How to Quote Tiling Jobs: A Practical Guide for Australian Tilers

1. Calculate your true cost per hour

Before you set a rate, know what it actually costs to put a tiler on the tools for one hour. Every dollar below this number comes out of your margin.

A 30-40% margin on $52.30 gives a charge-out rate of $68-73 per hour. That lines up with the $60-120 range most Australian tilers charge, depending on location and specialisation. Tilers who specialise in natural stone, large-format tiles, or pool tiling sit toward the higher end because the skill, tooling, and risk premium are higher.

If you employ tilers, multiply their base wage by 1.35-1.50 to cover super, workers comp, leave loading, and downtime. A $35/hour employee costs you $47-53/hour before you add vehicle, insurance, and overheads.

2. Three pricing models for tiling work

Per square metre

The industry standard for most tiling work. The customer knows the cost scales with the area, and you can quote accurately once you have the measurements and tile selection. Most tilers quote labour and adhesive/grout per square metre, with tiles either supplied by the customer or quoted separately.

Best for: floor tiling, wall tiling, large areas, new builds, and renovation tiling where the surface area and tile type are confirmed.

Fixed price

A single all-in price for a defined scope of work. The customer gets certainty and you get clarity. This works when you know the exact area, tile selection, surface condition, and waterproofing requirements before you quote.

Best for: full bathroom retiles, kitchen splashbacks, laundry tiling, and packaged renovation work where the builder or homeowner wants one number.

Hourly (time and materials)

Charge by the hour plus materials at cost or with a margin. This protects you when the scope is uncertain and protects the customer from overpaying on small jobs.

Best for: small repairs, single tile replacements, re-grouting, silicone renewal, and investigative work (checking membrane condition, assessing substrate).

Many tilers use a blend: per-square-metre pricing for the tiling labour and fixed allowances for waterproofing, surface prep, and trims. This gives the customer a clear total while keeping each component trackable for your own costing.

3. Hourly rates by city

These are charge-out rates (what you bill the customer), covering labour, basic tools, and travel within the metro area. Rates vary with experience, specialisation, and the type of work.

Sydney and Melbourne sit 15-25% above regional areas because of higher operating costs, stronger demand, and the density of large renovation projects. Darwin commands a premium due to a smaller trade workforce and remoteness loading. Regional towns outside the metro areas typically sit $10-15 per hour below the city mid-point.

4. Per-square-metre rates by tile type

These are labour rates including adhesive application and grouting. Tile supply, waterproofing, surface preparation, and trims are priced separately. The rate reflects the skill, cutting time, and risk involved with each tile type.

Wall tiling generally runs $5-15 per square metre above the equivalent floor rate. Working vertically is slower, fixtures create complex cuts, and the tiler works in confined spaces around plumbing penetrations. Full-height tiling (floor to ceiling) in a bathroom attracts the wall rate for the upper section and floor rate for the base.

Pattern complexity is the biggest variable. A straight-lay 600x600 porcelain floor moves at 12-16 square metres per day. The same area in herringbone drops to 6-8 square metres per day because every edge tile is a cut and alignment is exacting.

5. Common job benchmarks

These are installed prices including tiling labour, adhesive, grout, and trims. Tile supply, waterproofing, and surface preparation are excluded unless noted. All figures ex GST.

Small areas attract a higher per-square-metre rate because setup, cutting, cleanup, and travel time stay roughly the same regardless of whether the job is 3 square metres or 30. Most tilers set a minimum charge of $300-500 to cover the base cost of showing up with tools and materials.

6. Material costs

Tiles are either supplied by the customer or quoted as a separate line item. When you supply tiles, apply a 15-25% markup to cover ordering, checking for defects, storage, delivery coordination, and the risk of returns. Always list tile supply and labour as separate lines so the customer sees the breakdown.

Adhesive choice matters for the job and the quote. Standard cement-based adhesive ($8-15/sqm) suits most ceramic and porcelain work on stable substrates. Flexible adhesive ($12-22/sqm) is required for large-format tiles, heated floors, timber substrates, and external applications where thermal movement is a factor. Rapid-set adhesive lets you grout the same day but costs more and requires faster work.

