at these factors later on in the guide to give you some advice on how you can keep the costs of tiling your new bathroom down.
On average, the estimated cost for tiling a small bathroom is between £600-£1,150 depending on materials used, the design and the size of the bathroom.
The estimated cost for tiling a medium bathroom is between £1,100-£2,700 depending on materials used, the design and the size of the bathroom.
The estimated cost for tiling a large bathroom is between £2,200-£4,750 depending on materials used, the design and the size of the bathroom.
Remember, the majority of your costs – unless you have a very large bathroom – are going to come from the labour needed for a tiling job, rather than the materials. This again helps to reinforce that when it comes to a bathroom tiling project, it’s a good idea to begin your budgeting for bathroom tiling early on as it can be one of the more expensive home development jobs and you don’t want to be caught out.
If you’re considering bathroom tiling as part of a wider bathroom project and plan on installing larger appliances, such as showers or toilets, make sure you have the budget for the entire project in place before beginning. If you start to tile one area and then need to wait due to budget restrictions, you may have to redo the tiling later on once the larger appliances are installed.
If you’re looking to tile your bathroom, an easy, simple way to compare contractor quotes is to use HouseholdQuotes and find the best professional for your job, within your budget, with one simple click.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Bathroom Tiling?
A multitude of different factors affect the cost of bathroom tiling and you need to be as aware of these factors as you can be before you go shopping for the best bathroom tiles and the best professional to instal them.
Size
A larger bathroom is going to need more materials and more labour to successfully complete the tiling job than a smaller bathroom. This, therefore, means that it’s likely to be more expensive to tile a large bathroom than it is to tile a small one.
A large bathroom is estimated to cost between £2,000-£5,000.
However, do keep in mind that smaller bathrooms, particularly if they are inaccessible and not very space-efficient, could require more of a contractor’s time to complete the job. This will therefore also impact the final cost.
Tile Material
There is a vast range of tiles on the market, allowing you to choose the best design, size and shape for you. The quality of the tiles will vary, as will their pricing, which hopefully means you’ll be able to find the ideal tile in your price range!
The table below takes a look at the most common types of bathroom tile available to you and their estimated pricing.
| Tile Type | Estimated Cost per M² |
|---|---|
| Ceramic | £15-£50 |
| Marble | £30-£60 |
| Slate | £45-£65 |
| Porcelain | £60-£90 |
| Glass | £90-£150 |
| Limestone | £45-£85 |
| Granite | £70-£100 |
Each tile material has a distinctive look and beneficial attributes which are discussed later in the guide to help you make the decision regarding which tile would work best in your bathroom.
If you’re operating to a lower budget, you may want to consider opting for a cheaper style such as ceramic, which can cost as little as £15 per M², in comparison to a tile such as slate, which could end up costing you £100 per M².
If you’re planning to buy the tiles separately and then have them installed to cut down on supply costs with your contractor, you need to make sure to buy at least 10% more tiles than you’ve estimated you’ll need. This is because it’s very likely some of the tiles will need to be cut to size to fit your bathroom.
There may also be some damaged tiles that can’t be used, so it’s important to have spare tiles in case of any breakages. Whilst this may seem more expensive, it’s better to have backup tiles in place.
Location
As with all home renovation or construction projects, where you are located in the UK will undoubtedly impact the final cost of a bathroom tiling project.
If you’re located in central London, you can expect the prices for tiling your bathroom to be two to three times more expensive than bathroom tiling pricing for a property located in the Western or Northern regions.
Walls and Floors
Deciding to get both the walls and floors of your bathroom tiled is going to be a lot more expensive than simply having one or the other done. It’s popular to have them both tiled at the same time, despite the increase in cost, because it leaves you with a more finished looking bathroom.
Make sure you decide early on in the process how much of the bathroom you’re going to have tiled and then budget accordingly.
How Can I Save Money on Bathroom Tiling?
There are a few ways you can save money on bathroom tiling costs. However, do bear in mind that a project such as tiling is mainly focusing on improving the appearance of the bathroom – in some cases, if you have the option to, it can be a good thing to spend a little more to get your desired outcome.
A huge way to potentially cut costs with bathroom tiling is to consider the tile you want to use. Patterned tiles or tiles made from more expensive material, such as glass or granite, are going to cost you substantially more than a typical ceramic tile.
You won’t necessarily be skimping on style by choosing a less expensive tile as there is still a huge range of designs in more affordable tiles for you to choose from.
You could also consider installing a feature wall or tiling a small area, possibly above the sink, with the more expensive tiles you like. This will keep your costs down and still feature the more expensive tiles that may have stolen your heart.
Another good way to keep the costs of bathroom tiling down is to have a go at ripping out the old tiles in your bathroom yourself. This isn’t a particularly hard job and doesn’t require a lot of fancy tools – all you need is a hammer and chisel, which can easily be purchased from local DIY shops or borrowed from a kind friend or family member.
If you have existing tiles in your bathroom that are already damaged, this is a great place to start. You should be able to easily place the chisel behind the damaged tile and hit it with the hammer to pull it away from the wall. Once the tiles have been removed, you should then get rid of the left-over adhesive from the wall in the same manner.
If you’re going to have a go at removing the tiles yourself, make sure you wear the right safety protection such as goggles and gloves, and cover your bath, toilet and sink to prevent any damage they may suffer from falling tiles.
You could also consider having a go at tiling the entire bathroom yourself to save you the labour costs of hiring a professional. If you’ve got experience in this area and feel familiar with the process then this is a really good way to potentially save you hundreds of pounds.
Another great way to keep costs down is by sourcing the necessary materials yourself. Once you think you’ve found a few tilers you may be happy to work with, consider what they’re charging for tiles, grout and adhesive and see if you’re able to get a better deal finding the material yourself.
