Aug 09, 2021
Tiling
You can expect to pay your tiler between $60 to $150 per m2 to lay your tiles, though the final figure will depend on their experience, your choice of tiles, and the complexity of the installation.
As a rule of thumb, more intricate or labour-intensive projects will set you back more. For example, a herringbone pattern will cost more than staggered brick. So don’t hire an expert just yet, read on for a full breakdown of price across tiles, installation, maintenance and more.
Did you know you’ll spend over two years of your life in the bathroom?
Add in time spent in the kitchen and laundry, and that’s a serious chunk of time with your feet on the tiles. With so much of your life spent walking on and looking at the tiles underfoot, there’s a good chance you want to install a tile that reflects your style and your home’s decor.
At the same time, you don’t want to overpay and be reminded of your mis-spend every time you pull out the toothpaste to brush your teeth.
Thankfully, the savvy Perth homeowner can save thousands on their tiles by knowing what to look for, where to cut costs (without cutting corners), and landing a renovation that comes in under budget.
Although tiling is one of the costlier aspects of a kitchen or bathroom renovation, we’ve rounded up the latest prices in the Perth market so you can move ahead with your next home improvement project with confidence.
How long is a piece of string?
There are dozens of tile materials currently lining the bathrooms and kitchens of Australian homes from Perth to Sydney, so it helps to break down the most popular materials to understand their costs.
Each type of tile brings its own advantages and disadvantages, so while certain tiles may be cheaper, it’s better to look at your home improvement project as a whole and make a decision based on your style and needs, not price alone.
| Tile Material | Average Price |
| Marble Tiles | $55/m2 |
| Mosaic Tiles | $45/interlocking sheet |
| Terrazzo Tiles | $90/m2 to $250/m2 |
| Ceramic Tiles | $20/m2 to $30/m2 |
| Porcelain Tiles | $50/m2 to $100/m2 |
| Natural Stone Tiles | $80/m2 to $130/m2 |
PLEASE NOTE: These average costs are for the tiles only, and don’t include installation.
Marble tiles are cut from marble (the name is a giveaway) and offer a highly durable material that’s aesthetically stunning, easily polished, and suits a range of internal and external uses. On the flipside, marble is relatively difficult to install and is a more expensive tile option.
Marble Tiles Cost: $55/m2
Mosaic tiles are non-porous, making them resistant to stains, mildew and mould and make cleaning a breeze. With a chemical-resistant finish, these tiles are highly suited for kitchen and bathroom floors.
Mosaic Tiles Cost: $45 per interlocking sheet
Terrazzo tiles are the workhorses of the tile world, with a high compressive strength able to withstand heavy foot traffic or vehicular traffic. Once sealed, terrazzo tiles are impervious to stains or water damage, and although they are on the pricey side for tiles, you don’t have to worry about ongoing repairs, maintenance or replacements.
Terrazzo Tiles Cost: $90/m2 to $250/m2
Ceramic tiles can be used on floors or walls, with the difference coming down to Coefficient of Friction (COF) rating and Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating. A tile that truly works in any room of the house, ceramic tiles may not have the ‘WOW’ factor of marble, but they’re still a stylish option suited for any budget.
Ceramic Tiles Cost: $20/m2 to $30/m2
Porcelain tiles are highly resistant to wear and tear and can stand up to heavy foot traffic over the years. Both harder and denser than most other ceramic tile options, you won’t have to worry about endless scratches, stains or fading.
Porcelain Tiles Cost: $50/m2 to $100/m2
Natural stone tiles offer a timeless beauty to any Perth home, with an elegant finish that’s tough to look past. You’ll typically pay extra for natural stone tiles, though the aesthetic value and range of stones (granite, travertine, limestone, etc) are sturdy, durable and will last for decades.
Porcelain Tiles Cost: $80/m2 to $130/m2
Nope.
But here’s where things get tricky. A cheap tile isn’t necessarily an indicator of poor quality. For example, porcelain tiles will always come in at a lower price-point than marble, but that doesn’t mean porcelain is going to leave you pulling your hair out down the line.
Instead, be cautious of varying price points for the SAME tile materials.
For example, a discount porcelain tile may seem like a bargain as you plan your next kitchen renovation, but cheaper porcelain tiles may be thinner (5mm or under), of a poorer quality, or lack proper glazing.
