Tile estimate so you don’t run short
Order too little tile and the job stalls. Order too much and you carry the cost. Work out the 14 m² floor with waste, adhesive, grout and leveling built in.
- Porcelain tiles with waste, adhesive, grout and floor prep
- Area rates for m² or ft² worked out for you
- Print ready PDF and editable Word file, free
What to include in a tiling quote
A tile estimate has to get two numbers right: how much tile to order and how long it takes to lay. This template lists tiles with waste, adhesive, grout and leveling compound, then floor prep and laying per m² or ft², with skirting or trims as optional lines. Use it as a tiling quote in the browser, or download the Word, Excel and PDF files.
A tiling quote should name the tile, the area, the layout and the substrate, because those four things set both the material order and the labor. Separate preparation from laying, list trims and movement joints, and say who supplies the tile.
- Tile and sizeRange, material and size, such as 600 x 600 porcelain or 3 x 12 in ceramic subway. Large format and mosaic both take longer per m² than mid sizes.
- Area and wasteLaid area measured room by room, plus a waste allowance: around 10% for a straight lay, more for diagonal or herringbone.
- LayoutStraight, offset, diagonal or herringbone, and where the pattern starts. Long rectangular tiles need a reduced offset to keep edges flush.
- Substrate and prepConcrete, timber, cement board or existing tiles, plus grinding, priming and self-leveling compound.
- Adhesive and groutAdhesive type and trowel size, grout color and type, and epoxy grout if specified.
- Trims and skirtingEdge trims, stair nosings, skirting tiles and transitions by the linear meter or foot.
- Movement joints and sealingPerimeter and field movement joints with flexible sealant, and sealing for natural stone or unglazed tiles.
- Removal of old tilesLifting existing tiles and adhesive, which can take longer than laying the new ones.
Sample tile estimate with example prices
Gridline Tiling’s sample for Ahmed Saleh covers 14 m² of laundry and entry floor in 600 x 600 porcelain. Materials are 15 m² of tile at $48, allowing for cuts, and a set of adhesive, leveling compound and grout. Labor splits floor prep and leveling at $18 per m² from laying at $68 per m². Skirting tiles along 16 m are optional. The subtotal is $2,184 before tax with a 20% deposit, and every price is an example.
| Item | Group | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain tiles | Materials | 15 m² | $48.00 | $720.00 |
| Adhesive, levelling and grout | Materials | 1 set | $260.00 | $260.00 |
| Floor prep and levelling | Labor | 14 m² | $18.00 | $252.00 |
| Lay tiles | Labor | 14 m² | $68.00 | $952.00 |
| Skirting tiles | Optional extras (optional) | 16 m | $24.00 | ($384.00) |
| Subtotal before tax | $2,184.00 | |||
| Optional extras, not in the total | $384.00 | |||
5 lines are filled in, from porcelain tiles to skirting tiles. Put in your own tiling rates, then download the PDF.
How to price a tiling job
Tilers usually price laying per m² or ft², with preparation, trims and extras as separate lines. Tile is either supplied by the customer or listed with waste. Small jobs need a minimum charge, because mixing adhesive, setting up the cutter and cleaning take as long for 2 m² as for 10 m².
- Per m² or ft² laidA laying rate by tile size and pattern. The default for floors and walls.
- Prep as a separate rateGrinding, priming and leveling per m², so a bad floor is paid for instead of absorbed into the laying rate.
- Linear rates for trimsSkirting, nosings, edge trims and silicone joints per meter or foot.
- Minimum charge or day rateFor small repairs, backsplashes and replacing a few cracked tiles, where area pricing does not cover setup.
If you supply the tile, add a margin for ordering, collection and breakage risk, and use the markup calculator to see what that markup leaves as margin. The job pricing guide helps set the laying rate itself.
Worked example: tiling a 12 x 15 ft kitchen floor
Here is the material order and labor for a kitchen floor in 24 x 24 in porcelain, measured in feet, with example rates.
- Laid area12 x 15 = 180 ft². Take off the island footprint of 3 x 6 = 18 ft², leaving 162 ft² to tile.
- WasteAdd 10% for a straight lay: 162 x 1.1 = 178.2 ft².
- BoxesEach 24 x 24 in tile is 4 ft² and a box holds 3 tiles, so 12 ft² per box. 178.2 / 12 = 14.85, so order 15 boxes (180 ft²). At $4.50 per ft² that is $810.
- LaborLaying at $7.00 per ft²: 162 x $7.00 = $1,134.
- Setting materials and totalThinset, grout and leveling clips come to $160. Total $810 + $1,134 + $160 = $2,104 before tax.
A diagonal or herringbone layout pushes waste toward 15% and slows laying. A floor that is out of flat by more than the tile allows needs self-leveling compound, priced as prep.
Inclusions and exclusions on a tile quotation
Usually included
- Sweeping and priming the substrate
- Adhesive and grout in the chosen color
- Cutting around fixtures and door frames
- Perimeter movement joints
- Cleaning off grout haze
Excluded unless priced
- Removing old tiles or floor coverings
- Self-leveling beyond the stated depth
- Waterproofing in wet areas
- Removing and refitting toilets or appliances
- Sealing natural stone
Tile estimate mistakes
- Pricing a diagonal layout with straight lay waste and running out of tile on the last row.
- Not checking the floor for flatness before quoting large format tile.
- Leaving out trims and nosings, then charging for them as surprises.
- Assuming the customer’s tile is all one batch, then finding shade differences halfway through.
- Forgetting door clearance when the tile build up raises the finished floor.
- No minimum charge on small jobs, so a two hour backsplash eats a full day.
Tile estimate questions
How do you estimate tile for a floor?
Measure each area, multiply length by width, take off fixed fixtures such as an island, and add waste: about 10% for straight layouts and more for diagonal or patterned work. Divide by the coverage per box and round up to whole boxes. The worked example above shows each step with real numbers.
How do tilers price a tiling quote?
A typical tiling quote charges a laying rate per m² or ft², with preparation, trims, removal of old tiles and waterproofing as separate lines. Small jobs carry a minimum charge to cover setup. For overhead and profit, see how to price a job, and for whole rooms see the bathroom renovation quote.
How much extra tile should I order?
Around 10% over the laid area for a straight lay on a simple floor, and closer to 15% for diagonal, herringbone or rooms with many corners. Leave a few spare tiles with the customer for future repairs, since the same batch may not be available later.
Does a tile quotation include waterproofing?
Not unless it says so. In showers and wet areas, waterproofing is often a separate trade or a separate line. If you do it, list the membrane and the areas covered. The waterproofing quotation template covers that work in detail.
How long is a tile estimate valid?
Thirty days suits labor rates, but supplier tile prices can change sooner. If the customer is buying the tile, the validity mainly covers your labor. If you supply it, use a shorter date or confirm the tile price at the time of order. More layouts are in the construction quote templates.
Should the customer supply the tiles?
Either works. Customer supplied tile removes your material risk but adds delay risk, so state that work starts once all tile is on site and checked. Supplying it yourself lets you control the batch and quantity and earn a margin on ordering and handling.
