New tiles can give a bathroom or kitchen a completely different feel. But the best results usually come from decisions made before demolition starts. When comparing tiling services, homeowners should look beyond colour, format and price. The condition of the existing tiles, the room’s layout, and the work included in the quote can all affect the finished result, budget, and disruption at home.
Use this checklist to define the job clearly before ordering tiles or booking a start date.
Tiling services: start by defining the real scope
First, be clear about why you are retiling. Is the goal to update an older splashback or bathroom floor? Or are there loose tiles, recurring cracks, staining, mould, soft wall areas or signs of moisture that need closer attention?
A cosmetic update may involve removing and replacing tiles on a sound surface. A broader project may also require repairs to walls or floors, changes to fixtures, drainage work, new cabinetry or waterproofing. These are very different scopes, and treating one as the other can lead to surprises once the old tiles come off.
Write down what you want to keep, replace or move. Include:
- the tiled areas and any feature walls or splashbacks
- fixtures, tapware, appliances or cabinetry that may affect access
- changes to layout, such as a larger shower or a new cooktop
- visible damage, previous repairs and areas that feel hollow underfoot
- Your preferred tile style, size and finish.
If you are weighing up the overall condition of a bathroom, our guide to bathroom renovations can help you distinguish between a straightforward tiling update and a more involved renovation.
Check the surfaces before choosing a final tile
Tiles are only as reliable as the surface beneath them. Existing cracks, movement, loose tiles, uneven floors, and moisture marks do not automatically point to a single cause, but they should be assessed before a retiling scope is confirmed. Covering a problem without addressing the substrate can compromise the new finish.
Ask your tiler what preparation may be needed after removal. Depending on the condition uncovered, this may include repairing damaged sheeting, correcting localised unevenness, removing failed adhesive or preparing a suitable base for the new tile system. Concealed issues are one reason a site inspection is more useful than a quote based on photos alone.
Bathroom wet areas need early discussion
In a bathroom, discuss the wet areas, shower design, floor falls, and waterproofing requirements for the specific work. Requirements can vary with the scope and building type, so relevant work should be planned with appropriately qualified trades and current requirements in mind. If plumbing or electrical changes are proposed, confirm who will complete them and how those trades fit into the sequence.
Waterproofing should never be treated as an optional extra where it is required. Ask what work is included, what areas are covered and what documentation will be provided at completion.
Plan for how the room will be used
Bathroom and kitchen tiling have different practical demands. A kitchen splashback needs neat cuts around power points, cabinetry and rangehoods, while a tiled kitchen floor needs to work around appliances, kickboards and traffic paths. In bathrooms, tile size and finish can influence the number of cuts, the look of the floor and suitability for particular areas.
Choose materials for the location, not just the showroom display. Discuss:
- floor or wall use, and whether a surface is appropriate for that application
- cleaning needs around cooking areas, showers and high-use floors
- slip considerations for wet floor areas
- tile size, pattern and layout, especially in smaller rooms
- edge trims, transitions to other flooring and grout colour
- the finish around doors, cabinetry, benchtops and fixtures.
Order enough tiles from the same batch, with a sensible allowance for cuts and future repairs. Your tiler can advise on quantities once the layout and tile dimensions are known. For an overview of local service options, see Dr Tiles’ tiling services.
Compare quotes properly and prepare for handover
A lower total is not always a like-for-like comparison. Request a written scope that clearly outlines what is included and what may be excluded. This protects both you and the contractor from assumptions about removal, preparation or finishing details.
A clear quote should address:
- tile removal, waste disposal and protection of nearby areas
- surface preparation, levelling or repairs where identified
- waterproofing where applicable
- tile supply or whether you are supplying the tiles
- adhesives, grout, trims, sealants and labour
- access limitations, parking, apartment building rules or restricted work hours
- Items that cannot be confirmed until existing tiles are removed.
Also plan for dust, noise and temporary loss of access to the room. Clear benchtops, remove personal items and confirm where materials can be stored. If you live in an apartment, check the building management's requirements before work begins.
Before final payment, inspect the completed work in good light. Check the tile layout, cuts, alignment, grout finish, trims, sealant lines and clean-up. Ask for care advice, relevant warranty information and any records supplied for the completed scope. Sharing accurate room details, access information, and your goals early gives your tiler the best chance to prepare a practical, transparent plan.
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