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Trade 31 of 33Updated June 2026

A research dossier · 260 trade-region files across 8 states & territories · AS 3740 waterproofing standard verified

Hiring a Tiler
is half tile, half waterproofing.

The tiles are what you see. The waterproofing membrane underneath is what stops a $20,000 bathroom rebuild in five years. The cheap tiler skips, thins, or sub-contracts the waterproofing — and the bathroom looks great at handover. Then the upstairs leak appears, the gyprock ceiling stains, and you find out the waterproofer was never actually licensed.

AS 3740

The standard the waterproofing must meet.

$80–$160

Tiling per m² installed — the honest range.

$20k

Cost of a bathroom rebuild when waterproofing fails.

In a hurry? Start here

I've got quotes

Compare them properly

Most tiler quotes price different scopes. See what a real quote contains, line by line.

I need someone now

Handle it urgently

Make-safe price first, full quote second — and verify the licence before anyone starts.

Is this one legit?

Verify this tradie

The free 60-second routine: licence, insurance, ABN, history — before you pay a deposit.

My state

Check your state rules

Licensing, deposit caps and the common gotcha for your state and territory.

Or grab the four printable buyer checklists →

90-second briefing

Read this first

Before you hire a tiler, know this.

  1. 1

    Waterproofing under the tiles is the whole game in wet areas — it must comply with AS 3740.

  2. 2

    Confirm who does the waterproofing and that you will get the certificate — it is a separate trade.

  3. 3

    Tiling is priced per m² plus prep, and tile size and type change the labour rate.

  4. 4

    Get the tile, grout, screed and waterproofing system specified in writing.

  5. 5

    Get the insurance details and a written scope before any deposit.

How this page was built

A research dossier, not a referral page.

Sources

Reddit (r/sydney · r/melbourne · r/AusRenovation), Whirlpool, ProductReview, AS 3740 (Waterproofing of domestic wet areas), AS 4654 (Waterproofing membranes), state licensing portals.

Verification

Pricing cross-checked. AS 3740 + AS 4654 referenced. State waterproofing licensing rules (separate from tiling licence) verified.

Funding

No tiler pays for placement. No referral fees. Funded by the supply-side flyer service at tradies.needatrade.com.au/flyers/.

Before we start

The tiles are decoration.
The waterproofing is the job.

Every wet-area tile job has two trades inside it. The waterproofer (a separately licensed sub-trade in most states) lays the membrane. The tiler bonds tiles to the membrane. The cheap operator either does the waterproofing without a licence, or skips it, or sub-contracts to the cheapest waterproofer in town. Six years later you find out which.

The 10 questions below force the waterproofing into the conversation. A working tiler welcomes them — they coordinate with their licensed waterproofer + show you the certificate. A cowboy stalls — the cheap quote depends on you not asking.

"Lippage" — uneven tile heights — is the cosmetic giveaway. If you can feel it under bare feet, the prep work was rushed. What else got rushed?

01

How much should it really cost?

Tiling pricing splits into prep + waterproofing + adhesive + tile + grout + finish. Anyone quoting "$X to tile the bathroom" without splitting them is hiding which line is the cheap one.

Six lines a real tile quote shows

  • 1Demo + prep. Removing old tiles, levelling screed, hob/step preparation, falls cut for shower drainage.
  • 2Waterproofing membrane. AS 3740 compliant. Licensed waterproofer if state requires. Brand (Ardex / Mapei / Davco / Dunlop).
  • 3Adhesive. Brand + type (cement-based, modified). Different products for porcelain vs ceramic vs stone.
  • 4Tile cost + waste allowance. 10% waste typical. Tile delivery + storage.
  • 5Grout + silicone. Sanded vs unsanded, epoxy vs cement-based. Silicone in movement joints (corners, hob, perimeter).
  • 6Finish + clean-up. Sealing if stone. Site clean. Wet-area test before handover.

Indicative ranges · supply + install

AU 2026

Tile labour only (per m²)$80 – $160/m²
Waterproofing (licensed · per wet area)$800 – $1,800
Bathroom tile install (labour + waterproofing only)$3,500 – $7,500
Kitchen splashback (labour only)$450 – $1,200
Stone tile premium (marble / travertine)+30–60%
Cheap quote (no waterproofing licence / shortcut prep)under $50/m²
Indicative. Mosaic, large-format slabs, herringbone pattern, stone, heated floors all add to the labour line.

