Labour rates by tile format and pattern
Labour is priced by how long a tile takes to set out, cut and fix, not by the tile's retail price. Large-format and rectified tiles need dead-flat substrates and careful lippage control, which slows the work even though there are fewer joints.
| Tile format and pattern | Wall labour per m2 | Floor labour per m2 |
|---|---|---|
| Small format (up to 200x200), straight lay | £45-£60 | £50-£65 |
| Standard format (300x300 to 300x600), straight lay | £40-£55 | £45-£60 |
| Large format (600x300 and up), straight lay | £50-£70 | £55-£75 |
| Metro or brick bond, any size | £55-£75 | n/a |
| Herringbone or chevron | £75-£100 | £80-£110 |
| Mosaic on mesh | £55-£75 | £60-£80 |
Materials that sit alongside the tile price
Adhesive: for most domestic wet areas a flexible C2TE S1 adhesive is the sensible minimum, running roughly £25-£40 per 20kg bag, with large-format porcelain often needing two bags per m2 once you allow for bed thickness.
Grout: a CG2 waterproof, low-absorption grout for wet areas costs more than standard CG1 but resists staining and cracking far better around a shower.
Tile backer board and waterproofing membrane, movement joint trim, tile spacers, edge trims and silicone all add up and are frequently left off cheaper quotes.
The tile itself varies from around £15/m2 for basic ceramic to £80-£150/m2 or more for large-format porcelain or natural stone, and this is the figure most homeowners focus on even though labour is usually the bigger cost overall.
What pushes the price up
A high proportion of cuts, common in small or awkward rooms, cloakrooms and around fittings, slows the work regardless of tile size.
Uneven or out-of-plumb walls need levelling first, either with adhesive build-up or a rendered backing coat, adding both time and material.
Feature elements such as a niche, a mitred external corner instead of a trim, or a bullnose edge each add fitting time.
Natural stone needs sealing before and after grouting and is generally slower and less forgiving to cut than porcelain.
A worked example
A typical 6-7 m2 family bathroom might have around 20 m2 of wall tiling and 6-7 m2 of floor tiling once you account for tiling to ceiling height around the bath and shower. At standard-format straight lay, that is roughly £900-£1,300 in wall labour, £300-£450 in floor labour, and £600-£1,000 in tiles, adhesive, grout and trims depending on tile choice. Total tiling cost typically lands between £1,800 and £2,750 for that room, before the rest of the refurbishment.
Getting an accurate figure
Any per-square-metre guide is a starting point for budgeting, not a quote. A survey lets us measure the actual wall and floor area, check the substrate and confirm the tile format you want, so the figure we give you is fixed rather than a range.
Your questions answered
Is large-format tile always more expensive to fit?
Usually yes for labour, because the substrate needs to be flatter and lippage control takes more care, even though there are fewer grout lines to fill.
Why do two tilers quote different prices for the same tile?
Usually pattern, cut ratio and substrate condition. A straight lay on a flat wall is quicker than the same tile in herringbone on an uneven one.
Does grout colour affect the price?
No, but grade does. CG2 waterproof grout for wet areas costs a little more than standard CG1 and is worth the difference around a shower.
Can I supply my own tiles to save money?
Yes, many customers do. Just confirm quantities and format with us first, since large-format tiles need extra wastage allowed for cutting.
What is not included in a per-square-metre tiling price?
Waterproofing membrane, backer board, substrate levelling and access equipment for high ceilings are often priced separately, so always check what a quoted rate covers.