Most of the work in good tiling happens before a tile goes on. The wall has to be flat, sound and strong enough for the weight, and the shower area waterproofed so a hairline crack in the grout never reaches the board behind. Then comes the setting-out: centring tiles on the window or basin, deciding where cuts fall, and lining joints up with niches and edges. Large tiles show every bump in a wall, so they need more preparation, not less.
Bathroom tiling is priced per square metre. Ceramic wall tiles typically cost £45 to £65 per m² supply and fit, porcelain on walls and floors £60 to £90 per m², and large-format porcelain or natural stone £85 to £130 per m², including VAT. A typical bathroom takes two to four working days to tile, depending on the area, the tile size and how much preparation the walls need.
What does bathroom tiling with us include?
- Measuring wall and floor areas and working out quantities with an allowance for cuts
- Checking walls for flatness and strength, and boarding with cement-based backer board where needed
- Tanking the shower area and the walls around the bath with a waterproof membrane or liquid system
- Setting out so cuts are even and joints line up with niches, windows and edges
- Fixing with an adhesive suited to the tile and the surface, with levelling clips for large tiles
- Floor preparation: overlaying timber floors with ply or backer board, or levelling a screed
- Grouting, trims or mitred edges, and silicone at internal corners, the bath and the tray
- Sealing natural stone and cleaning off grout haze before handover
How much does bathroom tiling cost?
Our UK guide range is £45–£90 per m² including VAT. Typical prices by kind of job:
Ceramic
- Standard ceramic wall tiles
- Wet areas or half height
- Grout and trims
Porcelain
- Porcelain walls and floor
- Full height in wet zones
- Levelling system for large tiles
Large-format or stone
- Large-format porcelain or natural stone
- Mitred edges, niches
- Sealing where needed
National guide prices including VAT, reviewed October 2026. London is typically about 25% higher and the North East, Wales and Northern Ireland around 7–12% lower. Your written quote after the survey is the price that counts.
What do you need to decide?
Ceramic or porcelain
Ceramic is lighter, easier to cut and cheaper, and is fine on walls. Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water, so it suits floors and showers.
Tile size
Large-format tiles mean fewer grout lines but need flat walls and more preparation. Small tiles and mosaics follow uneven surfaces and grip better underfoot.
Floor grip
For a bathroom floor, choose a matt or textured tile with a slip rating of R10 or above. Smaller tiles with more grout lines grip better in a shower.
Grout
Cement-based grout is standard. Epoxy grout resists stains and mould better and suits showers, but takes longer to apply and costs more.
Edges
Metal or PVC trims are quick and protect tile edges. Mitred edges look cleaner on porcelain and take more labour.
Natural stone
Marble, limestone and travertine need sealing and gentle cleaners, and can mark. Stone-effect porcelain gives a similar look without the upkeep.