Ask this, exactly

Save · share · screenshot

"Can you send the quote with prep, waterproofing (brand + AS 3740 compliance), adhesive (brand), grout, and the waterproofer's licence number — line by line?"

02

How to tell a real one from a cowboy.

The tiling villain is the operator who lays tile over thin or absent waterproofing, hopes you never look, and walks off with the deposit when the leak finally shows in year four.

Red flags — in order of how often you'll meet them

  • !

    No separate waterproofing line

    "It's all included" without spelling it out = the waterproofer might be the tiler doing it unlicensed, or no waterproofing at all. Get the licence number for whoever's doing it.

  • !

    No flood test before tiling

    A working waterproofer floods the area after the membrane cures — water sits on it for 24 hours. Confirms it doesn't leak. Cheap installs skip this — and you find out the membrane was holed by the next tradesperson.

  • !

    No mention of AS 3740

    AS 3740 is the Australian Standard for waterproofing wet areas. Compliance = covered by warranties. Non-compliance = your insurance won't pay.

  • !

    Tile-only quote that doesn't mention falls + hobs

    Bathroom floors need falls to the drain (minimum 1:100 in showers under AS 3740). Hobs at shower edges contain water. Cheap quote doesn't cut falls properly + skips the hob.

  • !

    Cash payment

    Same as every trade. Plus: no waterproofing certificate, no warranty against leaks, no insurance claim in 5 years.

The verification routine — 10 minutes, free

  1. ✓
    Tiler's state licence above threshold (NSW: $5k+ Specialist Trade. QLD: $3.3k+ QBCC. VIC: $10k+ BPC).
  2. ✓
    Waterproofer's separate licence. Required in NSW for any wet-area work. Sometimes the tiler holds both; sometimes a separate operator. Either is fine — but it must be licensed.
  3. ✓
    ABN on abr.business.gov.au.
  4. ✓
    Public liability + workers comp. Certificate of currency.
  5. ✓
    Three reference jobs at year 4+. Bathroom that's 4–5 years old. No staining on ceiling below. Tells you the waterproofing held.

Ask this, exactly

"Can you send your tiler's licence, your waterproofer's separate licence number, and a written commitment that the waterproofing is AS 3740 compliant + flood-tested before tiling?"

03

Waterproofing licence is separate.

Tiler — licensing & compliance by state

Choose your state:
NSW $5,000

Regulator

Building Commission NSW

Common gotcha

Written scope; waterproofing certificate for wet areas where applicable

VIC $10,000

Regulator

Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC, formerly VBA)

Common gotcha

Written scope; waterproofing certificate for wet areas where applicable

QLD Licensed

Regulator

QBCC

Common gotcha

Wall and floor tiling

WA Licensed

Regulator

Building Services Board (Building and Energy)

Common gotcha

Written scope; waterproofing certificate for wet areas where applicable

SA Licensed

Regulator

Consumer and Business Services (CBS)

Common gotcha

Written scope; waterproofing certificate for wet areas where applicable

ACT Licensed

Regulator

Construction Occupations Registrar (Access Canberra)

Common gotcha

Written scope; waterproofing certificate for wet areas where applicable

NT Licensed

Regulator

Building Practitioners Board

Common gotcha

Written scope; waterproofing certificate for wet areas where applicable

TAS Licensed

Regulator

CBOS (Consumer, Building and Occupational Services)

Common gotcha

Written scope; waterproofing certificate for wet areas where applicable

Half-time

If the waterproofing isn't licensed, the bathroom isn't built.

Quote anatomy, the cowboy test, the licence. The first three put the waterproofing membrane front and centre — where it belongs. The next seven are how working tilers tell themselves apart from each other, and how the bathroom still leaks zero water in 2046.

04

When can they fit you in?

Tilers run 4–10 weeks out for standalone jobs. Bathroom renovations are typically a 1–3 week tile portion within a longer overall reno schedule. Waterproofing needs to cure (24–72 hours) before tiling — a working tiler builds that into the schedule, a high-risk operator tiles over uncured membrane.

