Tiled floors look fantastic in any home. Available in a range of types, styles and colours, almost any room in your home can be transformed with tiles. But how much do they cost?
In this guide, we’ll go through the cost of having your floors tiled, the factors that affect that cost and how you can choose the right tiles for your home.
The cost of floor tiling in the UK varies depending on the type of tiles, the size of the area and labour rates, but on average, for a standard-sized kitchen (13 m²), the total cost could range from £1,000-£2,500, depending on your chosen tiles and design:
Material/service |
Average cost |
Standard floor tiles |
£50 per m² |
Luxury floor tiles |
£65-£400+ per m² |
Adhesive, grout and other materials |
£10 per m² |
Tiler labour |
£50 per m² |
Tiler hourly/day rate |
£35/£250 |
Tiling a kitchen with standard floor tiles |
£1,300 |
Floor tiles are made from a range of materials, and they all have their advantages. Here are some of the most popular options for floor tiles and their pros and cons:
Made from natural clay, fired at high temperatures and often glazed for a smooth finish, ceramic tiles are versatile and available in a wide range of colours, patterns, and textures. They’re usually the most cost-effective option at an average of £24 per square metre.
Pros:
Cons:
Best used for: Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and living rooms due to their durability and affordability.
A denser and more durable version of ceramic tiles, porcelain is fired at a higher temperature, making it more resistant to wear and moisture. They tend to be more expensive than ceramic tiles, at an average cost of £52 per m².
Pros:
Cons:
Best used for: High-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and even outdoor spaces due to their strength and low water absorption.
A natural stone tile with a highly durable and scratch-resistant surface, granite tiles have a unique speckled appearance and are available in a variety of colours that can look incredibly luxurious. They come with a higher price tag, at an average of £65 per m².
Pros:
Cons:
Best used for: Kitchens, hallways and areas requiring high durability.
Marble is a high-end natural stone, and tiles made from it are known for their luxurious veined patterns and glossy finish. They add elegance to any space, but require more maintenance. Marble tiles cost an average of £120 per m², but you could spend much more.
Pros:
Cons:
Best used for: Living rooms, bathrooms, and feature flooring in upscale homes.
While not a tile in the traditional sense, vinyl tiles are becoming more popular. They’re a synthetic flooring option that mimics the look of stone or wood. Vinyl tiles are soft underfoot and highly water-resistant, making them a practical choice for busy homes. At £17 per m², they are a great budget option. Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are also gaining popularity, and offer more durability than standard vinyl tiles.
Pros:
Cons:
Best used for: Bathrooms, kitchens and areas where comfort and water resistance are needed.
Tile type |
Average cost per m² |
Ceramic |
£24 |
Porcelain |
£52 |
Granite |
£65 |
Marble |
£120 |
Vinyl |
£17 |
There are many factors that can affect the cost of floor tiling, so it’s worth keeping them in mind to help you come up with a budget and stay within it:
The type of tile you choose has a huge impact on the final cost of your floor tiling project. Ceramic tiles are usually the cheapest, with options as low as £14 per m², while luxury options such as marble typically start at £40 per m² but can range up to £400 or more.
How big the tiles are can increase labour rates. Large tiles can take longer to fit due to the increased cutting and alignment work, and the same can go for very small tiles as they’re more difficult to handle.
If you need preparation work done to your floor before your tiles can be laid, this can increase the cost. For example, you may need to have the existing floor covering removed or have the floor screeded before any new tiles can be laid.
Coloured grout is popular right now, but it may cost more for the tiler to buy, so you may have to pay more in material costs. If you want a particular design or pattern in the tiles, this may also increase the labour costs as the tiler will need to spend more time cutting and laying the tiles out in your desired pattern.
If you’re having new flooring laid, it’s the perfect time to install underfloor heating - but that will increase the cost. Electric underfloor heating typically costs £85-£100 per m².
Other options that can increase the cost include skirting tiles and specialist floor treatments.
Tiler rates vary across the UK, with London and the South East typically being higher. Rates may also be higher if you live in an urban or very rural area.
At HaMuch, we use our database of hourly and daily rates from tilers across the UK to estimate how much floor tiling will cost. To get a more accurate price for your local area, take a look at our floor tiling cost table and find your nearest town or city.
Floor tiles can work in most rooms in the house, but there are some that suit tiles more than others. Here are our top recommendations:
Tiling a floor is a big investment, so it’s important to make sure that it’s the right type of flooring for you. To help you decide, here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of tiled floors:
Pros:
Cons:
Weigh up the pros and cons based on the room you’re thinking about having tiled and see whether they seem like a good option for you.
Before you start to get real quotes for your floor tiling project, you might want to have a go at estimating the cost yourself to get an idea of whether you’ve set a realistic budget. Here’s a quick way to get a rough idea of the cost of tiling:
So, for example:
For a 10 m² room using tiles at £30 per m² and labour at £50 per m²:
Total: £950
You can use this estimate to help you decide whether a quote is fair or not. Remember to ask for an itemised quote so you can compare it against your estimates.
DIY tiling can save money, but it requires precision and patience. If you’re not confident, then it’s best to leave it to a professional. Here’s the general process of tiling to help you consider whether you can attempt it:
Start with a small area to practise. If it becomes too difficult, it will save you money in the long term to get a tiler to finish the job than it will to have them correct your work.
Professional tilers can complete 6-8 m² per day for standard tiles, while intricate patterns or larger tiles may take longer.
For a 20 m² room, expect a tiler to take between 2-3 days for standard tiling patterns, or up to 5 days for more complex patterns.
Remember, if you’re doing it yourself, it will take much longer. It’s always worth weighing up your time and the costs of taking annual leave before you decide to tile your floor yourself.
Tiling a floor is a durable and stylish choice, and while the costs may seem high, the long-term benefits in terms of aesthetics, property value and maintenance make it a worthwhile investment.
If you’re ready to get floor tiling quotes, post your job on HaMuch now. We’ll put you in touch with professional tilers in your area who are ready to help.