Cost to Tile a Floor: Tile, Labour and Prep Per m2
What a tiled floor costs per square metre in Australia, split into tile, adhesive, labour and floor prep, so you can see where the money goes.
Tiling a 25 m2 floor in porcelain or ceramic typically costs $4,500 installed, including GST. Across all flooring types, our mid-range tier runs $3,500 – $5,850, and the final figure depends mostly on what is under the tile, not the tile itself.
This article breaks that total into its four parts: tile, adhesive and grout, labour, and floor prep. For the full material-by-material overview, see our New flooring guide.
Where the money goes
We build tiled-floor prices from labour hours × local rates, plus materials, then check them against market prices and real quotes. For a porcelain or ceramic floor, the split looks like this:
- Tile: the most visible line, but often not the biggest. Basic ceramic is cheap. Large-format porcelain costs noticeably more per m2.
- Adhesive, grout and trims: a small but steady cost. Large tiles need more adhesive, and edge trims and sealers add up.
- Labour: usually the largest share. Tiling is slow, skilled work: setting out, cutting, levelling and grouting.
- Floor prep: the hidden line. It can be small on a sound slab and large on an old or uneven floor.
Per square metre, divide the typical figure above by the floor size. The per-m2 rate tends to fall on bigger rooms, because set-up and travel are spread across more floor. Small rooms such as laundries and ensuites cost more per m2.
Why labour dominates
Tile is harder to lay than most floor types. The tiler has to get the surface flat, keep lines straight, cut around doors and fixtures, and allow cure time before grouting. Large-format tiles are heavier, need a flatter base and take longer to place, so labour per m2 rises even if the tile price does not.
Diagonal or herringbone patterns add cutting and waste. Expect to buy extra tile to cover cuts and breakages, and ask your tiler what allowance they have included.
The prep costs people miss
Prep is where tile quotes differ most. Ask whether each of these is included:
- Removing the old floor. Lifting old tile, vinyl or carpet and disposing of it is a separate task from laying the new one.
- Levelling. Tile needs a flat base. Self-levelling compound is used to fix dips and slopes.
- Waterproofing. Wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries need waterproofing under the tile. This is regulated work in most states, so use a licensed waterproofer or a tiler who is licensed to do it.
- Cracks and movement. Cracked slabs or bouncy timber floors may need repair or an underlay before tiling.
- Door and skirting changes. Doors may need trimming because the new floor sits higher.
A sound, level slab with the old floor already gone is the cheapest case. A floor that needs lifting, levelling and waterproofing can add a large share to the bill.
Tile versus other floors
If your budget is tight, it helps to see where tile sits against the alternatives. Our material table shows typical cost, usual range and lifespan for each option:
| Material | Typical | Usual range | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microcement / polished concrete | $3,300 | $2,550 – $4,300 | 20-30 years |
| Laminate | $3,400 | $2,650 – $4,450 | 15-25 years |
| Carpet with underlay | $3,550 | $2,750 – $4,600 | 8-15 years |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP/LVT) | $3,600 | $2,800 – $4,700 | 15-25 years |
| Porcelain / ceramic tile | $4,500 | $3,500 – $5,850 | 40+ years |
| Engineered wood | $4,750 | $3,700 – $6,200 | 25-40 years |
| Solid oak | $6,600 | $5,150 – $8,600 | 50+ years |
Tile tends to cost more to install than laminate or vinyl plank, but it lasts a long time and handles water well. For comparison, luxury vinyl plank typically comes in at $3,600 for the same floor, and laminate at $3,400. If you are weighing tile against timber, engineered wood is $4,750.
Tiling a bathroom or kitchen
Tiling inside a wider renovation changes the maths. In a bathroom, the floor is usually priced as part of the job, with waterproofing and falls to the drain included. See our Bathroom renovation guide for whole-room costs, where tiled floors and walls make up a good part of the budget. In a kitchen, tiles go under cabinets only if you are not planning to change the layout later, so check the plan first. Our Kitchen renovation guide covers that side.
How to keep the cost down
- Choose a standard tile size. Very large or very small tiles slow the job.
- Keep the pattern simple. Straight lay costs less than diagonal or herringbone.
- Clear the room yourself. Moving furniture and lifting old carpet can save time, if your tiler agrees.
- Get the prep scoped before the tile. A tiler who inspects the floor first will give a firmer price.
- Compare like with like. Check that each quote lists tile allowance, prep, waterproofing, removal and GST.
Is my quote fair?
Quotes to households include 10% GST, and so do our figures. If a quote is well outside the range above, check which of the prep items are included before deciding it is too high or too low. Our "is my quote fair" tool lets you compare a quote against our live figures for your area.
Treat our figures as a guide, not a fixed price. A site visit will always beat a desktop estimate, so get at least three written quotes that itemise tile, labour and prep separately.