At the end of the day, cheaper tiles will help you save cents upfront, but you’ll be spending dollars down the line when your cheap tiles aren’t as durable or lose their finish before you can say “I’ve got serious tile regret!”
Low range tiling jobs are typically smaller, meaning your local Perth tiler can complete the work at a price point that works for you, without destroying their margins.
Expect to pay mid-range prices for more experienced experts or jobs of a more complex nature, for example a large bathroom with a complex pattern.
Premium tiling jobs cost more due to the choice of tiles (for example, custom marble tiles, mosaics or subway tiles) or the scope of your job.
Let’s be honest, you might not want to be responsible for laying hundreds of tiles, so it helps to know what a professional tiler will set you back.
As with most home improvement projects, the answer is “it depends”, but we also know how frustrating that answer is when you’re looking to price a new bathroom or kitchen, so here’s what you’ll need to factor in when hiring a professional.
For a start, the tougher your job, the more expensive an expert will cost. This isn’t directly due to the complexity of the job, simply because the job will take longer and most Australian experts will charge by the hour, or by the job.
An average Australian tiler will charge $45 to $75 per square metre for installation.
MODERN TREND TILING TIP: Ask your tiler to submit a quote with a breakdown of all included costs. This is a more accurate figure that includes the cost of your tiles, installation and any overheads - whereas a rate per hour can tell a misleading story.
Tile installation is an umbrella term that each tiler may define differently.
For example, a local handyman might only consider the tiles and their time as ‘installation’, In contrast, an experienced and professional tiler will include the following in their installation service:
If you’re laying tiles on a wooden surface you’ll also need to factor in the cost of laying a substrate (e.g. fibre-cement) to provide a strong foundation for your tiles.
Alright, you’ve picked your favourite tile (and used our table above to estimate the rough cost per square metre), and factored in the average cost of tile installation - but there’s a few other possible expenditures to take into account.
Size matters, whether you’re tiling your bathroom, kitchen or laundry, but it’s not the only consideration.
Depending on your choice of tile, you can end up paying MORE for a small bathroom than a cheaper tile in a large bathroom. So don’t base your expected costs on the size of your soon-to-be renovated room alone.
We’ve rounded up the most important factors that influence your tiling costs.
Is your tiler starting from scratch, for example as part of a home extension? Or, are they updating your well-used family bathroom?
Preparation tasks will add to your overall cost, with any tile removal costing between $20 to $50 per square metre depending on the type of tiles already in place. If extra tools are needed, like a concrete grinder, then your quote will go up.
Laying tile isn’t as easy as choosing an empty spot on the floor and throwing down a piece of porcelain or marble. Your tiler will need to cover:
Alright, you’ve picked your favourite tiles, had them professionally installed in an eye-catching and stylish pattern, and you’ve left a nice 5-star review online as thanks for a job well done.
But there’s still a future cost to factor in - how often will your new tiles need maintenance and what will that cost?
OK, we know that was *technically* two questions but we’ll answer them both for you right now.
Tile maintenance is typically tile cleaning, as your tiles will become worn out and stained over time (and that’s true whether they’re in a busy kitchen or a busy bathroom). While tiles can crack and require repairs (which we’ll cover below), the most common form of maintenance is cleaning your tiles and grout.
Annual tile cleaning can extend the life of your surfaces and help you save money in the long run.
Expect to pay $35 to $40 for tile and grout cleaning in Australia.
Tile is a durable covering for your home’s floors and walls, but it’s not immune to damage.
Whether your tiles are made from porcelain, marble, ceramic, terracotta or anything in between, wear and tear can lead to cracks and chips that ruin the aesthetic appeal of your home and create safety hazards, so it’s crucial you organise professional tile repair in these instances.
Naturally, replacing tiles is tougher than an annual clean, with many companies charging a minimum service fee even if you’re only dealing with a small crack or hairline fracture. Across Australia, the average cost of tile repair is $425, but this will depend on the severity of your damage, the type of tile, and the expertise of your chosen tile repair team.
Expect to pay between $250 and $600 for tile repair in Australia.
Every home improvement project is exciting, but not when your budget starts to spiral out of control.
We’re a family-owned business so we know the importance of keeping costs under control, and strive to support our local community with premium tiles, exceptional installation services, unrivalled customer service, and a 12-year guarantee on all workmanship.
If you’re looking to get a new project off the ground, keep your money in your pocket and request a fast and FREE estimate today to weigh up your options and find out if we’re the right Perth team for you.
