For UK tilers

Tiler quote template (UK)

A clear layout for a tiling quote that sets out scope, per square metre pricing, substrate preparation, terms and VAT properly, so the customer knows what is included before the first tile goes on the wall.

Last updated 15 July 2026 · 6 min read

What a tiler quote should include

Tiling quotes go wrong in one predictable place: what is under the tiles. A wall that is not flat, a floor that needs levelling, a wet area that needs tanking, or a pile of tiles the customer bought that will run short once you allow for cuts. A good tiling quote prices the area firmly per square metre and handles the preparation honestly, so the customer is not surprised and you are not out of pocket.

Your business. Trading name, address, contact and your VAT number if registered.
The customer and the site. Their name and the property address.
A specific scope and the area. The rooms or surfaces, the area in square metres, and the finish standard.
Substrate preparation. Levelling floors, priming, and fitting tile backer board where needed. This is where margin is won or lost, so price it as its own line.
Waterproofing and tanking. In showers and wet rooms, tanking to the wet area protects the build and is not optional. Name it and price it.
Tile type and format. Ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, mosaic or large format all change the labour. Natural stone, mosaic and large format take longer, so the rate reflects that.
Adhesive and grout. The right adhesive for the substrate and tile, the grout colour, plus trims and movement joints where the job needs them.
Who supplies the tiles. State plainly whether you or the customer supplies the tiles, and allow enough for cuts and wastage.
VAT. If registered, subtotal, 20% VAT and total. If not, say so.
Timeline, payment terms and exclusions. Days on site, when you expect payment, and anything left out such as removing old tiles or making good.
Validity period. "Valid for 30 days" so a tile and adhesive price does not follow you around after supplier costs move.

A tiler quote example

The figures below are illustrative and shown only to demonstrate the layout. They are not market rates. Price every job from your own supplier prices, your day rate and your measured area.

Section	Detail	Amount (example only)
Substrate preparation and priming	Level floor, prime surfaces and fit tile backer board where needed	£X
Tanking to wet areas	Apply waterproof tanking to shower and wet room zones	£X
Tiling, supply and fix per m2	Set out and fix tiles to walls and floor, rate per square metre	£X
Grouting and finishing	Grout, seal, fit trims and silicone the perimeter and movement joints	£X
Materials	Adhesive, grout, trims and sundries	£X
Subtotal		£X
VAT (20%, if registered)		£X
Total		£X

Scope note: "Prepare and prime substrate, tank the wet area, supply and fix porcelain wall and floor tiles to the measured area, grout, seal and finish with trims and movement joints. Tiles supplied by the tiler. Excludes removal of existing tiles and making good." Terms note: "Price assumes walls and floors are sound and within tolerance. Any levelling, hidden defect or extra preparation found on strip back will be quoted and agreed in writing before proceeding. Valid for 30 days."

The mistakes that cost tilers money on a quote

Not pricing substrate preparation. Levelling a floor, priming and boarding out takes real time. Fold it into the metre rate and you give it away. Price it as its own line.
Assuming walls and floors are flat and square. Old rooms rarely are. If the surface needs work before a tile can go on, say so and price it, or add a clear allowance.
Leaving supplied-by-whom ambiguous. If the customer buys the tiles, state that you are not liable for shortfall, breakages or lead times, and that you need enough for cuts.
Underestimating wastage and cuts. Large format and patterned or diagonal layouts waste more. Allow for it in the tile quantity and the labour, and make the wastage assumption visible.
Leaving tanking out of a wet room. A shower or wet room without tanking is a callback waiting to happen. Never drop it to look cheaper.
Confusing a quote with an estimate. A quote is a fixed price. An estimate can move. Label the document as one, never both. See quote vs estimate.

Should a tiler send a quote or an estimate?

For a measured job where the substrate is known and sound, a fresh plastered wall or a screeded floor you can see, quote a fixed price per square metre with the preparation and tanking as separate lines. Where old tiles hide the condition of the wall or floor, an estimate first is the honest approach, then a firm quote once you have stripped back and seen what you are tiling onto. Put the scope, the area and the variations in writing either way. Our guide to quote vs estimate for UK trades explains when each is fairer.

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This page is practical quoting guidance, not legal advice. For a serious dispute or a large sum, take proper advice.

Tiler quote FAQ

What should a tiler quote include?

Your business details, the customer and site, a specific scope, the area in square metres, substrate preparation, the tile type, whether tiles are supplied by you or the customer, a breakdown of labour and materials, VAT, a timeline, payment terms, exclusions and a validity period.

How do you price a tiling job per square metre?

Measure the area in square metres, then set a fix rate per square metre for the tile type and format. Large format, natural stone and patterns take longer, so they carry a higher rate. Price substrate preparation and tanking as separate lines, not inside the metre rate.

Should a tiler quote or estimate a job?

For a measured job where the substrate is known and sound, quote a fixed price. Where old tiles hide the wall or floor condition, give an estimate first, then a firm quote once you have stripped back and seen what you are tiling onto.

Who supplies the tiles, the tiler or the customer?

Either works, but the quote must say which. If the customer supplies the tiles, state that you are not responsible for shortfall, breakages or lead times, and that you will need enough for cuts and wastage.