Decide the tile’s intended use, wall and floor areas, wet-area specification, layout and edge details before buying. Confirm suitability with the supplier and agree installation requirements with the tiler. A photograph of a beautiful bathroom does not establish that a tile is suitable for your own floor or shower.
Make a plan of the actual surfaces
Measure each wall section and the floor separately. Mark the bath, shower, window, door and any fittings. Indicate where tiling will stop. A sketch helps expose decisions that a room moodboard can miss.
If you are moving sanitaryware, finalise the positions with the appropriate trade before settling the tile layout. Agree which dimensions are final and which still depend on building work.
Check suitability before falling in love with the finish
Ask the supplier for the actual product information: intended wall or floor use, surface characteristics, maintenance and any limitations. For a wet floor, discuss the specific use rather than relying only on a description such as bathroom tile.
The sample should be assessed alongside grout, trims and nearby finishes. Check whether the variation across a pack is part of the design, and whether the size and pattern work with the cuts shown on your plan.
Ask about the system beneath a shower finish
Waterproofing needs a planned system, with its own background and detailing requirements. Ask who supplies and installs it and how it connects with the tile work. Mapei’s technical sheet is an example of system-specific instructions, not a universal recipe for every bathroom.
Product drying and curing stages need to be allowed for. Confirm the manufacturer’s requirements and when the room can be used; do not shorten the sequence because the finished tile looks complete.
Keep a record of what is agreed
Record the tile product, dimensions, layout, grout, edge details and agreed quantity. Keep a note of how cuts and any extra stock will be allowed for. Confirm deliveries before booking a start that depends on materials.
Ask whether the quote includes removal, background preparation, disposal and any separate trades. Those decisions make the cost comparison more useful than a headline rate per square metre.
A practical comparison
| Decision | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tile use | Supplier rating and intended position | A wall finish is not automatically a floor specification. |
| Background | Existing condition and required preparation | The finish depends on what supports it. |
| Wet areas | Specified system and responsibilities | The visible tile is only part of the installation. |
| Layout | Cuts, edges, fittings and grout | The detail changes the appearance and work involved. |
| Quote | Inclusions, exclusions and other trades | Compare the same scope. |
Questions homeowners ask
Are ceramic and porcelain tiles interchangeable?
Choose by the actual product specification and use, not only the material label. Check the supplier’s guidance for wall or floor suitability, wet conditions, handling and maintenance.
Should a small bathroom be tiled floor to ceiling?
It is a design and scope decision. Compare the surfaces you need to protect, the look you want, transitions and maintenance. A full-height finish is not automatically the right choice for every room.
How many spare tiles should I order?
Agree the quantity with the supplier and tiler using the actual layout, cuts and pack sizes. Ask about extra stock for breakages or later repairs rather than applying one percentage to every project.
Sources & further reading
Technical decisions should follow the actual product instructions. These references support the planning points above.
- Mapei: Shower Waterproofing Kit technical sheetSystem-specific installation requirements, not a universal specification.
The homeowner questions behind this guide
These real discussions helped shape the questions. Community replies are personal experiences and opinions, not a verified installation specification or price list.
- r/DIYUK: comparing a bathroom tiling quoteQuestions about labour, layout, preparation and what a price includes. Figures in the thread are not current London price guidance.