Epoxy grout ($15-35/sqm) is a premium product that resists staining, mould, and chemicals. It is standard in commercial kitchens, pools, and high-end bathrooms. Cement-based grout ($5-10/sqm) is the default for most residential work. When the customer asks for epoxy, quote it as a separate line so the cost difference is visible.

7. Waterproofing costs and requirements

Waterproofing is mandatory in all wet areas under Australian Standard AS 3740. This includes showers, bathroom floors, laundry floors, balconies over habitable rooms, and swimming pools. The membrane must be applied and certified before any tiles go down.

The certificate is a legal requirement in most states. It confirms the membrane has been applied to the correct standard and is issued by the licensed waterproofer (or the tiler, if they hold the appropriate endorsement). Keep a copy for your records and provide one to the customer and the certifying authority.

In NSW, waterproofing work in wet areas must be done by a holder of a Waterproofing Specialist Licence or a builder with the appropriate scope. In Queensland, a QBCC licence with the appropriate class is required. In Victoria, the tiler can self-certify if they hold a waterproofing endorsement through the VBA. Check your state requirements and display the correct licence on your quote.

The waterproofing membrane needs 24 hours minimum to cure before tiling begins. This day of curing time is part of your job timeline and pricing. Rushing the cure risks membrane failure, which means pulling tiles and starting again at your cost.

8. Surface preparation costs

The substrate must be flat, clean, and structurally sound before tiling. Surface preparation is where many tilers underquote because the scope becomes clear only after the old tiles come off. Inspect the substrate at the quote stage and build in a realistic allowance. When the condition is truly unknown (covered by existing tiles), state a provisional allowance and explain that the final cost depends on what is underneath.

Surface preparation typically adds 20-40% to the base tiling cost on a renovation job. On new builds, the substrate is usually ready to tile with minimal prep, which is why new-build tiling rates are often lower per square metre than renovation work.

For large-format tiles (600x600mm and above), the substrate flatness tolerance is 3mm over 2 metres. Standard plasterboard and concrete slabs often require levelling or grinding to meet this. A straight edge and a torch at the quote stage will show you the substrate condition and let you price preparation accurately.

9. Calculating tile waste

Every tiling job produces waste from cuts, breakages, and defective tiles. Underordering leads to delays, colour-batch mismatches, and a second delivery charge. Overordering ties up the customer's money. Get the percentage right and you build trust while protecting the job timeline.

Always round up to the nearest full box when ordering. Most tile suppliers sell by the box (typically 1.0-1.5 sqm per box for standard format), and part-box returns are rarely accepted. When quoting tile supply, calculate the area, add the waste percentage, round up to full boxes, and price accordingly.

Tell the customer why the order includes extra tiles. A clear line on the quote like "Floor tiles: 8.3 sqm (7.5 sqm measured + 10% cutting waste, rounded to 6 boxes)" builds confidence and avoids the conversation later.

10. Licensing by state and territory

Wall and floor tiling is a licensed trade across Australia. The base qualification is a Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling (CPC31320). Licensing thresholds and requirements vary by state.

Display your licence number on every quote, invoice, and contract. It signals professionalism to the customer and is a legal requirement in most states. Customers comparing quotes will check licence numbers, and builders require them for compliance documentation.

11. Compliance and certificates

Tiling work triggers several compliance requirements, particularly in wet areas and renovations.

Waterproofing certificate (AS 3740)

Mandatory for all wet areas: showers, bathroom floors, laundry floors, and balconies over habitable rooms. The certificate confirms the membrane meets the Australian Standard and must be issued before tiling begins. Keep a copy, give one to the customer, and provide one to the certifier or builder.

Building permits

Tiling alone rarely requires a building permit. Permits are triggered when the work involves structural changes (moving walls, changing floor levels, altering plumbing layouts) or when the overall renovation value exceeds the permit threshold in your state. When you are tiling as part of a larger renovation, the builder or owner is responsible for obtaining the permit, but confirm this at the quote stage.