As tiling a bathroom is known to be an expensive job, keep your eye out for any good sales or offers on tiles that you might be interested in. It’s worth slowing down the process of the job to really have a scout for the best price than jump right in and try to get the job done quickly, as you may find a really good offer or deal that you could have easily missed.
If you have a bathroom with new tiles you need installing, a great way to cut costs is to use HouseholdQuotes and let us find you a qualified professional to get the job done to your standard.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Types of Tiles Should I Use?
There really is a whole lot of options when it comes to tiling your bathroom. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of your tiling options is a great way to narrow down the choice and find the perfect tile for you.
The table below lists the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most commonly used bathroom tiles in the UK.
| Tile Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | -One of the cheapest tile options available -Very durable to all conditions -Low maintenance after the initial instalment | -Possibility that the tiles may need to be sealed after instalment which could be an extra cost -Very heavy material -Likely to be cold on bare feet which won’t be pleasant during colder months |
| Marble | -Installation could increase the overall property value -Easy to maintain with polishing -Very beautiful tiling option and has great aesthetic appeal | -Can become slippery and could be a potential health hazard -Prone to scratching and staining if not cared for properly -A more expensive tiling option |
| Slate | -Very modern and sleek aesthetic -Works really well if installed with underfloor heating -Very water-resistant | -Can be painful for bare feet -Will likely break if something heavy is dropped on it -Likely to be cold on bare feet which won’t be pleasant during colder months |
| Porcelain | -Low maintenance after initial installation -Highly resistant to wear and high traffic -Wide range of styles and can be made to appear like other materials whilst retaining the properties of porcelain | -Prone to staining if not maintained properly -Difficult material to install and is not particularly easy to work with meaning the contractor hours could be longer than other materials -More difficult to repair than other tiling materials |
| Glass | -Easy to clean and maintain -Very attractive and high-quality finish -Naturally mould resistant | -Shows dirt easily so more time will need to be spent maintaining it -Difficult to install so contractor hours could be longer than other materials -More expensive tiling option |
| Limestone | -Environmentally friendly, so a great sustainable option -Cheaper stone option than other materials -Very durable | -Prone to scratching if not maintained properly -Is likely to need to be sealed after initial installation which could be another cost -Delicate cleaning process which does take some time |
| Granite | -Very durable -High aesthetic appeal as it looks really good in bathrooms -Will add value to your property | -Needs to be professionally installed and so you will need to be prepared for labour costs -A very heavy material -Delicate cleaning process which does take some time |
What’s Involved in the Tiling Process?
To begin the process, the bathroom will first need to be measured as accurately as possible, and the underlay will need to be prepared. The contractors will ensure that the flooring is measure and level and they’ll mark the position of the tiles across the walls and flooring if both are being tiled at the same time.
Any positioning struggles or difficulties in laying the tile will be addressed at this stage, and the contractor will figure out the best solution beforehand so that the work won’t be slowed down once it’s begun. If any remedial work needs to be carried out to ensure the tiling can go ahead, the contractor will go through this with you and let you make the final decision on what should or shouldn’t be done.
If the tile layout has been decided, the tiles can be cut and prepared to be laid. If not, the tile layout will need to be decided and gone over with the contractor.
Once the tiles are cut and ready, the adhesive will be mixed with water until the contractor is left with a thick, smooth paste. The adhesive will then be spread across the area or areas which are going to be tiled, and formed into ribs, to give the tiles an area to grip once they are placed.
The tiles are then laid next to one another and trim can be added to any edges at this point. The tiles are then spread with grout, which fills in the gaps in between each tile.
Once the grout has dried enough to be set but is still able to be cleaned, the tiles will be cleaned off and the job completed with your brand-new bathroom tiles!
How Do I Find and Hire a Tiler?
It’s best to first seek recommendations from family, friends and neighbours. Find out if they’ve recently had a bathroom or even kitchen tiled and if they were happy with the way the project turned out.
This way you can source good recommendations from people you trust.
If you’re looking to cut costs as much as possible and want to give tiling your bathroom yourself a go, see if you have any friends or family who has had experience working on a similar project and would be willing to lend a hand! DIY projects are always quicker and easier with more than one pair of hands!
Using HouseholdQuotes is another fab way to cut costs as we can save you up to 40% on your project quote, giving you the ability to quickly and easily see contractor quotes.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
It’s good to make sure you’ve got the right questions ready to ask that will verify the tradesperson’s abilities. We recommend you ask them:
- For a written quote. Any contractor worth their salt will be happy to provide you with a written quote.
- For their experience. It’s best to go with a tradesperson who has experience in this field as tiling bathrooms can be a fiddly job.
- For their references. If they are able to provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- For any photos of their previous jobs. This will offer you the opportunity to see the quality of their work and could also provide you with some good references for your own project designs.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you have got everything you need before you get your bathroom tiled:
- Consider what kind of bathroom tile design you’re aiming for. Do some research into styles that grab your attention and figure out what specifically it is that attracts you to it.
- Measure your bathroom as accurately as possible and decide whether you will be tiling both the walls and the floor.
- Decide whether or not you will be purchasing the tiles separately or if you will be having your contractor source them. If you do plan on purchasing your own, remember to buy 10% extra!
- Source a range of quotes from HouseholdQuotes and easily compare them with a simple click!
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions:
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Bathroom Renovation?
Similarly, Building Regulations may apply if you’re planning to build a new bathroom in a former bedroom, but not if you’re simply renovating an existing bathroom.
However, if you know your property is a listed building, or are unsure about the project, you should consult your local planning authority to be safe.