Quote templates for tiling
Professional quotes for wall and floor tiling in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces in Ireland.
What to include in a tiling quote
Tiling is one of the most price-variable jobs depending purely on what the client picks. A tile at €10/m² and a tile at €90/m² go on the wall the same way, but the total job cost can triple. Splitting material cost from labour cost is essential for that reason alone.
In a tiling quote, include: surface preparation (levelling compound, primer), adhesive bed (tile adhesive, screed if needed), the tile itself (price per m², whether you or the client is supplying it), grout, trims and edge profiles, and fitting labour.
If the client is supplying the tile, state clearly that the quote covers labour and fitting materials only, and add a note that you're not responsible for batch variation or a shortfall in the quantity they bought. If you're supplying, itemise the tile with a reference and price, and build in a waste allowance (typically 10-15% for a straight lay, up to 20% for diagonal or pattern layouts).
State the tile size and the laying pattern on the quote. A diagonal or herringbone layout adds roughly 20% to both waste and labour time, and the client should see that reflected.
Example quote for kitchen splashback tiling
Typical job: kitchen splashback between the worktop and wall units, 12 m².
- Surface preparation and cleaning, 12 m² at €5/m²
- Bonding primer on painted surface, 12 m² at €2.50/m²
- White metro tile 10x20 (supplied by tiler), 13.2 m² at €24/m² (includes 10% waste)
- White C2 flexible tile adhesive, 12 m² at €4.50/m²
- Grey epoxy grout, 12 m² at €5/m²
- Aluminium trim profiles (edges), 6 lm at €4.50/lm
- Fitting labour, 12 m² at €28/m²
Materials subtotal: €499.60 | Labour: €336 | Total excl. VAT: €835.60
A job this size usually takes 2 days with one tiler. The second day is mostly for grouting once the adhesive has cured overnight.
How to price tiling per square metre
Labour rates for tiling vary with complexity in the Irish market:
- Simple straight lay (standard format): €22 to €28/m²
- Diagonal or herringbone lay: €28 to €36/m² (plus 20% extra on material m²)
- Large format tiles (600x600 and up): €30 to €42/m² (harder to handle and level)
- Mosaic and small-format tiles: €40 to €65/m² (significantly more labour time)
- Work at height or awkward access: add 15-20%
Calculate the m² for labour off the net wall or floor area, deducting doors and window openings. But material should be ordered off the gross area plus a waste allowance, since cuts around openings are unavoidable.
For outdoor work (patios, decks, pool surrounds), labour runs 20-30% higher because of the waterproofing prep required first and the frost-resistant, R11-rated materials needed to handle Irish weather.
Tips for winning more tiling jobs
Keep a portfolio of patterns and layouts on your phone. Clients who don't know what they want (most of them) will trust a tiler who shows real finished examples rather than describing options verbally.
Offer material advice, not just a price. A tiler who says "for this patio I'd recommend an R11-rated porcelain because of the frost and the rain we get" is adding real value. The client feels they're working with a specialist, not just someone laying tiles.
For full bathrooms and kitchens, an integrated quote covering tiling, flooring, and painting is far more convenient for the client than three separate quotes from three tradespeople. If you can offer this, present it as one combined proposal and highlight the benefit of one person responsible for the whole job.
Frequently asked questions
The client bought their own tiles. How do I quote for labour only?
Quote labour and fitting materials only (adhesive, grout, trims). Add a note: "Tiles supplied by client. Tiler is not responsible for batch variation or a shortfall in the quantity supplied." This protects you if the client bought fewer tiles than the job needs.
How do I quote when the client hasn't picked a tile yet?
Write the quote with two lines: labour and fitting materials at a fixed price, and a "tile supply" line marked "to be confirmed on client's selection." The client can approve the fixed part straight away and understands the material cost is still to come. It saves you re-quoting the whole job once they've picked.
How do I handle a surface in poor condition that adds to the prep work?
Include a surface preparation line with an estimated cost and a note: "Preparation cost may vary depending on the condition of the surface once old tiles or covering are removed. Any additional work will be agreed with you before proceeding." This protects you from absorbing levelling costs you couldn't see before the strip-out.