Floor Tilers in Christchurch

Floor tiling in New Zealand costs $60 to $130 per square metre for labour, depending on tile size and pattern. Standard-format tiles (300x300mm to 600x600mm) cost $60 to $100 per square metre for labour. Large-format tiles (600x1200mm and above) cost $80 to $130 per square metre as they require more skill and levelling. Tiles cost $30 to $200 per square metre for the product. A 30-square-metre tiled floor costs $2,700 to $6,000 for labour and materials combined.

The main floor tile types are porcelain (extremely hard, low porosity, suitable for all areas, available in polished, matte, and textured finishes), ceramic (softer than porcelain, more affordable, suitable for light-traffic areas), natural stone (marble, granite, travertine, schist — premium look, requires sealing), and terrazzo (composite material with stone chips, retro style making a comeback). For most residential floors in Christchurch, porcelain tiles offer the best combination of durability, low maintenance, and appearance.

Large-format tiles (600x600mm, 600x1200mm, and even 900x1800mm) are increasingly popular in New Zealand homes. They create a spacious, modern look with fewer grout lines. However, large tiles require a very flat subfloor — any unevenness shows as lippage (uneven tile edges). Professional floor levelling is often needed before large-format installation. Large tiles also require back-buttering (applying adhesive to both the floor and the tile) for proper adhesion. These factors make large-format tiling more expensive than standard sizes.

The subfloor must be flat, stable, and clean before tiling. Concrete floors may need grinding or levelling compound. Timber floors need a tile underlay board (such as James Hardie tile underlay) screwed over the timber to provide a stable, rigid surface. Tiling directly onto a flexible timber floor causes tiles to crack and grout to fail. Your tiler will assess the subfloor and advise on preparation needed. Levelling compound costs $10 to $25 per square metre. Tile underlay board costs $15 to $25 per square metre installed.