Whether it’s a facelift or a full renovation of the busiest rooms in your home, tiling is a popular go-to option for bathrooms But how much is it likely to cost, and is it something you can do yourself?
This cost guide explains what you must consider when determining how much to tile a bathroom and whether to go Pro or DIY.
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Bathroom Tiling Benefits
The first thing to think about is why you’re tiling your bathroom in the first place. Is it because your bathroom design needs to be brought into the 21st century, or are the tiles cracked, having seen better days?
You also need to decide how much of your bathroom to renovate: Should you replace the tiles around the shower and/or bath, or do you want the whole room befitted in floor-to-ceiling tiles?
Pro Tip: Even if it’s a straightforward tile removal and replacement, additional wall prep may be involved.
How Much To Tile A Bathroom — Costs To Consider
Before choosing your tiles, it’s important to set a budget. You can do this by working out whether it’s something you’re going to do yourself or whether you’ll be hiring a professional. Once you know how much it might cost, you can set a budget to refrain from spending more than necessary.
The cost factors below will help you determine whether the job should be DIY or outsourced.
How Many Tiles Will You Need?
Firstly, determine whether you wish to tile the entire bathroom or only certain areas, such as the floors. The tiles can cost around £5 to £20 per square metre, depending on your style.
Once you’ve decided, work out how many tiles you need by multiplying the height and width of the area you wish to be tiled and adding an extra 10% to allow for error and wastage. Full instructions are included in the video at the bottom of this guide.
Other Materials and Tools
In addition to your chosen tiles, you’ll also need tile adhesive, grout, silicone, and any tools that may be required, such as an electric tile cutter, measuring tape and mixing bucket. This article from Tile Mountain provides a full list of tools.
They also have an excellent calculator to help you determine how much grout and adhesive you’ll need. Add this and the price of your chosen tiles, plus whatever other tools you might need to buy/rent for the job, to get an idea of the cost.
Additional Work Required
If hiring someone, bear in mind any work that needs to be done before fitting the tiles. For example, will you expect them to remove any existing tiles first? If you’re looking to save on labour costs, you may consider doing that part yourself. Then, consider any wall prep that might be required, whether that be damage caused by removing the tiles, or underlying issues such as water ingress, as discussed in this article from the UK Bathroom Guru.
Labour Costs in 2024
A cost guide from Mybuilder.com suggests that, depending on the experience of the tiler and your location, you can expect to pay between £20 and £40 per square meter. Some traders will charge a day rate of around £150–£200 per day.
Professional Tiling Costs — 2024 Price Table
The comparison table below gives you an idea of how much you can expect to pay if you hire a professional to complete the job, with you supplying only the tiles.
Prices have been sourced from Which? via a survey of bathroom fitters conducted in 2018. These prices include labour and materials but do not include VAT.
| Job | Details | Price Range | Average Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom | 2.13m x 2.16m — customer to supply tiles | £700–£950 | £825 | 1–3 days |
| Medium bathroom | 3.1m — customer to supply tiles | £900–£1,125 | £1,012 | 2–4 days |
| Large bathroom | 4.06m — customer to supply tiles | £1,200–£1,800 | £1,500 | 3–6 days |
DIY Bathroom Tiling
Tiling is something that requires skill, patience and time. That’s not to say an amateur can’t do it, and if you’re a keen DIYer, you likely have at least two of the three attributes mentioned above.
According to my job quote, it’s not too difficult to fit bathroom tiles yourself. Still, as mentioned in our article on tiler costs, you’ll want to ensure you do the job properly to avoid any expensive problems further down the line.
How To Fit Bathroom Tiles
Online and print magazine ‘Build It’ has written a step-by-step guide on fitting bathroom tiles.
Alternatively, the video below from Wickes provides an easy-to-follow tutorial to help DIY enthusiasts:
If DIY isn’t your thing, or you don’t have the time and prefer hiring someone, find a trusted tradesman in your local area using Rated People.
Don’t fancy doing this job yourself? Find top-rated bathroom tilers in your area by clicking the button below:
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, it depends on your budget, free time and skill level. As mentioned briefly, the thought of water entering the walls makes me nervous. However, it’s certainly something to consider if you’re confident in your ability and want to save money.
On the other hand, if you’re like me and want the confidence of professional fitting, here are some things to remember when obtaining quotations:
- Ask for recommendations.
- Obtain at least three quotations.
- Get a quote breakdown, including any required preparation, materials and labour.
- Ask to see testimonials.
Visit Rated People to find a quality tradesperson to help you get the desired result.