Understanding Tiling Costs in the UK
The cost of tiling a room in the UK depends on far more than just the tiles themselves. Materials like adhesive, grout, primer, and preparation products add 25–40% to the raw tile cost, and professional labour typically doubles the total. Our cost estimator breaks down every component so you can budget accurately before committing to a project.
The figures in our calculator are based on 2026 UK market prices, averaged across major retailers (Topps Tiles, Wickes, B&Q, Tile Giant, Porcelain Superstore) and trade pricing from builders' merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewson, Buildbase). Labour rates are sourced from Checkatrade, MyBuilder, and Rated People averages, with regional adjustments noted below.
Tile Prices by Material (2026 UK Market)
Tile prices vary enormously depending on the material, manufacturer, finish, and where you buy them. Here is a comprehensive guide to current UK pricing:
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles remain the most affordable option and account for the majority of tiles sold in the UK. They are made from a mixture of clays fired at temperatures between 900–1,100°C. The glazed surface provides colour and pattern, while the body (biscuit) is typically red or white.
- Budget: £8–15/m² at B&Q and Wickes. Basic colours, limited designs.
- Mid-range: £20–35/m² at Topps Tiles and Tile Giant. Better designs, more finishes.
- Premium: £40–55/m² from specialist retailers. Hand-glazed, artisan finishes.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are fired at much higher temperatures (1,200–1,400°C) than ceramic, producing a denser, harder, and less porous tile. Through-body porcelain has colour that extends all the way through, so chips are less noticeable. Porcelain has overtaken ceramic as the most popular choice for UK bathrooms and kitchens.
- Budget: £18–25/m² at Porcelain Superstore, Wickes, and B&Q online.
- Mid-range: £30–50/m² at Topps Tiles, Walls and Floors, and Tile Giant.
- Premium: £55–80/m² from Fired Earth, Domus, and specialist suppliers.
Natural Stone
Natural stone tiles (marble, limestone, travertine, slate, granite) offer a unique, organic look that no manufactured tile can truly replicate. Every tile has natural variation in colour, veining, and texture. The trade-off is higher cost, the need for sealing, and more maintenance.
- Budget: £35–50/m² for Indian slate and basic limestone from Tile Mountain or similar.
- Mid-range: £55–80/m² for travertine, quality limestone from Mandarin Stone or Stone Superstore.
- Premium: £85–150+/m² for marble, rare limestone from Ca’ Pietra, Lapicida, or Fired Earth.
Additional Materials Costs
Tiles are only one part of the materials bill. Here is what else you need to budget for:
| Material | Coverage | Cost (2026) | Cost/m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard adhesive (20kg bag) | 4–6 m² | £18–25 | £4–6 |
| Rapid-set adhesive (20kg bag) | 4–5 m² | £22–30 | £5–7 |
| Flexible adhesive S1 (20kg bag) | 3–5 m² | £25–35 | £6–10 |
| Standard grout (5kg bag) | 4–8 m² | £8–15 | £1.50–3 |
| Epoxy grout (5kg) | 4–6 m² | £25–40 | £5–8 |
| Tile primer (5 litres) | 15–25 m² | £15–25 | £0.75–1.50 |
| Tanking membrane (liquid, 5kg) | 3–5 m² | £30–50 | £8–15 |
| Self-levelling compound (25kg) | 3–5 m² | £20–30 | £5–8 |
| Tile backer board (per sheet) | ~1.4 m² | £12–22 | £8–15 |
| Tile trim (2.5m length) | 2.5 metres | £5–15 | £2–6/m |
| Silicone sealant (tube) | 3–6 metres | £5–10 | £1–3/m |
Labour Rates: What Tilers Charge in the UK
Professional tilers in the UK charge by the square metre, by the day, or occasionally by the job. The per-square-metre rate is the most transparent method and what our calculator uses. Here are typical 2026 rates based on Checkatrade and MyBuilder data:
| Job Type | Rate Range | London Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Simple floor tiling (straight lay) | £25–35/m² | £35–50/m² |
| Complex floor (diagonal/herringbone) | £35–45/m² | £45–60/m² |
| Wall tiling (standard) | £30–40/m² | £40–55/m² |
| Large-format tiles (800mm+) | £35–50/m² | £50–65/m² |
| Mosaic tiling | £40–55/m² | £55–75/m² |
| Natural stone (with sealing) | £40–55/m² | £55–70/m² |
| Wet room (inc. tanking) | £50–70/m² | £65–90/m² |
Regional Variations
Tiling labour rates vary significantly across the UK. London and the South East are the most expensive, with rates 20–30% above the national average. The Midlands and the North of England are typically 10–15% below the London rate. Scotland and Wales fall broadly in line with the national average, though remote rural areas may charge travel supplements. Northern Ireland tends to be 10–20% below English rates.