A realistic start.

4–10 weeks for full tiling, longer for stone or custom work. Smaller jobs (splashback) sometimes 2 weeks.

A realistic duration.

Bathroom: 4–8 days for tile + waterproofing combined. Plus 24–72 hr cure between membrane + tile. Plus grout cure before re-use.

Cure discipline.

Membrane cure + flood test + tile cure + grout cure. Each step has a wait time. The quote-trap operator rushes through all four.

Ask this, exactly

"Show me the schedule — when does the membrane cure happen, when's the flood test, when do the tiles go down?"

05

What happens next, step by step.

  1. 1Step

    Site measure + design

    Tile selection. Layout planning (centre lines, cuts, patterns). Setting-out drawings agreed.

  2. 2Step

    Demo + screed

    Old tiles removed. Substrate prepped. Floor screed laid with correct falls to drain (1:100 minimum in showers).

  3. 3Step

    Waterproofing membrane

    Licensed waterproofer applies membrane. Bond breaker at corners. Upturns at walls. Cures 24–72 hours.

  4. 4Step

    Flood test

    Water sat on the membrane for 24 hours. Confirms no leaks before tiling. Corner-cutters skip this.

  5. 5Step

    Tile + grout

    Adhesive applied. Tiles laid (centre lines + cuts at edges). Grout applied 24–48 hours after tiling.

  6. 6Step

    Seal (if stone) + final clean

    Stone tiles sealed against staining. Site cleaned. Wet-area drain tested. Snag list.

06

Ceramic, porcelain, or stone?

Option A

Ceramic

Softest, cheapest, easiest to cut. Glazed surface. Best for walls + low-traffic floors.

Right when: walls, splashbacks, budget bathrooms, low traffic.

Wrong when: high-traffic floors, outdoor (frost cracking).

Option B · most popular

Porcelain

Denser, harder, lower water absorption than ceramic. Suitable for floors, outdoor + indoor. Most residential default.

Right when: floors, outdoor, high-traffic, large-format slabs.

Wrong when: tight budget — ceramic does walls for less.

Option C

Stone (marble / travertine)

Premium feel. Each piece unique. Requires sealing + careful cleaning regime.

Right when: premium bathroom, design-led space, you'll maintain it.

Wrong when: low maintenance important. Acidic cleaners + spilt wine = stain you can't remove.

07

Warranty — workmanship vs leak.

Two different warranty clocks. Tiles popping = workmanship. Water coming through the floor = waterproofing failure. They're separate trades + separate warranties.

  1. Layer 01

    Statutory structural

    6 years (NSW · VIC) / 6.5 years (QLD) on residential building work above the threshold. Includes wet-area waterproofing.

  2. Layer 02

    Tiler's workmanship

    Typically 12 months to 5 years. Tile lifting, grout cracking, lippage, falls. What's in the membrane underneath isn't their warranty.

  3. Layer 03

    Waterproofer's warranty

    Often 7–10 years on the membrane itself. Manufacturer (Ardex / Mapei / Davco / Dunlop) + installer-workmanship. Read both PDFs.

  4. Layer 04

    Insurance-backed

    HBC / HW / DBI above state thresholds. Same rules as other building work.

Ask this, exactly

"Could you list the tiler's workmanship warranty, the waterproofer's warranty (period + brand), and the membrane manufacturer's warranty — in writing?"

08

Wet area, outdoor, splashback.

  • Wet areas (bathroom, ensuite, laundry)

    AS 3740 applies. Full waterproofing membrane to walls + floor. Licensed waterproofer required above state threshold.

  • Outdoor (decks, balconies, alfresco)

    AS 4654 + 4858 apply. Porcelain or external-grade tiles. UV-stable adhesive. Different cleaner / sealer regime.

  • Kitchen splashbacks

    No structural waterproofing required (not a wet area under AS 3740). But heat-resistant adhesive near cooktops. Pattern + cut decisions are aesthetic-driven.

  • Strata bathroom

    Owners corporation by-laws apply. Waterproofing failure can affect units below. Some buildings restrict bathroom renovations entirely.

