How to Quote Bathroom Tiling in Australia
A bathroom is the trade's trickiest tile job — small, full of cuts, and legally waterproofed. Here's how to quote bathroom tiling so the demolition, screeding and waterproofing don't eat the margin the tiles left you.
A bathroom looks like a small tiling job until you price it properly. It's demolition, waste removal, screeding a fall to the drain, legally required waterproofing, and a floor full of fiddly cuts around the toilet and vanity — all before the first tile is laid. This guide walks through what a bathroom tiling quote should cover, what tiles and labour cost in 2026, and the hidden costs that quietly eat your margin.
What a bathroom tiling quote covers
The tiles are the easy part. A complete bathroom quote prices the whole sequence, floor to ceiling:
- Demolition and strip-out — old tiles, fixtures and waste, as their own line.
- Substrate prep — levelling and screeding a fall to the drain.
- Waterproofing — to AS 3740, non-negotiable in a wet area.
- Tiles — floor and wall, with size and finish confirmed by the client.
- Adhesive, grout and silicone — flexible adhesive for the wet area.
- Edge trims — aluminium or PVC around exposed edges and reveals.
- Labour — priced for the cuts and the pattern, not a flat rate.
Tile material costs in 2026
Tiles are the biggest material variable, so get the exact type, size and finish from the client before you price. Current supply pricing runs roughly:
| Tile type | Cost / m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ceramic or porcelain | $25–$50/m² | Trade suppliers, everyday finish |
| Stone, mosaic or large-format porcelain | $80–$150/m²+ | Specialty and imported lines cost more |
Add a 10–15% wastage allowance for cuts and breakages — more for herringbone or offset patterns, and more again for small-format tiles like 100x100mm mosaics, which generate a lot of cuts. Confirm current trade prices before you send the quote; tile prices move.
Working out labour
Bathroom labour is priced for complexity, not just area. A small ensuite can take as long per square metre as a big room because of all the cuts:
| Task | Rate / m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Floor tiling (standard) | $50–$70/m² | Depends on tile size and subfloor prep |
| Wall tiling | $60–$90/m² | Cuts around windows, niches and fixtures |
| Small-format or complex patterns | up to $120/m² | Mosaics, subway herringbone — slow work |
As a rough guide on time, a 3m² ensuite floor can take a full day once prep is counted, while a 10m² main bathroom with extensive wall tiling is a three-to-five-day job. Don't forget the non-laying hours — travel, site setup, daily clean-up and any grinding — they're billable time too.
The non-negotiables: demo, screed and waterproofing
The prep work is where bathroom margins are won or lost, because it's easy to underprice and expensive to skip. Quote each of these as its own line:
- Demolition and waste removal — a skip bin for a bathroom strip-out adds around $300–$600, plus the labour to rip it out.
- Screeding a fall to the drain — often half a day's labour plus screed material, and essential for drainage.
- Waterproofing to AS 3740:2010 — legally non-negotiable. Membranes and reinforcing bandages run about $150–$300 for a standard bathroom, plus a full day or two to apply with drying time between coats.
- Flexible adhesive — essential in wet areas, at around $50–$80 per 20kg bag.
Build the drying time into your schedule, not just your price. Waterproofing needs to cure between coats before you can tile over it — try to rush it and you either compromise the membrane or blow out the job's timeline.
Hidden costs that eat your margin
- Bundling demolition into labour. Strip-out and skip hire are real, separate costs. Quote them as their own lines so a big demo doesn't hide inside your tiling rate.
- Underpricing the waterproofing. It's legally required and takes a day or two with drying time. Price the membrane, the labour and the wait — never treat it as part of tiling.
- Missing difficult access. Stairs or a tight apartment corridor add labour for moving materials — often $100–$300. Walk the access before you price it.
- Ignoring subfloor surprises. Rotten timber or a damaged subfloor found during demo can add days. Flag it as a variation and carry a 10–15% contingency.
- Charging small bathrooms by area. A tiny bathroom is full of intricate cuts around the toilet, vanity and recess. It's less efficient per m², so price the complexity, not just the square metres.
Pro tips for a bathroom quote that holds
- Allow 10–15% tile wastage — more for patterns and small-format tiles.
- Get real-time supplier pricing for tiles and waterproofing; both move fast.
- Quote demolition and waste removal as separate lines, never bundled.
- Charge a premium for small-format tiles and complex layouts — they're slow.
- Follow AS 3740:2010 for waterproofing and specify it on the quote.
- Carry a 10–15% contingency in your costings for subfloor surprises.
ServiceYak keeps your demolition, waterproofing, tiling and grout rates in a reusable kit, so you can itemise a full bathroom on site — strip-out to silicone — and send a branded PDF the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom in Australia?
It depends on tile choice and size. Tiles run $25–$50/m² for standard ceramic and $80–$150/m²+ for stone or specialty porcelain, with labour around $50–$90/m², plus demolition, screeding and waterproofing. Most bathrooms are a multi-day job.
Is waterproofing really required in a bathroom?
Yes. Waterproofing wet areas to AS 3740:2010 is a code requirement, not an option. Budget $150–$300 in materials for a standard bathroom, plus a day or two of labour and drying time, and quote it as its own line.
Why do small bathrooms cost so much per square metre?
Because they're full of cuts. Tiling around a toilet, vanity and shower recess is slow, fiddly work, so a small bathroom is often less efficient per m² than a big room. Price the complexity, not just the area.