What to Ask a Tiler Before You Hire

A bad tile job leaks, cracks, and costs more to fix than the original install. A good one lasts decades. The difference is rarely the tiles — it is the prep, the waterproofing, and the standards the tiler holds themselves to. These ten questions reveal which kind of tiler you are speaking to.

1. Do you hold a separate waterproofing licence?

In most Australian states a tiling licence does not automatically cover waterproofing — it is a separate ticket. Bathrooms, balconies and laundries must be waterproofed by someone licensed to do it, and the work signed off. Ask for both licence numbers. If the tiler shrugs or says “the builder handles that”, find out who exactly is signing the certificate before you pay a deposit.

2. Will the work comply with AS 3740 (waterproofing of wet areas)?

AS 3740 is the Australian Standard for waterproofing wet areas — fall to the drain, height up the wall, treatment around penetrations, the lot. A tiler who knows the standard by name and can explain the basics is a tiler who has been audited at least once. One who has never heard of it will leak in two years. Ask outright.

3. Is substrate preparation included in the quote?

Tiles are only as good as what is under them. Levelling compound, primer, removal of old tiles, repair of damaged sheeting — all takes time and materials. A cheap quote often omits prep, then bills it as a variation once they pull up the existing floor. Ask for prep to be itemised: levelling, priming, waterproofing, then tiling. Vague quotes blow out.

4. Are tiles supplied by you or labour only?

Some tilers mark up tiles 30 to 50 percent above retail; others charge labour only and let you buy direct. Both can work but you need to know which arrangement you are in. If they are supplying, ask for the brand, range, batch and price per square metre. If labour only, confirm what tools and consumables (adhesive, grout, edge trim) they bring versus what you supply.

5. How will you manage lippage on large format tiles?

Tiles 600mm and larger are unforgiving — even a 1mm height difference between tiles (lippage) shows up in raking light. Pros use levelling clip systems and check with a straight edge. Amateurs eyeball it. If you are laying 600x1200 or bigger, this question alone separates the careful from the careless. Ask what system they use.

6. Will you use cement-based or epoxy grout?

Cement grout is cheaper, easier, and stains. Epoxy is harder, waterproof, more expensive (and harder to apply) but lasts decades without yellowing. Kitchens, splashbacks and pool surrounds usually want epoxy. Bathroom floors can go either way. A good tiler explains the trade-off rather than defaulting to whatever is in their van.

7. How long before I can walk on it or use the shower?

Adhesive cures in 24 hours; grout in another 24; waterproof membrane needs its own cure window before tiling on top. Rushing any of these layers is the number one cause of cracked tiles and silicone failures. Ask for the schedule in days, not vibes. If they say “you can shower tonight” on a same-day reno, walk away.

8. What waste allowance is built into the tile order?

Standard waste is 10 percent for square layouts, 15 percent for diagonal or herringbone, and more for large format. A tiler who orders exactly the square metres of the room will run out and you will pay rush-shipping for matching batch. Confirm the waste percentage and who keeps the leftover tiles (you should — for repairs).

9. What workmanship warranty do you offer?

Tiles themselves are covered by the manufacturer. Workmanship — drummy tiles, lippage, grout cracks, bond failure — is on the tiler. Six years is the statutory minimum for major work in most states; a confident tiler will offer more in writing. Anything under two years says they expect their work to fail.

10. How do you handle calls and quote requests?

Tilers spend the day on their knees with a trowel — the phone is the last thing they want to answer. The good ones use an answering service or AI receptionist that books quotes, captures job details, and texts a confirmation. If a tiler does not return calls for three days during the quoting phase, expect worse responsiveness once you have paid the deposit.

Green flags

  • Holds both tiling and waterproofing licences
  • Mentions AS 3740 unprompted
  • Itemised prep, waterproofing, tiling in quote
  • Uses levelling clips on large format
  • Explains epoxy vs cement grout trade-offs
  • 6+ year workmanship warranty in writing
  • Returns quote calls inside 24 hours

Red flags

  • Cannot produce a waterproofing licence
  • Has not heard of AS 3740
  • Ridiculously cheap quote with no prep itemised
  • Eyeballs lippage on 600mm+ tiles
  • “You can shower tonight” on a same-day job
  • No warranty in writing
  • Three-day silence between calls

What to do if things go wrong

If tiles are drummy, lippage is visible, grout is cracking or the shower is leaking, raise it in writing immediately and give the tiler a chance to remediate. Document with photos and dates. If they refuse to fix it, escalate via your state building authority or Fair Trading. For waterproofing failure (a serious defect), you are usually within statutory warranty for six years for major defects — even if the tiler refuses to engage, you have legal standing. Keep every contract, invoice, and certificate.

Related reading

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