UK Tiler Rates at a Glance (2026)
| Region | Hourly Rate | Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| National average | £30–£50/hr | £160–£260/day |
| London | £45–£70/hr | £260–£380/day |
| South East | £38–£58/hr | £220–£330/day |
| Midlands | £26–£46/hr | £145–£235/day |
| North England | £24–£42/hr | £135–£220/day |
| Scotland | £26–£44/hr | £140–£230/day |
| Wales | £24–£40/hr | £130–£215/day |
Are you a tiler? Market rates don't account for your overheads, non-billable days, or target income. Use our free tiler day rate calculator to find the minimum you actually need to charge.
Tiling Rates Per Square Metre (2026)
For larger tiling jobs — bathrooms, kitchen floors, large open-plan areas — most tilers quote by the square metre for labour. Tiles and adhesive are usually charged separately.
| Tile type / pattern | Labour rate per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard wall tiles (up to 300x600mm) | £20–£35/m² | Straightforward lay |
| Standard floor tiles (up to 600x600mm) | £22–£38/m² | Including grout |
| Large format tiles (600x600mm+) | £30–£50/m² | Harder to cut, heavier |
| Mosaic tiles | £35–£60/m² | Time-consuming to align |
| Herringbone / chevron pattern | £35–£55/m² | More cuts, more waste |
| Natural stone (marble, slate) | £35–£65/m² | Requires specialist adhesive |
What Do Tilers Charge for Common Jobs?
What Affects a Tiler's Rate?
- Tile size: Large format tiles (800x800mm or bigger) are heavy and awkward, need levelling systems, and break easily if handled wrong. Tilers charge more for these, and rightly so.
- Pattern complexity: A straight brick-bond layout is the quickest to tile. Herringbone, chevron, and diagonal patterns involve more cuts, more waste, and take significantly longer.
- Substrate prep: A flat, solid substrate makes tiling fast. Uneven walls, flexing floors, or old adhesive that needs grinding off all add time before the tiler has laid a single tile.
- Waterproofing: Shower areas and wet rooms need tanking membrane before tiling. This is critical — a tiler who doesn't waterproof properly is a liability, not a bargain.
- Grout and silicone quality: Epoxy grout, coloured grout, and antibacterial silicone cost more and take more time to apply correctly. Don't assume your tiler will use them unless you've specified it.
Are you a tiler? Know your real rate.
Our free calculator works out what you actually need to charge based on your costs and target income — not just the industry average.
Calculate My Tiler Rate ›Large Format Tiles: Why They Cost More to Lay Than Standard Tiles
Tiles have got significantly larger over the past decade — 600x600mm, 800x800mm, and 1200x600mm formats are now common. Each step up in size increases fitting cost:
- Substrate prep — large tiles show every surface irregularity. A 300x300 tile tolerates minor floor undulations; a 1200x600 tile needs the floor perfectly flat or it rocks and cracks. More prep time = more cost
- Cutting — large format tiles require a wet saw (not a manual cutter). Around obstacles, outlets, and edges, every cut takes longer and waste is higher
- Adhesive — large format tiles need flexible adhesive applied with a notched trowel on both the tile and the substrate (back-buttering). Double adhesive application adds time and material cost
- Lippage tolerance — even slight unevenness between adjacent tiles is very visible at large formats. Tilers work more carefully and use levelling systems (clips and wedges), which add labour time
Expect to pay 20–35% more per square metre for 600x600+ tiles than for standard 300x300 tiles, all else being equal.
Floor vs Wall Tiling: What Tilers Charge Differently
Wall tiling and floor tiling look similar but are different jobs:
Wall tiling is typically faster per m² — gravity helps, the substrate is usually flat plasterboard or existing tiles, and cutting is simpler. Cost: £20–£40/m² labour.
Floor tiling is slower — the substrate needs to be level, floor height changes affect door clearance, and you're working on your knees all day. Wet rooms and shower trays need precise falls toward the drain. Cost: £25–£50/m² labour.
Natural stone (slate, travertine, marble) costs more again — stone varies in thickness, cuts differently, may need sealing before grouting to prevent staining, and is heavier to handle. Add 15–25% to labour costs over ceramic.
How to Find a Reliable Tiler
- Ask to see a grouted, finished job — photos often don't show grout line consistency, lippage between tiles, or how cuts were handled around obstacles
- Ask about substrate prep — a tiler who checks floor flatness with a long straight edge before starting will produce better work than one who jumps straight in
- Confirm tile supply — most tilers quote labour only. Budget an extra 10% on tile quantity for cuts and breakages; more for patterned or large format tiles
- Wet rooms specifically — ask whether they carry out tanking (waterproofing membrane) themselves or subcontract it. A wet room fitted without proper tanking is a guaranteed future insurance claim
- Check reviews for grout line consistency — this is the clearest indicator of care and experience in a tiler's work
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does a tiler charge per day in the UK?UK tilers typically charge £160–£260 per day nationally. London and South East tilers charge £260–£380/day. Rates vary by tile size, pattern, and substrate condition.
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How much does tiling cost per square metre?Standard wall or floor tiles cost £20–£40/m² in labour. Mosaic tiles, large format, or complex patterns cost £35–£60/m² due to cutting time and waste.
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How much does it cost to tile a bathroom?Tiling a medium bathroom (floor and walls) typically costs £600–£1,500 for labour. Tiles are charged separately. Allow 10–15% extra for cuts and breakages.
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Do tilers charge for removing old tiles?Yes. removal is priced separately, typically £15–£30/m². Disposal is usually charged on top. Confirm this before booking.
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Do tilers charge VAT?Only if VAT registered (turnover over £90,000/year in 2025/26). Many sole-trader tilers work below this threshold. Always check — a 20% VAT add-on changes the total significantly on a larger bathroom job.