Bathroom tiling cost in the UK
Bathroom tiling in the UK typically costs between £40 and £90 per m² for labour, plus £20–£90 per m² for the tiles themselves. A full bathroom tile job (walls and floor, 15–25 m²) usually runs £900–£2,800 for labour and a total of £1,500–£4,500 including materials.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up bathroom renovation cost in the uk, small bathroom renovation cost in the uk and shower installation cost in the uk. For wider context, browse our kitchen pricing, boiler & heating costs and trades day rates.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Floor tiling only (4–6 m²) | £350–£900 |
Walls only (10–15 m²) | £700–£1,800 |
Full bathroom (walls + floor, 15–25 m²) | £1,500–£4,500 |
Large-format porcelain (per m²) | £60–£110/m² |
Mosaic / feature wall (per m²) | £90–£180/m² |
Labour costs
Tilers charge per m² or per day. UK average is £180–£280 per day; London £250–£380 per day. Most quote per m² for clean substrates.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Ceramic tiles (per m²) | £35–£55/m² |
Porcelain tiles (per m²) | £45–£75/m² |
Large-format tiles (over 600 mm) | £60–£95/m² |
Mosaics / patterned (per m²) | £70–£130/m² |
Tile removal (per m²) | £12–£25/m² |
Materials costs
Tile price varies widely by material and brand. Adhesive, grout and trims add £6–£15 per m² on top of the tile cost.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Budget ceramic tiles | £15–£30/m² |
Mid-range porcelain | £30–£60/m² |
Premium porcelain / marble effect | £60–£120/m² |
Adhesive & grout (per m²) | £6–£12/m² |
Tile trims (per linear metre) | £4–£12/m |
Tanking / waterproof membrane (per m²) | £10–£25/m² |
Tiler day & hourly rates
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
UK average day rate | £180–£280/day |
London day rate | £250–£380/day |
Hourly rate | £25–£45/hr |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Tile size — large-format and small mosaics both add 20–35% to labour vs standard 300 × 600 mm.
- ·Substrate — uneven walls or chipboard floors need preparation or backer boards.
- ·Pattern — herringbone, hexagon and brick bond patterns add 10–25%.
- ·Wet area tanking — required behind walk-in showers (£200–£500 extra).
- ·Region — London adds 30–45% over national rates.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Buy tiles direct from Topps Tiles, CTD or trade outlets rather than designer showrooms.
- ·Standardise on one tile size to reduce cutting and waste.
- ·Half-tile walls (1.2 m up) and paint above — saves 30–40% of tile area.
- ·Choose 10% extra tiles to avoid mid-job re-orders that delay the tiler.
- ·Combine tiling with the bathroom refit on a single contract for a better day rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to tile a bathroom?
- 2–5 days for an average bathroom: one day prep and floor, 1–3 days walls depending on tile size and one day for grouting and silicone.
- Is porcelain worth the extra over ceramic?
- On floors yes — porcelain is harder and absorbs less water. On walls, mid-tier ceramic performs just as well at half the price.
- Should I pay per m² or per day?
- Per m² gives cost certainty for square, well-prepared rooms. Per day suits mosaic, herringbone and old uneven walls.
- How much extra tile should I order?
- 10% for plain layouts, 15% for diagonal or herringbone, 20% for hexagonal or large-format porcelain.
- Do I need tanking behind the shower?
- Yes for stud walls and any wet-room conversion. Solid masonry walls in a bath/shower zone benefit but aren't always required.
- Can I tile over existing tiles?
- Yes, if they are sound, flat and primed. Adds height and weight — check load on stud walls and door clearance.