Tiling for less at home

Shopping for tiles? A smart renovator could save thousands of dollars on their tiling project by following these cost-saving tips.

Tiling is among the most costly elements of bathroom remodeling. It's not just the expense of the tiles, but the labor is also quite costly.

Finding a good price on your tile can be an important difference in a remodel that is within budget or a complete explosion. How do you determine what is a fair price and what is a rip-off?

Tilers charge different rates per hour, however as a an estimate, you could expect to pay between $40 and $60 per hour. Prices can vary based on the experience that the contractor has, the scope of the project, site access , and the materials. The basic materials such as tiling grout and glue are usually included in the labor rates however, they do not include the tile.

The tiles themselves can vary drastically in cost. Bathrooms can range between $50 and $500 per square meter, that can be amounted to $2400 or even a staggering $24,000 just to cover the walls of your typical bathroom (12m2 walls) which is before you tile the flooring.

Don't forget to think about the expense of making the floor bedding that is typically added to the total cost and is charged an approximate the average of $45 per square meter, (as a guide only). With these numbers, it's not surprising that the task of laying tiles in your bathroom could be the most expensive task.

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The area to be tiled is essential.

The best way to save money on the tiling process is to reduce the amount you can. Instead of tiling the entire shower recess, it might be similar to tile half way and then paint the remainder.

There are instances where the more tiled floor will cost much more.

You may be shocked to find that there isn't any significant price distinction between tiling at eye-level or all the up towards the ceiling (which could make a space appear larger) since you do not need to pay for borders tiles.

For only a little more, you can make a chic look bathroom by completing the tiled walls with natural stones.

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