Ask this, exactly

"Which Australian Standard applies to my area (AS 3740 wet / AS 4654 outdoor / etc), and are you compliant with all the falls + upturns + bond breaker requirements?"

09

Edge cases — get a second opinion for…

  • Stone tile (marble · travertine · slate)

    Sealing required before grouting + every 1–2 years after. Acidic cleaner forbidden. Specialist installer + maintenance guide.

  • Large-format slabs (over 600mm)

    Specialist install. Adhesive coverage critical. Levelling clips. Not standard tiler work.

  • Heated bathroom floors

    Underfloor heating cable + thermostat sub-trade. Coordination with electrician. Different adhesive specs.

  • Steam shower / wet room

    AS 3740 enhanced compliance. Full encapsulating membrane. Specialist install — not many tilers do these properly.

  • Heritage tile restoration

    Patching missing pieces with period-matched tile. Specialist sub-trade. Often the original tiles can be salvaged + relaid.

  • Mosaic + pattern work

    Significantly slower install. Setting-out drawings critical. Specialist sub-trade or premium pricing.

  • Strata bathroom

    Common-property water-leak risk. Owners corporation approval typically required for bathroom renovations.

  • Existing tile cracking / popping

    Diagnose before re-tiling. Substrate movement? Adhesive failure? Just laying new tile over old often replicates the problem.

  • Outdoor sloped deck / balcony

    AS 4654 compliance. Falls + drainage critical. Some heritage balconies aren't designed for tiling at all.

10

After they leave.

Tile aftercare is about respecting the cure window early, then maintenance later. Walking on tiles before adhesive cures = lippage. Using soap-scum cleaner on stone = etching. Skipping the re-seal at year 2 = stains soaking into porous stone.

Cure window.

No water on the tiles for 24 hours after grouting. No use of shower for 48 hours. Mostly forgotten by homeowners.

Grout sealing.

Cement-based grout: re-seal every 2–3 years. Epoxy grout: skip — it's already sealed.

Stone re-sealing.

Stone (marble / travertine / slate): re-seal every 1–2 years. Specialist sealer for the stone type.

Compliance certificate filed.

Waterproofing certificate kept by you. Required at sale + critical if a leak emerges.

Ask this, exactly

"When will I receive the waterproofing compliance certificate, the maintenance + sealing schedule, and the cleaning-product list?"

If you've read this far

A tiler who can name the waterproofer's licence, the AS standard, and the flood-test plan is not a unicorn. It's the bar.

The verification routine below is how you confirm any tiler you find — their licence number, insurance certificate, ABN, specialist endorsements, and references — before you sign or pay a deposit. We don't introduce, list or recommend specific tradies. No paid placement.

✓ No referral fees✓ Verified means all 10✓ No spam
Verify any tiler's licence 60-second routine · 6 free checks

Editorial position: we don't list, rank or recommend tradies on this site.
The separate operator platform — members.needatrade.com.au — opens later this year.

The toolkit

Use these before you sign.

The four components below apply to every Australian trade contract. The trade-specific sections above add the layer on top.

66 homeowner quotes · Reg State trade regulator + work-safety regulator · AS AS 3740 · 9 operator quotes · Last reviewed June 2026

Quote anatomy

What a real quote should contain

01

Operator + ABN

Full legal name + active 11-digit ABN

Verify on the Australian Business Register before paying any deposit. If the ABN isn't active, the contract has no enforceable counterparty.

02

State trade licence

Licence number + class on the quote

Cross-check on the relevant state regulator (linked in the glossary licence-check section). Confirms they can legally do the work.

03

Public liability insurance

$10–20 million cover, still current (not expired)

This is what pays if they damage your home — or a neighbour's — or someone is injured during the job. Ask them to email you the insurance certificate; "I'm covered, mate" is not proof.

04

Workers' insurance

In place if they bring any workers onto your property

If a worker is hurt on your property and the operator has no workers' insurance, you can be the one left liable. A genuine sole trader with no employees may not need it — just ask.

05

Itemised scope of work

What's included, what's not, line by line

"Standard installation" means nothing in court. Specific scope items are what get enforced.

