Tilers price guide

How much does a tiler cost?

Most Australian tilers charge around $45–$100 per m² to lay standard floor tiles, with the tiles extra, or about $50–$100 an hour for small jobs. Retiling a standard bathroom typically costs $2,000–$5,500, a kitchen splashback $400–$1,200, and waterproofing around $30–$70 per m². Large-format, mosaic and stone tiles cost more to lay.

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Typical price per m² $45–$100 Laying standard floor tiles, tiles extra. Large-format, mosaic and wall tiling cost more.

Typical hourly rate $50–$100 Used for repairs and small jobs. Bigger jobs are usually priced per m² or as a fixed quote.

What common tiler jobs cost

Job	Typical price	Notes
Tile a floor, standard tiles	$45–$100	Per m², laying only
Lay large-format floor tiles	$60–$130	Per m², 600 x 600 mm and bigger
Waterproof a wet area	$30–$70	Per m², under tiles in showers, bathrooms and laundries
Remove old tiles	$20–$55	Per m², plus a skip or rubbish removal
Retile a bathroom	$2,000–$5,500	Standard bathroom, floor and walls. Tiles usually extra
Tile a kitchen splashback	$400–$1,200
Re-grout a bathroom	$300–$800
Tile an outdoor area or alfresco	$60–$120	Per m², slip-rated tiles, laying only

Indicative prices for typical Australian homes, including GST. A guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.

What drives tiling prices

Tile size and type. Standard tiles are the quickest to lay. Large-format tiles need a flatter floor, more adhesive and often two people to handle them, while mosaics, herringbone and other patterns take far more cuts. Natural stone may also need sealing.

Prep. Lifting old tiles, grinding off adhesive, levelling an uneven slab or replacing water-damaged sheeting often takes longer than the tiling. A tiler can’t tell you exactly what’s underneath until the old tiles are up, so allow a contingency on older bathrooms.

Waterproofing. Showers, bathroom floors and laundries need a waterproof membrane under the tiles, done to the Australian Standard for wet areas (AS 3740). In some states the waterproofer must be licensed. It’s usually priced separately, and it’s the one part of a bathroom you really don’t want done cheaply.

Cuts and layout. Small rooms with lots of corners, niches and fittings take more time per square metre than an open floor, which is why a bathroom costs more per m² than a living area.

Getting a fair tiling quote

Check the quote states the area in square metres and the rate, and whether it includes tile supply, removal of old tiles, levelling, waterproofing, grout, silicone and rubbish removal. Ask who does the waterproofing and whether you’ll get a certificate for it. Licensing rules for tiling and waterproofing vary by state, so check the tiler’s licence on our licence checks page before a bigger job.

Compare the quote with the ranges on this page rather than chasing a pile of quotes. needatradie matches you with one vetted local tiler for the job.

Tiler or someone else?

If a shower is leaking into the next room, the cause could be failed waterproofing, a cracked grout line or a leaking pipe, so a plumber may need to look first; see our plumber price guide. If you’re also moving fixtures, replacing the vanity and changing the lights, that’s a bathroom renovation, and our builder price guide covers those costs. For floors, splashbacks, retiling and regrouting, start with our tilers page.

Tilers prices by city

City	What to expect
Sydney	Laying rates run around $50–$120 per m², with large-format porcelain and natural stone at the top end.
Melbourne	Basic ceramic or porcelain usually costs about $60–$80 per m² to lay, and large-format or designer tiles around $80–$120.
Brisbane	Standard floor tiling is often around $40–$90 per m² to lay, with waterproofing in wet areas priced on top.
Perth	Rates are similar to Brisbane. Most homes sit on a concrete slab, which suits floor tiling, but lifting old tiles stuck to concrete takes time.
Adelaide	Often among the cheaper capitals for laying tiles. Reactive clay soils can move slabs and walls, so ask about movement joints to protect the grout.
Gold Coast	Outdoor, pool-surround and balcony tiling is common, and slip ratings, falls to the drains and waterproofing matter as much as the price per m².
Newcastle	Usually a little below Sydney rates. Older fibro and weatherboard homes can hide water damage under bathroom tiles, so keep some money aside for surprises.
Canberra	Toward the higher end of the range. Cold winters slow the curing of adhesive, grout and waterproofing, so bathroom jobs can take a little longer.

Tilers costs: common questions

How much does a tiler charge per m²?

Most tilers charge around $45 to $100 per square metre to lay standard floor tiles, not including the tiles. Large-format tiles, mosaics, feature patterns and wall tiling cost more, often $60 to $130 per square metre or higher. Waterproofing, removing old tiles and levelling the floor are usually priced separately, so check what the rate covers.

How much does a tiler charge per hour or per day?

For repairs and small jobs, around $50 to $100 an hour is typical. Many tilers prefer to quote per square metre or a fixed price for the whole job, because the time depends on the tile size, the layout and how much prep the surface needs. For anything bigger than a small repair, ask for a fixed quote.

How much does it cost to tile a small bathroom?

Retiling a standard bathroom, floor and walls, usually costs $2,000 to $5,500 in labour, before the tiles. Add waterproofing, removing the old tiles and rubbish removal if they're not included. If the job also involves new fixtures, plumbing or moving walls, it becomes a bathroom renovation, which typically costs $15,000 to $35,000.

Do tilers remove old tiles?

Most will, for around $20 to $55 per square metre plus a skip or rubbish removal. Lifting the old tiles can reveal a cracked screed, failed waterproofing or water damage, which has to be fixed before new tiles go down. In homes built before 1990, check for asbestos in old wall sheeting or adhesive before anyone starts breaking things up.

Can you tile over existing tiles?

Sometimes. If the old tiles are flat and firmly bonded, and the extra height won't cause problems with doors, drains or skirting, a tiler may lay new tiles over them with the right primer and adhesive. It's not a good idea in showers and other wet areas, because nobody can check or renew the waterproofing underneath.

Why is tiling so expensive?

Most of the cost is skilled labour and time. A good tiling job needs a flat, sound surface, careful set-out, accurate cuts around fittings and corners, and time for waterproofing, adhesive and grout to cure. Small rooms with lots of cuts take longer per square metre than a big open floor, which is why bathrooms cost more per m² than living areas.

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