At a Glance
Melbourne's inner-suburb period homes have kitchens with character, and that character extends to the splashback. Pressed tin panels, heritage-style subway tiles, and handmade ceramics are all common in Fitzroy, Carlton, and Brunswick kitchen renovations. But whether you are going heritage charm or clean modern, a kitchen splashback in Melbourne costs $500–$3,350 per job.
What's Included in the Price
- Removal of old splashback material if applicable (old tiles, glass, pressed tin)
- Wall preparation (cleaning, priming, patching if needed)
- Supply and installation of splashback tiles to AS 3958
- Cutouts around power points and switches
- Grouting and silicone sealing along benchtop and wall junctions
- Cleanup
Remember, the benchtop needs to be installed before the splashback. The tiles sit on and butt up against the benchtop surface.
What Affects the Cost
- Tile material. Standard subway tiles are the most affordable. Heritage-style tiles, hand-made ceramics, and pressed tin alternatives (not technically tiling but often quoted by the same trades) cost more. Glass mosaic is the most expensive per square metre.
- Kitchen size and layout. Period home kitchens in inner Melbourne often have L-shaped or U-shaped layouts with generous splashback areas. Modern apartments tend to have compact single-wall or island-plus-wall configurations.
- Power point cutouts. Each cutout adds $30–$60 of labour. Melbourne kitchens typically have 3–5 power points along the splashback.
- Window reveals. Common above kitchen sinks in older homes. Tiling around windows adds cutting and finishing work.
- Pattern. Brick bond is standard and quickest. Herringbone is popular in Melbourne period kitchen renovations but adds time.
- Existing splashback removal. Older Melbourne kitchens may have painted plaster, tile, or laminate splashbacks. Removal and wall repair costs depend on what is coming off and the condition of the wall behind it.
A subway tile splashback behind the cooktop in a modern South Yarra apartment sits toward $500. A full kitchen splashback in a Northcote period home with hand-made tiles, herringbone pattern, old tile removal, window reveal tiling, and 5 power point cutouts pushes toward $3,350.
Melbourne-Specific Considerations
Melbourne's kitchen splashback market reflects the city's mix of period character homes and modern apartments.
Inner-suburb period homes. Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick, Northcote, Hawthorn. Kitchen renovations in these suburbs often aim to blend modern function with heritage character. Heritage-style subway tiles (bevelled edge, off-white, handmade look) are popular. Some homeowners go for pressed tin panels instead of tiles. If the kitchen has original lath-and-plaster walls, the tiler needs to check the wall is sound before tiling. Crumbling plaster must be repaired or sheeted over first.
Large open-plan kitchens. Newer eastern suburb homes (Doncaster, Glen Waverley, Templestowe) and warehouse conversions (Collingwood, Abbotsford) often have large kitchen splashback areas that suit large-format porcelain. Fewer grout lines mean easier cleaning, and the look suits these spacious kitchens.
Apartment kitchens. Docklands, Southbank, Box Hill, South Yarra. Compact kitchens with standard plasterboard walls. Straightforward to tile and usually on the smaller end for area. Most apartment splashbacks are a half-day job for an experienced tiler.
Melbourne tile suppliers. Melbourne has a strong network of tile studios and boutique suppliers, particularly around Collingwood, Richmond, and Brunswick. If you want a hand-made or designer tile, visiting a showroom before getting quotes helps the tiler understand the material they will be working with. Some hand-made tiles have irregular edges that change how they are laid. The Victorian Building Authority oversees building practitioner registration.
Hiring a Licensed Tiler in VIC
In Victoria, tiling-only work is covered by the single-trade exemption, meaning the tiler does not need VBA registration for a standalone splashback job. If the splashback is part of a broader kitchen renovation involving multiple trades, a registered domestic builder should manage the project.
For any splashback job, check:
- Public liability insurance
- Photos of recent splashback work (especially if using a non-standard tile)
- That the quote itemises power point cutouts and window reveals separately
- References from Melbourne homeowners
You can search the VBA practitioner register for registered builders managing larger renovations.
Red flags: A tiler who does not ask about your benchtop timeline (they need to come after the benchtop is in), gives a single line-item quote without breaking out cutout costs, or has no photos of previous splashback work.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed tilers in the Melbourne metro area. All prices include GST. Figures cover the splashback tiling itself. Benchtop installation, electrical work, and full kitchen renovations are separate costs.