06

Materials specification

Brand, grade, quantity, AS standard where applicable

Prevents the "we used what was on the truck" substitution that turns up under failure inspections.

07

Variations clause

How changes get priced + agreed, in writing

No written variation = unenforceable. Verbal "we'll work it out" is how budgets blow out by 40%.

08

Deposit + progress

Within your state's legal cap (e.g. NSW 10%; VIC 10%/5% by threshold; QLD tiered 20%/10%/5% by job value)

Above-cap deposits are illegal. Caps differ by state — check your state's current regulator guidance. Progress payments should align with completed stages, not arbitrary dates.

09

Warranty terms

Workmanship period + manufacturer warranty pass-through

Statutory warranty applies regardless, but written terms accelerate enforcement.

10

Completion definition

What "practical completion" means for this job

Triggers final payment + starts the defects liability period.

11

Dispute path

Named regulator/tribunal for disputes (e.g. NCAT, VCAT, QCAT)

Knowing the path before signing makes you a less attractive target for a dispute.

If a quote you receive is missing any of these, ask for them before you sign or pay a deposit.

The working operator vs the cowboy

Where
✓ Working operator
✗ Cowboy

Quote

Written, itemised, with named scope + exclusions. Numbered + dated.

A number on a text. "I'll do it for $X."

Licence

Licence number on the quote; matches the name on the state register.

"I'll send the licence later." Never does.

Insurance

Emails you the insurance certificate the same day you ask.

"I'm insured, mate." Never actually sends the certificate.

Deposit

Within statutory limit. Held in their account, receipted.

Asks for cash up front. Above the legal limit.

Variations

Written. Cost + time impact. You sign before work changes.

Verbal "we'll sort it out". Surprise invoice at the end.

Warranty

Written workmanship period. Manufacturer cert handed over.

"My word's my warranty." No paper.

References

Three recent jobs with photos + contact for past clients.

"All my reviews are on Google."

Clean-up

Final clean defined in scope. Photos taken at handover.

Site left messy. Promises to "come back tomorrow".

Ask this, exactly

Could you send your state trade licence number, current Certificate of Currency for public liability, and ABN before I confirm — and please put the itemised scope, deposit terms, and variation clause in writing too?

Send via SMS or email before booking. A working operator replies the same day with all of it attached. A cowboy stalls.

Deposit checklist

Before you pay a tiler deposit, collect these

  • Licence number

    State trade licence + class, printed on the quote. Verified on the regulator register.

  • ABN

    Active 11-digit ABN, entity name matching the licence. Checked on abr.business.gov.au.

  • Certificate of currency

    Current public-liability certificate (and workers comp if they bring workers). The insurer’s one-page proof — not “I’m covered, mate”.

  • Written, itemised quote

    On letterhead, numbered and dated. Not a number in a text message.

  • Scope inclusions / exclusions

    What’s in, what’s out, line by line. “Standard installation” is not a scope.

  • Deposit amount

    Within your state’s statutory cap (NSW 10%; QLD tiered 20% / 10% / 5% by job value; VIC 10% / 5% by threshold; other states vary). Check your regulator before paying.

  • Variation clause

    How changes get priced and agreed — in writing, before the work changes.

  • Warranty terms

    Workmanship period + manufacturer pass-through, with year limits and what triggers a callback.

  • Compliance / handover paperwork

    The certificate or compliance document you’ll receive at completion (varies by trade and state).

  • Defects / callback process

    The defects-liability period and how you call them back for an obvious fault — in writing.

  • Waterproofing certificate (AS 3740)

    Tiler-specific

  • Tile, grout and screed specified

    Tiler-specific
Collect every item before you transfer a deposit. If a tradie stalls on any of them, that is the answer.

Related references

Briefing

The 12 questions →

 Operational

Verify a tradie →

 Translation

Glossary →

 Provenance

Source ledger →
← Back to all 33 trades

Trade 31 of 33.

Standards

Standards often relevant to this trade

These are orientation references only — not a complete or job-specific list. Ask the licensed contractor to confirm the current standards, the NCC, and any state or territory requirements that apply to your job.

Plain-English definitions, who’s responsible, and an “ask this” for each → see the glossary.