Home warranty insurance

In NSW, Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) insurance is required for residential work over $20,000. In Victoria, domestic building insurance is required for work over $16,000. When your tiling work forms part of a larger project that exceeds these thresholds, confirm who holds the insurance (usually the head contractor).

Asbestos

Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos in adhesives, backing sheets, and floor tiles (especially vinyl tiles and their black bitumen adhesive). If you suspect asbestos during tile removal, stop work and arrange testing ($50-150 per sample). Licensed asbestos removal is required if confirmed. Build a provisional asbestos testing allowance into quotes for pre-1990 homes.

Slip resistance

Floor tiles in wet areas, commercial spaces, and outdoor settings must meet slip-resistance standards. AS 4586 classifies tiles by their slip resistance (R-rating for wet barefoot areas, P-rating for other areas). When specifying tiles, confirm the R or P rating suits the application. This is part of your professional value as a tiler and protects both you and the customer.

12. Worked example: full bathroom retile, Brisbane

A homeowner in Brisbane wants their main bathroom retiled. The existing ceramic tiles (walls and floor) will be removed and replaced with porcelain floor tiles and ceramic subway wall tiles. The bathroom measures 3.0m x 2.5m with a 2.4m ceiling height.

Measurements

• Floor area: 3.0m x 2.5m = 7.5 sqm
• Shower zone walls (floor to ceiling): 2.5m wide x 2.4m high = 6.0 sqm
• Remaining walls (half-height, 1.2m, minus door opening): 14.0 sqm
• Total wall tiling: 20.0 sqm
• Total tiled area: 27.5 sqm
• Waterproofing area (shower zone walls + full floor): 13.5 sqm

Quote breakdown

Verification

• Per-sqm all-in rate: $6,519.90 / 27.5 sqm = $237 per square metre ex GST. This sits within the $200-350/sqm range for a full bathroom retile with waterproofing, prep, and tile supply in Brisbane.
• Timeline: 5 working days (Day 1: removal + levelling. Day 2: waterproofing + cure. Days 3-4: tiling. Day 5: grouting, silicone, cleanup).
• The 10% tile waste allowance is appropriate for a straight-lay subway and 600x600 porcelain in a small bathroom with multiple fixtures and cuts.

When the customer supplies their own tiles, remove the two tile supply lines ($481.40 + $836.00 = $1,317.40) and the total drops to $5,202.50 ex GST ($5,722.75 inc GST). Make this clear on the quote so the customer understands the saving and their responsibility for ordering the correct quantity with waste allowance.

13. Presenting your tiling quote

Quote within 24 hours

The first professional quote in the inbox wins a disproportionate share of jobs. After a site visit, aim to send the quote the same day or the next morning. The customer is comparing you with every day that passes.

Itemise everything

Break the quote into clear sections: tile removal, surface preparation, waterproofing, tile supply (if included), tiling labour, adhesive and grout, trims, and waste disposal. Lump-sum quotes invite suspicion about what is and what is missing. Line items build trust and make variations easier to manage.

Separate labour from materials

Show tiling labour per square metre and materials (tiles, adhesive, grout, trims) as separate lines. When the customer supplies tiles, you remove that line and the quote still works. When they upgrade tiles mid-job, you adjust one line and re-issue.

State what is included and what is excluded

List inclusions (waterproofing, certificate, tile supply if applicable, grouting, silicone, cleanup) and exclusions (plumbing, electrical, painting, vanity installation, building permits). This prevents scope disputes and sets clear expectations.

Show your licence and insurance

Display your licence number, ABN, public liability cover, and waterproofing endorsement (if held) on the quote header. Customers and builders check these details, and having them visible signals professionalism.

Include a validity period

Tile prices, adhesive costs, and labour rates change. State a validity period (typically 30 days) so you can re-quote if the customer comes back months later. Material supply-chain disruptions have made this more important in recent years.

Follow up within 48 hours

A short follow-up message confirms you are responsive and gives the customer a chance to ask questions. Many jobs are won by the tiler who follows up while the others go silent.

14. Frequently asked questions