Kitchen Tilers in Palmerston North

Kitchen tiling costs in New Zealand include splashback tiling at $60 to $150 per square metre for labour (a standard splashback is 2 to 4 square metres, costing $200 to $600 for labour). Kitchen floor tiling costs $60 to $120 per square metre for labour. Full kitchen wall tiling costs $70 to $150 per square metre. Tiles cost $30 to $200 per square metre depending on material. A typical kitchen splashback (tiles, adhesive, grout, and labour) costs $500 to $2,000 total.

Kitchen splashbacks protect the wall behind the cooktop and sink from grease, water, and food splatters. Popular splashback options in New Zealand include subway tiles (classic rectangular tiles, typically 75x150mm or 100x200mm), glass tiles (reflective and easy to clean), large-format porcelain tiles (minimal grout joints), mosaic tiles (decorative and textured), and natural stone (marble, granite — premium look). The splashback should extend at least 450mm above the benchtop and ideally the full width of the cooktop area.

Kitchen floor tiles must be durable, easy to clean, and slip-resistant. Porcelain tiles are the best choice — they are extremely hard, have low water absorption, and are available in realistic timber, stone, and concrete looks. Popular sizes for kitchen floors are 300x600mm and 600x600mm. Large-format tiles (600x600mm or larger) create a seamless modern look with fewer grout joints. For open-plan kitchen and living areas, the same floor tile can run continuously for a unified look.

In some kitchen renovations, it is possible to tile over existing tiles to save on demolition and disposal costs. The existing tiles must be firmly adhered, clean, and in good condition. A bonding primer is applied before tiling. However, tiling over tiles raises the floor height and adds weight, which may affect door clearances and transitions to other rooms. In most full kitchen renovations, removing old tiles and starting fresh produces a better result.