Whether you need a bathroom retiled, a new kitchen floor or a patio finished, a skilled tiler makes the difference between a floor that lasts and one that lifts. HandymanService.co.za is a free quote-request service for South Africa. Tell us about your tiling job and we pass it to independent tilers near you, who quote you directly. We do not tile ourselves and we never give prices. There is no fee and no obligation to accept a quote.
What a tiler does
A tiler prepares the surface, sets out the layout, fixes the tiles and finishes the joints. The range of work is wide.
- Floor tiles in living areas, kitchens and passages.
- Wall tiles in showers, splashbacks and around baths.
- Outdoor tiling on stoeps, patios and braai areas.
- Re-grouting and replacing cracked or loose tiles.
- Skirting tiles, trims and feature walls.
Some tilers also do screeding and minor repairs to the floor beneath.
Surface preparation comes first
Tiles fail when the base is wrong. The floor must be clean, firm and flat. Uneven concrete is levelled with a screed or a self-levelling compound. Old tiles are lifted if they sound hollow.
Wet areas such as showers, balconies and bathroom floors need waterproofing before tiling. Skipping this step is a common cause of leaks into the room below. On clay soils, hairline cracks in the slab can telegraph through tiles, so ask whether a flexible adhesive or a crack-isolation layer is advised.
Outdoor tiles also need a fall for water to run away, and a slip-resistant finish.
Choosing tiles and finishes
Tile size, material and finish affect both look and cost of labour. Large porcelain tiles need a very flat base and more care. Small mosaics take longer to lay. Natural stone must be sealed.
- Porcelain: hard and low in water absorption, good for floors.
- Ceramic: suited to walls and light-traffic floors.
- Outdoor tiles: choose a textured, sun-resistant type.
Decide on grout colour and joint width early, since both change how the room looks. Order about ten percent extra for cuts and breakages, and keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.
What affects the quote
We do not show prices. Tilers consider the floor and wall area, the tile size and pattern, the condition of the base, and whether old tiles must be removed and dumped. Extra waterproofing, levelling, trims and cutting around fixtures add work. Say whether you supply the tiles or want the tiler to source them, and whether the room can stay empty during the job. Photos and a rough plan help tilers quote accurately.
Ask about timing as well. Adhesive needs time to cure before grouting, and floors need a day or two before heavy use. A tiler who rushes this step risks tiles lifting later. Check that the quote covers cleaning off grout haze, sealing natural stone and removing rubble, and ask who handles any plumbing moves for a new shower or basin.
Comparing quotes for tiling
The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:
- Scope: exactly what is included, from preparation and materials to rubble removal and clean-up.
- Materials: the brand, grade or quantity allowed for, and who buys and delivers them.
- Timing: when the work can start, how long it takes and what happens if it rains.
- Guarantee and terms: any workmanship guarantee, deposit, payment stages and how long the price holds.
What to include in your request
- Measure the area of each room or wall to be tiled.
- Say whether you or the tiler will buy the tiles.
- Note if old tiles need to be lifted and removed.
- Mention any damp, cracks or uneven floors.
- Add photos and the tile size you have chosen.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a tiler?
Can new tiles go over old tiles?
Why do I need waterproofing in a shower?
How do tilers price a job?
Tiling by province
- Tiling Gauteng
- Tiling Mpumalanga
- Tiling North West
- Tiling Limpopo
- Tiling Northern Cape
- Tiling Free State
- Tiling KwaZulu-Natal
- Tiling Eastern Cape
- Tiling Western Cape
Tiling by city and town
- Tiling in Johannesburg
- Tiling in Pretoria
- Tiling in Centurion
- Tiling in Midrand
- Tiling in Sandton
- Tiling in Randburg
- Tiling in Roodepoort
- Tiling in Krugersdorp
- Tiling in Randfontein
- Tiling in Germiston
- Tiling in Boksburg
- Tiling in Benoni
- Tiling in Kempton Park
- Tiling in Alberton
- Tiling in Vanderbijlpark
- Tiling in Vereeniging
- Tiling in eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Tiling in Middelburg
- Tiling in Secunda
- Tiling in Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Tiling in Rustenburg
- Tiling in Brits
- Tiling in Klerksdorp
- Tiling in Potchefstroom
- Tiling in Polokwane
- Tiling in Tzaneen
- Tiling in Lephalale
- Tiling in Kimberley
- Tiling in Kathu
- Tiling in Upington
- Tiling in Bloemfontein
- Tiling in Welkom
- Tiling in Sasolburg
- Tiling in Durban
- Tiling in Pinetown
- Tiling in Pietermaritzburg
- Tiling in Richards Bay
- Tiling in Newcastle
- Tiling in Ladysmith
- Tiling in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Tiling in East London
- Tiling in Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Tiling in Cape Town
- Tiling in Bellville
- Tiling in Paarl
- Tiling in Stellenbosch
- Tiling in George
- Tiling in Worcester
