Find a tiler for the surface you have
In short
Choose a tiler who services your Sydney suburb and can show similar work with your tile type and layout. Check the NSW contractor licence where required, agree who handles surface repairs and waterproofing, and compare written quotes for the same preparation and finish. For an apartment, settle strata approvals before committing to a start date.
Step 1
Identify the surface and the work around the tiles
A splashback, bathroom floor and exposed balcony need different assessments. Send photos of the whole area, close-ups of damaged sections and any visible dampness. Ask for an inspection when the condition beneath existing tiles is unknown.
What to explain when you contact a tiler
| Your job | Details that affect the scope |
|---|---|
| Kitchen splashback | Tile size, pattern, wall condition, exposed edges and cuts around power points. Identify who will arrange any electrical work. |
| Bathroom or laundry | Existing leaks, tile removal, waterproofing, floor levels and drainage. Ask who will coordinate repairs before tiling. |
| Apartment living area | Existing floor covering, proposed tiles, door clearances and any strata sound-insulation requirements. |
| Balcony or outdoor steps | Exposure to rain, drainage, cracks, edges and wet-weather grip. Ask whether the job needs waterproofing or a broader repair assessment. |
Step 2
Check the NSW licence and waterproofing scope
In NSW, a contractor licence is required for residential wall and floor tiling work valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. Ask for the contracting business's licence number and check its status, categories and conditions through Service NSW. Match the licence holder to the business on the quote.
The wall and floor tiling category includes waterproofing wet areas in preparation for tiling, plus surface preparation and minor repairs. It excludes renewing or replacing the underlying surface. Ask who will do each part of your job and whether their licence covers it; a tiling licence does not establish authority for every repair or waterproofing project.
Request examples of comparable work, particularly for mosaics, natural stone, large tiles or detailed layouts. Ask for relevant insurance details and confirm who will attend your property.
Step 3
Resolve apartment approvals and access early
For a Sydney strata property, check the scheme's by-laws and speak to the strata manager before booking. NSW treats installing tile or other hard flooring as a minor renovation requiring approval, provided the work does not involve waterproofing or structural changes. Renovations requiring waterproofing are major renovations and need owners corporation approval through a special resolution. Ask what plans, acoustic evidence and any practitioner documentation your particular project needs.
Tell the tiler about lift bookings, stairs, loading access, parking restrictions and permitted work hours. For an Inner West terrace, explain narrow side access and where materials can be stored. For an apartment, agree how shared hallways and lifts will be protected and how rubble will leave the building.
Step 4
Give each tiler the same tile and preparation brief
Send approximate dimensions, photos, the tile product and size, the layout you want and whether you will supply tiles. Ask the tiler to confirm measurements, quantities and spare tiles before you order. Agree grout colour, edge trims and the position of prominent cuts before installation.
Compare removal, disposal, surface preparation, waterproofing where relevant, tile supply, laying, grout, sealant and clean-up. A rate per square metre alone may leave preparation and detailed cuts unresolved. Ask whether the price is fixed or an estimate, what remains unknown until tiles are removed, and how extra work will be priced and approved.
Step 5
Agree the handover and when you can use the area
Before work starts, ask when you can walk on the floor, use the shower or clean the tiles. Have the tiler explain the waiting periods for the products used, and plan around losing access to your only bathroom if that applies.
At handover, walk through the finish together: layout, cuts, trims, grout and any agreed drainage work. Record concerns in writing. Keep the accepted quote, approved changes, invoice, tile details, care instructions and any waterproofing records agreed for your project. Ask about spare tiles and who to contact if a problem appears.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- NSW Government: wall and floor tiling work
Residential licence threshold and the tiling category's waterproofing and surface-repair boundaries.
- Service NSW: check a builder or tradesperson licence
Official licence-check entry point for the contracting business.
- NSW Government: strata renovation rules
Approval routes for hard flooring and renovations involving waterproofing, plus documentation considerations.
- NSW Government: getting quotes for contractors
Guidance on consistent briefs, specified materials and agreeing changes to scope.
