How to brief a tiler: what to prepare before they quote
May 2026
Most tiling quotes are imprecise because most homeowners don't know how to give a clear brief. The tiler arrives, takes a few measurements, asks a handful of questions, and then has to guess at the rest of the scope. They build in contingency for everything they couldn't pin down — substrate condition, waterproofing, edge details, access — and the quote comes back higher than it needed to be. A clear, specific brief gets you a more accurate quote, a faster decision, and a working relationship that starts on the right foot.
Measurements and drawings
Measure each room you want tiled — floor length and width, wall heights from floor to ceiling, and from floor to underside of any cabinets where the tile stops short. Note the subfloor type: a concrete slab and a timber-joist floor demand different adhesives, different levelling, and different time on site. The tiler will check this themselves, but flagging it upfront speeds the quote.
Sketch a simple plan — a hand drawing on graph paper is fine. Show the room shape, doorways, fixed items like the bath, vanity, shower base and toilet, and any changes in floor level. Include photographs of the existing floor, the substrate where visible, and any problem areas — cracks, damp patches, uneven sections, old adhesive residue. Five minutes of photos saves an hour of confused conversation.
The tile spec
Give the tiler the exact tile name, size, format (floor, wall, outdoor), finish, and relevant technical specs — PEI rating for floor wear, R-rating for slip resistance, whether the tile is rectified. If you haven't ordered the tile yet, share the intended specification so the tiler can advise on adhesive type, the right grout joint width, and whether the substrate needs additional levelling for that format.
Whether the tile is rectified matters more than most homeowners realise. Rectified tiles are cut to a precise size with sharp 90-degree edges, allowing tight 1–2mm grout joints. They look cleaner, but they demand a flatter substrate and more precise installation than standard pressed tiles with their forgiving 3–5mm joints. The tiler will quote more time for a rectified job — and rightly so.
Mention any patterned tiles. Patterns require more wastage (10–15%), more setting-out time, and a decision about pattern direction relative to the room's main entry point.
The scope of work
State explicitly what you're asking for: tile supply only, tile laying only, or supply plus lay. Spell out whether waterproofing is included — wet area waterproofing should be done by the tiler or a separately licensed waterproofer before any wet-zone tile goes down, and you need to know which one is responsible. The Australian Standard for waterproofing wet areas (AS 3740) is non-negotiable in a bathroom.
Confirm whether grouting is included and who supplies the grout. Confirm whether the job includes removing existing tile. Cover the small items that get forgotten: edge trims (Schluter or similar) at exposed edges, silicone joints in corners and at floor-to-wall transitions, skirting tiles where applicable, and waste disposal.
Site conditions
Parking and access materially affect a quote. A tiler unloading 300kg of porcelain directly into a ground-floor renovation is one job; carrying it up three flights of stairs in an apartment building with a 30-minute loading-zone limit is another. Mention lifts, stair counts, narrow corridors, and parking restrictions.
Note whether the kitchen or bathroom can be taken offline for the duration of the work. Working around a functioning bathroom is slower, and the quote will reflect that.
Getting three quotes
Always get three quotes for any tiling job over $3,000. Present each tiler with exactly the same brief — same tile spec, same scope, same site information — so you're comparing apples to apples. A quote that comes in 30% lower than the other two is almost always missing something: waterproofing, demolition, edge trims, or honest contingency. Ask the lowest quoter what's excluded before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take a tiler to tile a bathroom?
A standard bathroom (8–12m²) typically takes 4–6 working days for laying, plus 1–2 days for waterproofing to cure beforehand. Larger bathrooms, complex layouts and rectified tiles add time.
Do I need to supply the tiles or can the tiler source them?
Either works. Supplying yourself usually saves money and gives you full control over the spec. Tilers can source tiles through their supplier accounts and add a margin — convenient but costs more.
What should a tiling contract include?
Scope of work, tile and grout specification, waterproofing responsibility, start and completion dates, payment schedule, variation procedure, defects liability period. Get it in writing before any deposit.