At a Glance
You are standing in the kitchen of your Joondalup home, looking at scratched vinyl that has seen better days, and thinking about tiles. Floor tiling in Perth costs $1,450–$9,500 per job. Perth's sand-based foundations produce stable concrete slabs that are generally ideal for tiling, and the open-plan layouts in newer Perth homes mean tilers can work efficiently across large areas.
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
- 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
- Grouting and silicone sealing
- Cleanup and waste disposal
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.
- Floor preparation. Perth's sandy soils produce stable slabs with less cracking than reactive clay areas. Levelling is still needed ($40–$75/m2) but tends to be less extensive.
- Tile type. Porcelain is the most popular choice for Perth living areas. Large-format tiles (600x600mm and above) suit the big open-plan spaces. Natural stone is less common for floors than in Sydney but appears in western suburb renovations.
- Indoor-outdoor continuity. Perth's outdoor lifestyle means many homes extend tiled floors from living areas to alfresco entertaining areas. This requires transitioning to outdoor-rated, slip-resistant tiles at the threshold.
- Old flooring removal. Removing existing tiles costs $30–$65/m2. Vinyl removal is cheaper but adhesive residue needs grinding. Carpet is the simplest to remove.
- Pattern. Straight grid and brick bond are standard. Timber-look tiles laid in a staggered pattern are popular for adding visual interest without the labour cost of a true herringbone.
A laundry retile in a modern Baldivis home with basic porcelain 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 from the eastern capitals.
Stable sand-based foundations. Most of Perth sits on sandy soils 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, reducing levelling costs.
Large open-plan layouts. From Rockingham in the south to Joondalup in the north, Perth homes built from the 1990s onward typically have large open-plan living areas. 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.
Alfresco living. 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 AS 4586 slip resistance ratings, and the fall must slope away from the house. If you want visual continuity, some tile ranges offer matching indoor and outdoor versions.
Older suburbs. Morley, Bassendean, Midland, Maylands. Homes from the 1960s–1980s may have vinyl or carpet over concrete slabs. The slabs are usually in reasonable condition but may need more levelling work than newer builds.
Western suburbs. Dalkeith, Claremont, Nedlands. Premium renovations with natural stone or imported large-format porcelain. Material costs are often higher than labour costs in these suburbs.
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.
Before hiring:
- Check builder registration where applicable on the DEMIRS register
- Confirm public liability insurance
- Ask for a site inspection before they quote
- Request references or photos of recent floor tiling work in Perth
Red flags: A tiler who quotes per square metre without inspecting the floor, does not discuss movement joints for large areas, or suggests skipping floor levelling.
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.