DIY vs Professional: A Cost Comparison
Is DIY tiling worth the savings? Here is a realistic comparison for a standard UK bathroom (5m² floor + 18m² walls = 23m² total):
| Cost Element | Professional | DIY |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range porcelain tiles | £920 | £920 |
| Adhesive, grout, primer | £280 | £280 |
| Labour | £800–1,000 | £0 |
| Tool hire/purchase | £0 | £80–150 |
| Wastage tiles (extra for mistakes) | 10% | 15–20% |
| Total | £2,000–2,200 | £1,350–1,500 |
DIY saves roughly £600–700 in this example but adds 15–25 hours of your own time (a professional would complete the same job in 3–4 days). The quality risk is also higher with DIY — uneven grout lines, lippage (tiles sitting at different heights), and failed waterproofing in wet areas can lead to expensive repairs later.
Where to Buy Tiles in the UK: Retailer Comparison
The UK tile market is served by a mix of national chains, online retailers, and specialist suppliers. Here is a guide to the main options:
- Topps Tiles: The UK's largest specialist tile retailer with over 300 stores. Excellent range from budget to premium. Regular "3 for 2" and percentage-off promotions. Trade accounts available. Prices: £12–80/m².
- Wickes: Strong budget and mid-range selection. Good for basic bathroom and kitchen tiles. Limited premium range. Prices: £8–45/m². Also stocks adhesive, grout, and tools.
- B&Q: Similar to Wickes with a focus on budget tiles. GoodHome own-brand range offers decent value. Prices: £8–40/m². Convenient click-and-collect service.
- Tile Giant: Large-format specialists with a growing range. Competitive on porcelain tiles. Part of the Travis Perkins group. Prices: £15–65/m².
- Porcelain Superstore: Online specialist with excellent prices on porcelain floor and wall tiles. Free samples. Nationwide delivery. Prices: £18–55/m².
- Walls and Floors: Online retailer with regular sales. Good for wood-effect and stone-effect porcelain. Prices: £15–60/m².
- Fired Earth: Premium designer tiles and natural stone. Beautiful showrooms. Prices: £45–150+/m².
- Mandarin Stone: Natural stone and premium porcelain specialists. Outstanding quality. Prices: £40–120/m².
Frequently Asked Questions
In 2026, UK tilers typically charge £25–55 per square metre for labour only. Floor tiling averages £25–40/m², while wall tiling is slightly more at £30–45/m² due to the extra difficulty of working vertically and making precise cuts around obstacles. In London and the South East, rates are 20–30% higher. Complex patterns, natural stone, or large-format tiles command premium rates of £40–55/m².
For a standard tiling job, you need approximately 3–5kg of adhesive per m² (depending on tile size and substrate flatness) and 0.5–1.5kg of grout per m² (depending on tile size and grout gap width). A 20kg bag of adhesive covers roughly 4–6m², and a 5kg bag of grout covers about 4–8m². Always buy slightly more than calculated to avoid running short mid-project.
DIY tiling saves 40–50% on the total cost (essentially the entire labour portion). For a standard 10m² bathroom, this could save £300–500. However, DIY tiling requires tools (tile cutter, trowels, spacers — around £50–150 to buy), takes significantly longer than a professional job, and mistakes can be costly. For simple floor tiling or a small splashback, DIY is feasible for a competent person. For bathroom tiling, especially in wet areas, hiring a professional is strongly recommended.
Beyond tiles, adhesive, and grout, common hidden costs include: tile primer (£15–25 for 5 litres), tanking/waterproofing for wet areas (£150–400), tile trim for exposed edges (£5–15 per 2.5m length), silicone sealant (£5–10 per tube), tile backer board if existing walls are unsuitable (£8–15/m²), self-levelling compound for uneven floors (£15–25 per 25kg bag), and skip hire for old tile removal (£150–250).
For budget tiles, B&Q and Wickes consistently offer the lowest prices on basic ceramic and porcelain ranges (from £8–15/m²). For mid-range tiles, Topps Tiles and Tile Giant have the widest selection with regular 50% off promotions. Online retailers like Porcelain Superstore, Walls and Floors, and TileWood offer competitive prices on porcelain and wood-effect tiles. For premium and designer tiles, Fired Earth, Mandarin Stone, and Ca’ Pietra are the main UK suppliers.