How much does wall and floor tiling cost in Nottingham? (2026)

4 min read

Tiling prices vary more than most trades because the job is only partly labour — tiles themselves can cost anything from £8 to £80 per square metre, and that gap alone can double your final bill. This guide gives you realistic Nottingham figures for 2026 so you know what a fair quote looks like before anyone turns up with a clipboard. Nottingham and the wider East Midlands tend to sit slightly below the national average for labour, which helps, but materials are priced nationally so there is no local discount there.

Typical tiling costs in Nottingham (2026)

For a standard bathroom — tiling the walls around a bath or shower enclosure, roughly 10 to 15 square metres — expect to pay £400 to £700 for labour alone using mid-range tiles. Add the tiles, adhesive, grout and trim and a realistic all-in budget is £600 to £1,100. That assumes a straightforward layout with no awkward angles or underfloor heating.

Floor tiling runs a little cheaper on labour because floors are usually flatter and easier to prepare than walls. A typical kitchen floor of 12 square metres with porcelain tiles might come in at £350 to £600 all-in, including a basic quality tile. Larger format tiles (600 x 600 mm or bigger) cost more to lay because they need a flatter substrate and take longer to set correctly — budget an extra £50 to £100 for that.

Full bathroom refits where a tiler is working alongside a plumber tend to attract a small premium for coordinating access. If you are tiling a whole-house job — hallway, kitchen, bathroom, en suite — many tilers will price the package lower per square metre, so it is worth asking. Day rates for tilers in Nottingham currently sit around £180 to £240 including their own tools.

What affects the price of a tiling job

Preparation is the single biggest hidden cost. If the walls or floor are uneven, the tiler has to fix that first — either with a self-levelling compound on floors or by re-boarding or replastering walls. This can add £80 to £200 to a job that looked simple from the photos. Always ask any tradesperson to inspect in person before quoting; a price given over the phone without a site visit is rarely reliable.

Tile size and pattern matter too. Smaller mosaic tiles or brick-bond patterns take significantly longer to lay than a simple grid of large-format tiles. Diagonal or herringbone layouts add 15 to 25 per cent to the labour cost because of the extra cuts and wastage. If you are set on a feature pattern, factor that in when comparing quotes — a lower quote may simply have assumed a straightforward grid layout.

Removing existing tiles is often a separate charge. Stripping a tiled bathroom back to bare walls typically adds £100 to £200 and the cost rises if the old tiles have damaged the plaster behind them. Ask every tiler to itemise strip-out separately so you are comparing like with like. Watch out for anyone who quotes suspiciously low and then adds extras once they have started — get the full scope of work confirmed in writing before they begin.

How to get an accurate quote and avoid overpaying

Get at least three quotes from tilers who have actually seen the job. Prices can vary by 30 to 40 per cent for identical work, and the cheapest is not always poor quality — but a quote that is dramatically below the others usually means something has been missed or will be added on later. Ask each tiler to break the quote down: labour, materials (if they are supplying), preparation, and any extras.

Check that anyone you hire is willing to give you a written contract or at least a detailed written quote before work starts. It does not need to be a solicitor-drafted document — a clear email setting out what is included, the agreed price, start date, and payment terms is perfectly adequate. Be cautious about paying more than a small deposit upfront; a reasonable deposit for materials is fair, but paying the majority before work is complete puts you in a weak position if anything goes wrong.

Posting your tiling job on Rank My Builder puts it in front of verified local tradespeople in Nottingham who carry real reviews from previous customers you can read before anyone visits. Jobs are capped at five quotes, so you will hear from a manageable number of tilers rather than fielding a stream of unsolicited calls — which makes it easier to take your time, compare properly, and pick someone you actually trust.

FAQs

Do I need to supply the tiles myself or can the tiler buy them?

Either arrangement works, but there are trade-offs. Buying your own tiles means you control the budget and can shop around — trade counters like Tile Giant or CTD in Nottingham are open to the public and often cheaper than buying through a tiler. However, if you get the quantities wrong or the tiles arrive damaged, that is your problem to sort. Many tilers have trade accounts and will source tiles for you, sometimes at a small markup. Either way, always order 10 to 15 per cent extra to cover cuts and breakages, and keep a few spare tiles once the job is done in case you need to repair a chip later.

How long does a bathroom tiling job take?

A standard bathroom — walls around a bath and shower, plus the floor — typically takes a competent tiler two to three days. The first day is usually preparation and setting out, the second is laying, and the third (sometimes a half-day return visit) is grouting once the adhesive has set. Larger bathrooms, complex patterns, or significant prep work can stretch this to four or five days. Be wary of anyone who quotes a very fast turnaround on a large job — rushing means corners are cut, and poorly bonded tiles will crack or drop off within a year or two.

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