How Much Does a Tiler Cost per Square Metre?

Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 2018 and may now be outdated. 

Your tiler will charge you anywhere from $35 per square metre to $120 per square metre. This brings us to the average of $60/m2. This price is a rough calculation. There are many factors that determine how much you will be charged. Some of the factors that determine the price of your tiling will include:

• The type of tiles
• Tiling design
• The accessibility of the surface
• Whether the tile removal is involved

However, for the real and precise price for your own project, you need to choose the tiles, calculate the surface of your tiling and then ask for a quote from a professional tiler. Here is how those factors influence your cost of tiling.

With the exception of the New South Wales area, the rest of Australia doesn’t require the tilers to be licenced. However, you will definitely want your tiler to be insured and you should ask them for a written description and quote about the work they are offering before you commit to a project.

Sometimes, you will see that the quote includes tile removal and the debris disposal. If you are up to it, you can do that part yourself and ask for a quote that doesn’t include those works.

Besides the price estimate, ask for the duration of the tiling work. Of course, unforeseen circumstances can always happen and your tiler doesn’t have to be accurate to a day, but a rough estimate will suffice.

Check if your tiler includes the tiles in their quote, as well. Sometimes, they can find them at discount prices, so it can pay off to buy the tiles off them. If you want your tiles polished or waterproofed, you need to put that in writing, as well.

How Do Tilers Price A Job?

Tilers can charge you by the hour or they can charge you by the square metre. Agree on the type of charging in advance. For both of these types of charging, you can expect some sort of minimum. Some tilers simply won’t take up any tiling work that they cannot charge below a certain price. Here are some of the factors that determine the cost of tiling:

The type of tiles – the more complex the tiles are, the more you will be charged. It is not the same whether you need to put 50 tiny or 5 average sized tiles on a square metre.

On the other hand, covering the entire surface with just two big tiles is not as easy as you may think. On the contrary, huge tiles will cost you more than small tiles.

Also, more expensive and fragile tiles also cost more to install. Breaking them would make a dent in your tiler’s pocket, so this is insurance. They take more time to install, because your tiler needs to be more careful with them.

Tiling design – this is where things can get very complicated. There are some tiles that are mosaic like and they are meant to be placed in a certain way so they form a big picture. That is all nice, but it also increases the cost of tiling.

It takes time and effort to find the appropriate tile for the appropriate place. If you simply have one colour tiles that just need to be placed one next to another, it is easier tiling work, therefore less expensive. Also, asymetrical or any other type of tile position is also extra.

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The accessibility of the surface – the areas in which you can expect to lay tiles are kitchens, bathrooms, laundry and poolsides. However, people also put tiles on their porches, dining room floors and similar areas.

Now, it the surface that needs to be tiled is easily accessible and there are no obstacles to reach every corner – the price is regular. But, if there are some difficult, uneven or irregularly shaped walls, the tiles need to be cut and tailored and that boosts the cost of tiling.

Tile removal and additional work – the cost of tiling will usually include just that – tiling. That is far from being the only thing that needs to be done, especially if you are replacing the old tiles in your home. Removing the old tiles and cleaning up the debris that remains behind them is a long job that will cost you extra.

If the walls need to be scrubbed down to remove any of the old glue or to be prepared in any kind of way, make sure it is already listed in the quote. There is also a matter of finishing the tiling work. Will your tiler polish the tiles? Do your tiles need waterproofing? Make sure you ask and get it all in writing.

How Much Do Tilers Charge per Hour?

The cost of tiling per hour is around $45 to $60. You are more likely to be charged by the square metre than by the hour, but this can happen, as well. Be prepared that these prices can sometimes vary even from $40 to $100.

The reasons for such huge variations are the same as for the per metre. However, you are less likely to be charged more per hour due to the fact that your tiling designs are more complicated.

This only means that they will spend more time on them and that is already in the hourly price. On the other hand, the fragility and the difficulty of the job at hand is definitely something that costs extra, even when charged by the hour.

How Much Do Tiles Cost?

You can find tiles for as little as $20 per square metre. The highest price? Well, the sky’s the limit. Today, there are so many amazing tiling designs and ideas that you can find whatever you may want. The most expensive everyday household tiles are the porcelain floor tiles and they can go up to $150 per square metre.

There are, of course, the designer tiles that are so expensive sometimes, that there are cases when they are sold by piece and not by square metre.

The price of tiles, like we already suggested, influences the price of installation. These prices of tiles are averages, but they may vary greatly.

If you don’t have precise tiles on your mind, talk to your tiler and ask for recommendations. Tilers usually don’t charge the call out fee, but their estimates based on the situation they see in your home are precious. They can even recommend some tiles for you and even get them at the traders’ prices.

Get the quotes from experienced Australian tilers and plan your budget according to the cost of tiling tailored to your precise project.