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Whether you're renovating a bathroom, fitting a new kitchen, or replacing worn floor tiles, choosing the right tiler makes all the difference. Good tiling should look great on day one and still look great years later.

A skilled tiler won't just lay tiles in straight lines. They'll prepare the surface properly, work carefully around corners and fixtures, and create a finish that's durable as well as attractive.

Most tiling projects go smoothly when you hire the right person. But poor workmanship can leave you with uneven tiles, cracked grout, water getting behind walls, or expensive repairs later on.

This guide explains what tilers do, what to look for before hiring one, how quotes typically work, and the practical steps that can help you choose with confidence.

Quick checks before hiring a tiler

If you're comparing tilers, these simple checks can help you avoid problems later on.

Before hiring a tiler, check that they:

• Have experience with the type of tiling project you need

• Can provide a written quote explaining what's included

• Hold public liability insurance

• Can show recent customer reviews or examples of previous work

• Clearly explain the work, timescales and preparation required

• Have experience fitting the type of tiles you've chosen

Spending a little time checking these points before work starts can save a lot of stress once the project is underway.

What does a tiler do?

A tiler prepares surfaces and installs wall and floor tiles in homes and commercial properties.

Depending on your project, they may help with:

• Bathroom wall and floor tiling

• Kitchen floor tiling

• Kitchen splashbacks

• Utility room tiling

• Hallway and entrance flooring

• Conservatory and porch floors

• Feature walls

• Natural stone, ceramic and porcelain tile installation

• Tile repairs and replacements

• Regrouting and replacing damaged sealant

Some tilers specialise in particular materials or techniques, such as large-format porcelain tiles, natural stone, Victorian geometric flooring or intricate mosaic work.

Choosing a tiler with experience in the type of finish you're looking for can make a noticeable difference to the final result.

When should you call a tiler?

Some people contact a tiler as part of a planned renovation, while others simply want to refresh a tired room without replacing their whole kitchen or bathroom.

Whatever the reason, hiring a professional tiler can improve both the appearance and practicality of your home.

Common tiling jobs homeowners hire for

Many homeowners hire tilers for projects such as:

• Tiling bathroom walls and floors

• Installing kitchen splashbacks

• Laying kitchen floor tiles

• Replacing cracked or damaged tiles

• Regrouting existing tiled surfaces

• Tiling hallways and entrances

• Fitting feature walls with decorative tiles

When do you need a specialist tiler?

Some projects benefit from additional experience, particularly if they involve:

• Natural stone tiles

• Large-format porcelain tiles

• Victorian or geometric tile patterns

• Wet rooms

• Underfloor heating systems

• Complex layouts or intricate patterns

Skills and experience to look for in a tiler

Good tiling is all about precision.

Small inaccuracies early on can become much more noticeable as the work progresses, so experience and attention to detail really matter.

Look for a tiler who can demonstrate:

• Experience with projects similar to yours

• Careful preparation of walls and floors before tiling

• Knowledge of different tile materials and adhesives

• High-quality finishing around edges, corners and fixtures

• Clear communication throughout the project

• Qualifications and industry memberships

Many excellent tilers learn their trade through apprenticeships and years of practical experience. Some may also hold recognised qualifications, including:

• Level 1 Certificate in Wall and Floor Tiling

• Level 2 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling

• NVQs in Wall and Floor Tiling

Some tilers may also belong to professional organisations such as The Tile Association (TTA). Membership isn't essential, but it can provide additional reassurance that a tradesperson is committed to recognised industry standards and continuing professional development.

For many homeowners, proven experience, strong customer reviews and examples of previous work are just as important as formal qualifications.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

What should you look for when hiring a tiler?

A beautifully tiled room isn't just about choosing attractive tiles. The quality of the installation is what you'll notice every day once your project is finished.

When meeting a tiler or comparing quotes, it's worth paying attention to:

• How clearly they explain the installation process

• Whether they discuss preparing the surfaces before tiling

• How they plan to deal with awkward corners, trims and edges

• Whether they'll remove old tiles if required

• How organised and responsive they are

• Whether they can show examples of similar projects

Many homeowners say they feel much more confident after seeing photos of completed work or talking through previous jobs with a tiler.

