How to Start a Tiling Business in 2026 (UK)

The Reality: Tiling is not a “tile on the wall” business. It is a prep, substrate, and finish business. You win on clean lines, flat surfaces, and accurate cuts. You lose money on uneven substrates, rushed prep, and underpriced grout and trim work.

Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.

Choose Your Tiling Business Model

Pick one model to start. Mixing everything early makes quoting inconsistent and margins unstable.

Decision shortcut:

• Start with bathrooms and splashbacks if you are solo.
• Add floors when you can price prep and leveling correctly.
• Move into commercial once your systems and photos prove quality.

Compliance and Safety (UK)

There is no single license required, but you must work safely and be competent.

Key safety basics

• Dust control and RPE when cutting tiles or removing old adhesive.
• Waterproofing standards for wet rooms and showers.
• Asbestos awareness for older flooring adhesives or substrates.
• Manual handling practices for heavy tiles and materials.

If you are unsure about a substrate, test before you start.

Insurance You Need (Do Not Skip This)

A cracked tile or leak can become an expensive claim.

For a deeper breakdown, see: Field Service Insurance Guide 2026.

Startup Costs: Lean vs Professional

Lean Start (£2,000 to £6,000)

• Basic hand tools and tile cutter
• Wet saw or score-and-snap system
• Dust extraction and protection
• Small van or estate car
• Insurance and basic marketing

Professional Start (£8,000 to £20,000)

• Reliable van with racking
• Pro wet saw and angle grinder setup
• Tile levelling systems and spacers
• Waterproofing and substrate prep kit
• Branded uniform and signage

Essential Equipment Checklist

Tier 1: Must-Have

• Tile cutter or wet saw
• Laser level and tape measure
• Trowels, floats, and grout tools
• Spacers, levelling system, and wedges
• Dust sheets, extraction, and PPE

Tier 2: Add Once Cash Flow Is Stable

• Large-format handling tools
• Tile hole cutter and diamond core kit
• Wet room and waterproofing kit
• Thermal camera or moisture meter
• Jobsite photos kit and lighting

Pricing Strategy That Actually Works

Tiling margin disappears when prep and substrate work are priced wrong.

Set your hourly floor

Target monthly income + overhead + taxes = revenue target Revenue target / billable hours = hourly floor

Example: £4,800 target income + £1,200 overhead = £6,000 £6,000 / 100 billable hours = £60 per hour minimum

Common pricing models

• Per square metre: Best for walls and floors once scope is clear.
• Fixed job price: Best for splashbacks and small bathrooms.
• Day rate: Good for repairs and snagging.

Pricing rules that protect profit

• Separate substrate prep from tiling in the scope.
• Price trim, edging, and silicone as line items.
• Charge more for large format or complex patterns.
• Define grout type and finish clearly.

Need help with objections? Use: How to Handle Price Objections Without Dropping Rate.

Prep Checklist (Copy/Paste)

A bad substrate creates a bad finish. Use this before you start.

Prep:
- Check wall and floor levels
- Fix loose boards or hollow tiles
- Prime or tank where required
- Confirm layout lines and starting points
- Dry lay tiles before mixing adhesive

Quote Template (Copy/Paste)

Use this to avoid scope creep and surprise extras.

Job:
Address:
Scope:
- Area: [sqm]
- Tile size and layout: [list]
- Substrate prep: [list]
- Grout and trim: [brand/spec]
Materials:
- Included (brand/spec listed)
Exclusions:
- Hidden damage or rotten timbers
- Electrical or plumbing changes
Schedule:
- [start date] to [end date]
Price:
- £[amount]
Payment terms:
- [deposit] on booking, balance on completion

If you need stronger protection, add a contract: How to Write Trade Business Contracts.

Change Orders (Hidden Defects and Client Changes)

Substrates hide problems. Protect yourself with a simple rule.

Change order request:
- Additional scope: £[amount] + [extra days]
- Approved by client: [name + date]

If the customer changes scope mid-job, use this: Customer Changed Job Scope After You Started.

Deposits and Progress Payments

Materials add up fast. Do not fund it yourself.

Common options:

• 30 percent deposit on booking
• 50/50 for smaller jobs
• Materials paid up front for large format tiles

If a customer refuses a deposit, treat it as a red flag: Customer Refuses to Pay Deposit: Red Flags.

Snagging Checklist

Finish quality wins reviews.

• Check grout lines and spacing
• Confirm cuts around sockets and pipes
• Clean haze and polish tiles
• Photograph the final finish
• Walk through with the client and get sign-off

Build a Service Menu (So You Can Quote Fast)

Start with 3 core services and defined scope.

Add-ons to upsell:

• Underfloor heating prep
• Feature wall layouts
• Waterproofing upgrades

Winning Customers (Fast)

Tiling is visual and trust-driven.

• Before-and-after photos on Google Business Profile weekly
• Short video walk-throughs on social media
• 10 reviews in your first 60 days
• Partnerships with bathroom and kitchen fitters
• Quote turnaround within 24 hours

For local SEO that works, use: Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026.

Turn One-Offs Into Repeat Work

Repeat work keeps the calendar full.

• Annual regrout and reseal services
• Maintenance plans for landlords
• Partner work with fitters and builders

Need templates? Use: Maintenance Contract Templates 2026.

Metrics to Track Every Week

These metrics show whether the business is healthy:

• Revenue per job
• Quote win rate
• Change order rate
• Snag or rework rate
• Average margin per job
• Overdue invoices count

Software That Actually Helps

Avoid heavy software until you have stable demand.

Month 1 to 3: Keep It Simple

• Scheduling: Google Calendar
• Quotes and invoices: Toolfy (£29/month includes scheduling + invoices + payment tracking)
• Customer details: Spreadsheet or notes app

Month 3 to 12: Systemize

• Job management: Toolfy handles scheduling, invoices, customer records, and payment tracking
• Payments: Send card or bank transfer links the same day
• Reminders: Automated payment follow-ups for late invoices
• Reviews: Trigger review requests after every completed job

Toolfy quick setup (30 minutes)

• Create service templates for bathrooms, floors, and splashbacks.
• Save your scope and exclusions in the quote template.
• Turn on payment reminders for overdue invoices.
• Track photos and snag notes per job.

Your First 90 Days Action Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Get insurance quotes
• Build your service menu and prices
• Create a quote template with inclusions and exclusions

Week 3-4: Go Live

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Photograph your first 5 jobs
• Collect 5 reviews
• Book 5 starter jobs

Week 5-8: Tighten the Process

• Track prep time and adjust pricing
• Add a change order policy
• Build a referral offer for neighbours
• Set up Toolfy for quotes and invoicing

Week 9-12: Scale the Round

• Target landlords and property managers
• Add a second trade partner or subcontractor
• Refine your service menu and remove low-margin jobs
• Build a seasonal plan for wet room work

Final Word: Prep Wins

The best tilers do not just lay tiles. They manage prep, layout, and finish to protect margin and reputation. Price for prep, document changes, and keep your systems tight.

Need job management software built for tilers? Toolfy handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking for £29/month. Built for UK service teams that want to get paid faster with less admin. See how Toolfy works ->