How do I quote a tiling job per square metre?
Enter your supply-and-lay rate per m² for the tile type and size (ceramic, porcelain, large-format or mosaic), add the wall and floor areas, and TradiQuote multiplies it out. Add separate line items for substrate prep, tile adhesive and grout, waterproofing in wet rooms, skirting or trims per linear metre and silicone sealing — so the client sees exactly what each part costs. Save the rates once and your next tiling quote takes two minutes.
How do I account for tile waste and cutting in a quote?
Waste depends on tile size and pattern. Small mosaics and diagonal or herringbone layouts cut more than a straight lay of standard tiles, so most tilers add a waste allowance of roughly 5–10% on simple jobs and more on patterned or large-format work. In TradiQuote you simply bump the supplied area or add a separate cutting and wastage line, so the allowance is visible and agreed rather than absorbed into your margin.
Why does bathroom tiling cost more than a plain floor?
Bathrooms and showers need waterproofing under the tiles, more cuts around the bath, toilet and niches, and slow detailed work in a small space. Listing waterproofing per m², substrate prep, sanitary-ware refit and silicone sealing as their own line items shows the client why a wet room is not the same price as an open floor — and protects you from disputes when the bathroom quote is higher.
What are typical tiling rates per m² in South Africa?
As an indicative 2026 guide, supply-and-lay of tiling commonly ranges around R150–R450/m² depending on the tile, and labour-only (client supplies tiles) around R90–R200/m². Large-format and patterned work sits at the top of the range; a straight lay of standard tiles sits lower. These are rough market ranges to sanity-check against — always set your own rates based on your costs, tile and margin.
Can clients pay a tiling deposit online?
Yes. Once the client signs the proposal, a deposit invoice with your banking details is created and sent automatically. They can pay by EFT or card, and you're notified when it clears — so you can buy the tiles, adhesive and waterproofing and book the job before you start.