We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.

Questions to ask before hiring a tiler

Before you agree to any work, consider asking a few 'qualifying questions':

• Have you completed similar tiling projects before?

• Can I see examples of your recent work?

• Will you prepare the walls or floor before tiling?

• Will you remove and dispose of the existing tiles if needed?

• What is included in the quote?

• How long do you expect the work to take?

• Will you supply adhesives, grout and trims, or should I buy them?

• Who will carry out the work?

• What happens if extra preparation work is needed once the old tiles are removed?

• Do you offer a guarantee for your workmanship?

These conversations help set expectations early and make it much less likely that you'll run into surprises once work begins.

Every Checkatrade job is backed by our £1,000 guarantee

Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.

Understanding quotes and tiling costs

As a guide, tilers often charge between £20–£50 per square metre or around £300 per day. This is for labour only and will exclude the cost of any materials.

The cost of tiling depends on much more than the size of the room. The type of tile you've chosen, the condition of the existing surfaces and the complexity of the layout can all affect the final price.

These are some of the main factors that can affect your quote:

• The size of the area being tiled

• The type of tiles you've chosen

• Whether walls or floors need preparing first

• The number of cuts required around corners, pipes or fixtures

• Whether existing tiles need removing

• Your location

Getting a few detailed quotes helps you understand what represents good value, rather than simply choosing the lowest price.

How do you compare tiling quotes fairly?

Getting several written quotes makes it much easier to compare like for like. Check whether they include:

• Labour costs

• Adhesives, grout and trims

• Surface preparation

• Removal and disposal of existing tiles

• Any sealing required for natural stone tiles

• Estimated start and completion dates

Some tilers charge by the square metre, while others work on a day rate or provide a fixed price for the whole project.

Neither approach is necessarily better, but it's important to understand exactly what you're paying for before work starts.

Use our cost guides to help budget for your tiling project. Whether you're keen to understand the cost of porcelain tiles, large format tiles, or general floor and wall tiling prices, we're here to help.

Common mistakes when hiring a tiler

Most tiling problems can be avoided by taking a little extra time before the work starts.

Some of the most common mistakes homeowners make include:

• Hiring based on price alone

• Choosing someone without experience fitting your type of tiles

• Not checking customer reviews or previous work

• Agreeing to work without a written quote

• Buying tiles before discussing the project with the tiler

• Assuming the existing walls or floors won't need preparation

A little planning upfront usually leads to a much smoother project and a better-quality finish.

Can you do tiling yourself?

Some homeowners feel confident to tackle small tiling jobs, particularly simple splashbacks or replacing a few damaged tiles.

However, larger projects often need specialist tools, careful planning and plenty of experience.

Professional tilers don't just lay tiles. They also:

• Prepare walls and floors correctly

• Check surfaces are level

• Plan tile layouts to minimise awkward cuts

• Choose the right adhesives and grout

• Achieve consistent spacing and neat finishing

Poorly installed tiles can crack, come loose or allow water to penetrate behind the surface, especially in bathrooms and wet areas.

For larger projects, hiring an experienced tiler is usually the safest and most reliable option.

Hiring a tiler checklist

Checklist: how to hire a good tiler

• Read recent customer reviews

• Check experience with your type of tiles

• Ask to see examples of previous work

• Compare several written quotes

• Confirm what's included before work starts

• Keep all quotes, invoices and paperwork

Find a trusted tiler near you

Finding a tiler used to rely largely on recommendations from friends or neighbours.

Today, it's much easier to compare tradespeople, read verified reviews and see examples of previous work before making a decision.

When you use Checkatrade, you can compare tilers who are:

• Checked - Every Checkatrade member must pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard

• Reviewed - Over 6.2 million reviews have been published on Checkatrade on everything from communication, tidiness, timekeeping, and quality of work

• Guaranteed - When you book through Checkatrade, your job is covered by our guarantee, up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply)

Enter your postcode to compare experienced tilers working locally to you and request quotes with confidence.

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