What Affects the Cost
Kitchen layout. Galley kitchens in inner-city terraces have limited splashback area (sometimes just 2–3m2 behind the cooktop). An L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen in a larger home might have 8–12m2 of splashback wall. Larger areas bring the per-square-metre rate down because setup time is fixed.
Tile choice. Ceramic subway tiles (stocked at Beaumont Tiles, National Tiles, and Bunnings) are the most affordable option at $25–$60/m2. Designer and handmade tiles from tile studios in the eastern suburbs and inner west run $100–$300/m2. Glass mosaic tiles sit at $80–$250/m2.
Power point cutouts. Sydney kitchens typically have 4–6 power points along the splashback. Each cutout adds $30–$60 of cutting time. If you want to add or move power points, that is electrical work that must be completed before the tiler starts.
Window reveals. If the splashback wraps around a kitchen window (common above the sink), the reveals need tiling on the sides and sill. This adds cutting and finishing work that is easy to miss in a quote.
Pattern. Brick bond is standard for subway tiles and the quickest to lay. Herringbone adds 20–30% to labour. Fish scale and penny round patterns add 30–40% due to intricate edge cuts.
Grout type. Cement grout is standard ($5–$10/m2) but stains without sealing. Epoxy grout ($15–$30/m2) is stain-proof and grease-resistant, worth the upgrade behind the cooktop.
Old splashback removal. Removing old ceramic tiles costs $25–$40/m2. Glass splashback removal is quicker but the silicone adhesive residue needs thorough cleaning and the wall often needs patching.
A ceramic subway tile splashback behind the cooktop in a compact Newtown galley kitchen sits toward $500. A full kitchen splashback in a Mosman renovation with zellige tiles, herringbone pattern, epoxy grout, 6 power point cutouts, window reveal tiling, and old tile removal pushes toward $3,600.
Sydney-Specific Considerations
Sydney kitchens range from tiny galley layouts in terraces to expansive open-plan designs in newer apartments and houses. Each has different splashback implications.
Inner-city terraces (Newtown, Marrickville, Balmain, Surry Hills). Galley kitchens with limited wall space mean splashback areas of 2–4m2. Material costs stay low, but the per-square-metre rate is higher because setup time is fixed and the tiler still needs to cut around power points and fit to rendered walls that are rarely perfectly flat. Older terrace walls may need levelling before tiling, adding $15–$25/m2 for substrate preparation. White or off-white subway tiles in brick bond remain the most common choice in these suburbs, keeping the total cost manageable even in a full renovation.
Eastern suburbs (Bondi, Randwick, Rose Bay, Double Bay). These suburbs drive much of Sydney's designer tile market. Handmade tiles, Moroccan zellige, terrazzo-look tiles, and imported Italian ceramics are popular choices for kitchen splashbacks. Material costs in these renovations often exceed labour costs. Tile studios along Oxford Street and in Paddington carry ranges that start at $100/m2 and run well above $300/m2. If you are choosing a handmade tile with irregular edges, allow extra for labour as the tiler needs to manage uneven thickness and adjust spacing throughout.
Apartments (Zetland, Mascot, Rhodes, Parramatta). Standard plasterboard walls behind the benchtop, usually in good condition and ready for tiling with minimal preparation. If you are in a strata building, check for noise restrictions on tile cutting. Many Sydney strata schemes restrict noisy work to weekdays 7am to 5pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm. A compact apartment splashback is typically a half-day to one-day job for an experienced tiler.
Suburban family kitchens (Hills District, Sutherland Shire, Northern Beaches). Larger open-plan kitchens with generous splashback runs of 8–12m2. Large-format porcelain tiles (600x600mm or 600x1200mm) suit these kitchens, offering fewer grout lines and easier cleaning behind the cooktop. Kitchen plumbing for sinks and dishwashers should be completed before the splashback tiling begins.
Hiring a Licensed Tiler in NSW
In NSW, tiling work valued over $5,000 (including GST) requires the tiler to hold a Wall and Floor Tiling licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. Most standalone splashback jobs fall under this threshold, but if your splashback is part of a larger kitchen renovation, the total may exceed it.
Even for smaller jobs, a good tiler will:
Carry public liability insurance
Show photos of recent splashback work, especially with the tile type you have chosen
Provide a clear breakdown of what is included versus extra (particularly power point cutouts and window reveals)
Ask about your benchtop installation timeline before scheduling
You can verify a licence on the NSW Fair Trading licence search.
Worth checking:
The quote itemises power point cutouts and window reveals as separate line items
The tiler has inspected the kitchen in person before quoting
They confirm the benchtop needs to be installed before they start
They specify the grout type (cement or epoxy) and explain the difference
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed tilers in the Sydney metro area. All prices include GST. Figures cover the splashback tiling itself, including tiles, adhesive, grout, and installation labour. Benchtop installation, electrical work (adding or moving power points), and full kitchen renovations are separate costs.