Tilers in Sydney: where to start
Tilers in Sydney lay floor and wall tiles in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, living areas and outdoors, and repair cracked or drummy tiles and tired grout. The finish depends on the surface underneath, which needs to be sound, flat and, in wet areas, properly waterproofed before the first tile goes down. Our tiling cost per m² guide shows what Sydney tilers charge, and our guide to tiling over existing tiles explains when that works. Describe the area, the tile and what is there now, and vetted tilers from our crew can quote.
A tiling job is only as good as what sits under it. Decide whether you are tiling over a sound, flat surface, replacing a few cracked tiles or retiling a room after strip-out. In bathrooms, laundries, balconies and outdoor areas the waterproofing membrane matters more than the tile, and tiling over failed waterproofing is a common reason leaks come back. In NSW, waterproofing is licensed work, so confirm who installs the membrane and how it is documented. Large-format tiles need flatter substrates and more preparation, and outdoor tiles need slip resistance and falls that carry water away from the house.
Signs it’s time to call a pro
- Cracked, chipped or loose tiles
- Tiles that sound hollow (drummy) when tapped
- Crumbling, missing or stained grout lines
- Mould or water stains along the base of a shower or wall
- Water pooling on a tiled balcony or outdoor area instead of draining
What’s usually included
Every property is different, but a good quote for tilers should spell out items like these.
- Floor and wall tiling in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and living areas
- Outdoor, balcony and pool-surround tiling with suitable slip resistance and falls
- Regrouting, resealing and replacement of cracked or drummy tiles
- Large-format tiles, with substrate preparation and levelling
- Coordination with waterproofing, drainage and other trades
How much does it cost?
What's The Damage puts Sydney tiling labour at about $46–$105 per square metre for standard floor tiles (typically around $69), $46–$115 for walls, $69–$125 for large-format tiles and $57–$125 for outdoor tiling, with tilers charging about $57–$115 an hour. Airtasker puts floor tiling at about $35–$65 per square metre.
Sydney-specific labour-only figures (verified October 2026, incl. GST) and Airtasker's national tiling page (checked October 2026). Tiles are extra. Removing old tiles (about $23–$63 per square metre in the Sydney guide), levelling, waterproofing, patterns and lots of small cuts all add to the price.
Tilers usually quote per square metre, by the day or as a fixed price for a room. Tile size and type, wall or floor, pattern, cuts around fixtures, and the amount of removal, levelling and preparation change the price more than area alone. Ask whether the quote covers tile supply or labour only, removal of old tiles, waterproofing, trims, sealing and disposal. Small repairs may carry a minimum charge, and finding tiles that match an older floor can be the hardest part.
Indicative ranges only, compiled October 2026 from What's the Damage – Tiling cost Sydney (verified Oct 2026), Airtasker – Tiling services (checked Oct 2026). Your quote depends on your property and scope.
How long it takes: A small repair or splashback can often be done in a day, while a full bathroom usually takes several days of tiling plus curing time for waterproofing and grout.
Licences, insurance and approvals
In NSW, tiling work worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials (incl. GST) needs a contractor licence in the wall and floor tiling class, which includes waterproofing wet areas to get them ready for tiling, and waterproofing is also its own licence class, so ask who will install the membrane and to which standard (AS 3740 for domestic wet areas), and check the licence on the NSW Government licence check.
Every member of our crew has their NSW licence verified and insurance sighted before joining, and agrees to quote in writing with their licence number shown. Before you sign, confirm the licence number on the quote using the NSW Government licence check, and make sure residential work over $5,000 (including GST) has a written contract.
Have these details ready
A clear brief gets you faster, more accurate quotes.
- Room or area, with approximate square metres of floor and wall
- Tile size and type, if already chosen
- Whether old tiles are coming up and what is underneath
- Wet area, outdoor or pool surround, and any leak history
Tilers: common questions
Can new tiles go over old tiles?
Sometimes, if the existing tiles are firmly bonded, flat and sound, and the extra height works at doors, drains and cabinetry. It is not a good idea over drummy or cracked tiles, or in a wet area where the waterproofing is in doubt. Ask the tiler to check the existing surface and explain the system they will use.
What are drummy tiles and do they matter?
Drummy tiles sound hollow when tapped, because the adhesive underneath is no longer fully bonded. A few on a floor may be a small repair, but widespread drumminess can lead to cracked tiles and, in wet areas, water getting in. A tiler can lift and relay affected tiles, and should look for the cause, such as movement or poor adhesive coverage.
How much does a tiler charge per square metre in Sydney?
What's The Damage's October 2026 Sydney guide puts standard floor tiling labour at about $46–$105 per square metre, typically around $69, and wall tiling at about $46–$115. Large-format, mosaic and natural stone tiles cost more to lay. Tiles are usually extra, and removing old tiles, levelling and waterproofing add to the total. Ask whether each quote is labour only or supply and lay. Our tiling cost per m² guide has the full breakdown.
Do tilers charge by the hour or per square metre?
Most tilers quote per square metre or a fixed price for a room, while small repairs are often charged by the hour or the day. What's The Damage lists Sydney tilers at about $57–$115 an hour and notes that small jobs are often charged a half-day minimum. Group small repairs together, and keep spare tiles from the original job if you have them.
How long does it take to tile a bathroom?
The tiling itself often takes a few days for a typical bathroom, but the whole job takes longer. Strip-out, plumbing and electrical work happen first, the waterproofing membrane needs time to cure before tiling, and grout and sealers need drying time before the room is used. Ask for a written programme that shows each trade, curing times and when the shower can be used again.
Does a tiler need a licence in NSW?
Yes, for residential work worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. The wall and floor tiling licence class covers laying tiles and waterproofing wet areas to get them ready for tiling, and waterproofing is also a separate licence class. Check the licence number and class on the NSW Government licence check, and get a written contract for any job over $5,000.
What should I ask a tiler before hiring?
Ask how they will check and prepare the surface, who does the waterproofing and to which standard, and whether trims, sealing, removal and disposal are included. For outdoor and pool areas, ask about slip resistance and falls to drains. For large-format tiles, ask about levelling and uneven edges. Ask for their licence number, insurance and a written quote that separates labour and tiles.
Can you tile over existing tiles?
Sometimes, in dry areas. The old tiles must be firm, not drummy, and properly prepared. ARDEX's X56 adhesive data sheet (March 2026), for example, allows tiling over existing ceramic tiles in internal dry areas only, after the surface is roughened, at least 80% of the glaze is removed and a primer is applied. In showers, the waterproofing must meet AS 3740, so old tiles usually come off. Read our tile over tiles guide.