What's Included in the Price
- Removal of existing flooring if applicable (old tiles, vinyl, carpet)
- Floor preparation including levelling compound on the concrete slab ($20–$40/m2 for standard correction)
- Supply and installation of floor tiles to AS 3958
- Cutting at edges, doorways, and around fixed elements
- Movement joints at doorways, substrate changes, and at maximum 4.5m intervals per AS 3958
- Adhesive, grouting, and silicone sealing at all junctions
- Cleanup and waste disposal
Materials (tiles, adhesive, levelling compound, grout) make up 35–45% of the cost. Labour is the balance, and Perth's stable slab conditions generally keep preparation labour moderate compared to southern cities with timber subfloors.
What Affects the Cost
- Total area. Perth's newer homes are known for generous floor plans. An open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area can easily be 50–80m2. Larger areas bring per-square-metre rates down because the tiler spends more time on efficient runs and less on setup and cutting. Volume discounts of 10–15% on labour are common above 40m2.
- Floor preparation. Perth's sandy soils produce stable slabs with less cracking than reactive clay areas. Levelling is still needed ($20–$40/m2 for standard correction) but tends to be less extensive than in Melbourne or Adelaide. Large-format tiles (600x600mm and above) require the substrate to be flat to within 3mm over 2 metres, so even good-looking slabs usually need some compound.
- Tile type. Porcelain is the most popular choice for Perth living areas. Large-format porcelain (600x600mm or 600x1200mm, $50–$120/m2 supply) suits the big open-plan spaces and creates fewer grout lines. Timber-look porcelain planks (200x1200mm, $45–$90/m2) are increasingly popular as a low-maintenance alternative to hardwood. Natural stone ($55–$130/m2) appears in western suburb renovations.
- Indoor-outdoor continuity. Perth's outdoor lifestyle means many homes extend tiled floors from living areas through sliding doors to alfresco entertaining areas. At the transition, outdoor tiles must meet AS 4586 slip resistance ratings (minimum P3/R10) and the surface must slope away from the house.
- Old flooring removal. Removing existing tiles costs $30–$65/m2. Vinyl removal is cheaper but adhesive residue needs grinding before new adhesive will bond. Carpet is the simplest to remove.
- Pattern. Straight grid and brick bond are standard and most cost-effective. Timber-look tiles laid in a staggered pattern are popular for adding visual interest without the full labour cost of a true herringbone (which adds 20–40% to labour).
A laundry retile in a modern Baldivis home with basic porcelain on a flat slab sits toward $1,450. An open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area in a Dalkeith home with large-format porcelain, old tile removal, floor levelling, and indoor-outdoor transition tiling pushes toward $9,500.
Perth-Specific Considerations
Perth's construction style and climate create conditions that differ noticeably from the eastern capitals.
Stable sand-based foundations. Most of metropolitan Perth sits on sandy soils (Bassendean sands, Spearwood dunes, Quindalup dunes) that provide stable foundations for concrete slabs. This is a significant advantage for floor tiling: slabs are less likely to crack or move over time compared to reactive clay areas in Adelaide or parts of Melbourne. The substrate tends to be flatter from the outset, reducing levelling costs. Standard adhesive is appropriate for most Perth slab conditions, whereas reactive clay areas may need flexible adhesive to accommodate minor seasonal movement.
Large open-plan layouts (Rockingham, Joondalup, Ellenbrook, Butler, Baldivis). Perth homes built from the 1990s onward typically have large open-plan living areas of 50–80m2 or more. These big floor areas suit floor tiling well. A tiler working on 60m2 of continuous floor can establish a rhythm that keeps per-square-metre costs lower than tiling small, disconnected rooms. Large-format porcelain (600x1200mm) is the most requested tile type in these homes, creating a seamless look with minimal grout lines. National Tiles and local Perth tile suppliers stock these formats for immediate availability.
Alfresco living (across all Perth suburbs). Perth's climate drives extensive outdoor entertaining areas. Many homeowners want their indoor floor tiles to extend through sliding doors to a covered alfresco area. At this transition, tiles must change to outdoor-rated products with P3 minimum slip resistance, and the fall must slope away from the house at the required gradient. Some tile ranges offer matching indoor and outdoor versions for visual continuity. A movement joint is required at the transition point, and the outdoor adhesive type differs from interior specification.
Older suburbs (Morley, Bassendean, Midland, Maylands, Mt Lawley). Homes from the 1960s–1980s may have vinyl or carpet over concrete slabs. The slabs are usually in reasonable condition thanks to Perth's stable sandy soils but may need more levelling work than newer builds. Vinyl removal sometimes reveals adhesive residue that needs grinding before tiles can go down.
Western suburbs (Dalkeith, Claremont, Nedlands, Cottesloe). Premium renovations with natural stone (marble, travertine, limestone at $55–$130/m2 supply) or imported large-format porcelain. Material costs in these suburbs are often higher than labour costs. Stone tiles require sealing before grouting and periodically after installation, adding ongoing maintenance.
Hiring a Licensed Tiler in WA
In WA, tiling falls under general builder registration administered by Building and Energy (DEMIRS). Registration is required for work that needs a building permit or is valued over $20,000. You can check registration on the DEMIRS register.
A good tiler will insist on a site inspection before quoting, specify the adhesive type and levelling method in writing, and plan movement joint locations before starting. For indoor-outdoor transitions, they should confirm the outdoor tile slip resistance rating and fall specification.
Worth checking:
- Builder registration is current where applicable (work over $20,000 or requiring a permit)
- The quote includes floor levelling or lists it as a separate line item after site inspection
- Movement joints are specified for large open-plan areas (every 4.5m and at doorways)
- For alfresco transitions, outdoor tile slip resistance (P3 minimum) and fall are confirmed
- Public liability insurance is current
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed tilers in the Perth metro area, adjusted for property age and floor condition. All prices include GST. Bathroom tiling, outdoor tiling, and underfloor heating systems are separate costs not included in these figures.