How much does it cost to tile a bathroom?

A typical UK bathroom of around 2m × 2.5m has roughly 5m² of floor and, if fully tiled to the ceiling, 18–22m² of wall once you take off the door and window.

For a small bathroom with half-height wall tiles and a tiled floor, labour usually comes to £700–£1,200. For an average bathroom tiled floor to ceiling, expect £1,400–£2,500 in labour. A shower enclosure on its own is usually £400–£800.

Those figures are for labour. Tiles themselves can cost anything from £15 per m² for basic ceramic to £60 per m² or more for porcelain or natural stone, plus adhesive, grout, trims and sealant. A sensible budget for materials on a mid-range bathroom is £400–£1,200.

Most bathroom tiling takes three to five days including preparation and grouting.

Wall tiling labour is usually £35–£60 per m², and floor tiling £30–£55 per m². Walls cost slightly more per m² because of cutting around pipes, windows and fittings, and because wall tiles are usually smaller.

Tile size changes the rate. Standard tiles around 300 × 600mm are the quickest. Small mosaics, metro tiles in a herringbone pattern and very large-format porcelain all take longer, and £50–£80 per m² is normal for them. Natural stone needs sealing and careful handling and sits at the top end.

Small jobs are often charged by the day rather than the metre. A tiler's day rate is typically £180–£280, and most have a minimum charge of half a day.

Showers and wet rooms need proper waterproofing behind the tiles. Tiles and grout are not waterproof on their own, and water getting into plasterboard or timber behind a shower is one of the most common causes of expensive bathroom damage.

Tanking means applying a waterproof membrane or system to the walls and floor before tiling. It typically adds £150–£450 for a shower area and more for a full wet room. Cement-based tile backer boards are often used in place of plasterboard around showers for the same reason.

Removing old tiles usually costs £10–£25 per m², and can damage the plaster underneath. If the walls need re-boarding or re-skimming before tiling, that is a further cost, often a few hundred pounds. Tiling over old tiles is sometimes possible on floors and sound walls, but most tilers prefer to strip back.

If the job involves moving pipes or electrics, the plumbing and electrical work must be done first. Electrical work in bathrooms falls under Part P of the Building Regulations and should be done by a registered electrician.

A kitchen splashback, a strip of tiles between the worktop and wall cupboards, usually costs £150–£450 to tile depending on length and tile choice. Many tilers will treat this as a half or full day job.

A kitchen floor of 10–15m² typically costs £450–£1,000 in labour. Floors often need levelling compound or a plywood overlay on timber floors before tiling, which adds time and materials. Removing old vinyl or tiles adds more.

Underfloor heating mats are often fitted at the same time. The electrical connection must be done by a qualified electrician, and the mat needs to be in place and tested before the tiles go down.

Area. Measure walls and floor separately, as they are priced differently.

Tile size and layout. Large-format, mosaics and patterns such as herringbone cost more per m².

Preparation. Old tiles to remove, uneven walls, timber floors and boarding all add time before tiling can start.

Waterproofing. Showers and wet rooms need tanking.

Finish. Mitred edges, niches, and tiled boxing-in take longer than plastic or metal trims.

Access and timing. If the bathroom is the only one in the house, the tiler may need to work around you, which can stretch the job.

1. Measure each wall to be tiled (width × height) and subtract the door and window. Add the walls together. 2. Measure the floor area. 3. Multiply wall m² by £35–£60, and floor m² by £30–£55. 4. Add removal, tanking and materials.

Example: an average bathroom with 20m² of wall and 5m² of floor. Walls 20 × £35–£60 = £700–£1,200. Floor 5 × £30–£55 = £150–£275. Remove old tiles 25m² × £10–£25 = £250–£625. Tank the shower £150–£450. That gives roughly £1,250–£2,550 in labour, plus tiles and materials.

On BidMyJob you can post the job with measurements and photos, and local tilers bid, so you can compare prices for your room.

Tile only where it is needed. Fully tiling around the shower and bath, with half-height or painted walls elsewhere, can cut the area by a third or more.

Pick standard-size tiles in a straight lay. They are quicker to fit and waste less.

Order 10–15% extra rather than running short and paying for a return visit.

Strip the room yourself, but only if you are confident, and leave anything involving pipes or electrics to the professionals.

Get quotes that list preparation, tanking, trims and grout colour, so you are comparing like for like.