The short answer
Tiling labour in the UK typically costs £25–£60 per m² for walls and £30–£80 per m² for floors, with most tilers working to a day rate of roughly £180–£280. Including adhesive and grout — but not the tiles — all-in labour often comes to around £80–£130 per m². The tiles themselves are a separate cost, usually £15–£120 per m² depending on quality, from budget ceramic to natural stone and large-format porcelain. The main things that move the price are the size and layout of the tiles, how much preparation the surface needs, and where you are — London and the South East commonly run higher than the North and Scotland.
Tiling is usually priced per square metre or by the day, with the tiles costed separately. The figures below are typical UK labour ranges for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK tiling costs
- Wall tiling (labour)£25–£60 / m²
- Floor tiling (labour)£30–£80 / m²
- Tiler day rate~£180–£280
- Tiles (materials)£15–£120 / m²
- All-in labour~£80–£130 / m²
What drives the price
- Wall vs floor: floor tiling usually costs a little more per m² than walls, as floors take heavier tiles and more levelling.
- Tile size & layout: small mosaics and large-format tiles both take longer than standard tiles, and patterns like herringbone add labour.
- Surface preparation: uneven walls or floors, removing old tiles, or levelling and priming all add time and cost.
- Location: London and the South East commonly sit above these ranges; the North East, Scotland and parts of Wales often below.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wall tiling (labour) | £25–£60 / m² | supply & fix labour only |
| Floor tiling (labour) | £30–£80 / m² | heavier tiles, more levelling |
| Tiler day rate | ~£180–£280 | common for smaller jobs |
| Tiles (materials) | £15–£120 / m² | ceramic to natural stone |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote tiling cost guides.
Day rate vs price per m²
Tilers price small jobs by the day and larger ones per square metre. A typical day rate is around £180–£280, and a tiler usually fits roughly 5–8 m² of wall tiles or 4–6 m² of floor tiles per day for careful work, more for plain layouts and large tiles. On a small job the day rate can work out higher per m² than a big run, because setting out, cutting and finishing take a fixed amount of time whatever the area. Quotes also usually exclude the tiles, adhesive grade and any prep, so it pays to confirm exactly what is included.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does tiling cost per m² in the UK?
Typical labour is around £25–£60 per m² for walls and £30–£80 per m² for floors. Including adhesive and grout but not the tiles, all-in labour often comes to roughly £80–£130 per m². The tiles themselves are a separate £15–£120 per m² depending on quality.
What is a typical tiler day rate?
Most tilers charge roughly £180–£280 a day for smaller jobs, and usually fit around 5–8 m² of wall tiles or 4–6 m² of floor tiles per day for careful work.
Why is the tiling price range so wide?
Because rooms and tiles differ. Tile size and layout, how much preparation the surface needs, and your location all move the figure. A measured quote gives the accurate number for your room.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific room. They are guidance, not a quotation.