A good tiling quote includes:
- your business and customer details, a quote number, the date and how long it's valid
- a description of the work, area by area
- a price split into labour, materials and extras, with VAT shown if you're registered
- who supplies the tiles
- what's excluded
- your payment terms
Clear exclusions and a validity date are what protect you if the job changes.
A quote is often the first piece of your work a customer sees. A clear one wins the job and heads off arguments later. A vague one invites both. Here's what to put in.
Quote or estimate?
A quote is a fixed price for the work described. An estimate is your best guess and can change. Customers prefer quotes. If you can't see what's under the old tiles, give a fixed quote for the work you can see and say how anything you find will be priced, for example "making good walls after removal: £X per m² or at day rate if needed".
The sections every tiling quote needs
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Your details | Business name, phone, email, address. Your VAT number if you're registered. |
| Customer and job | Customer name and the address of the job |
| Reference and dates | Quote number, date issued, how long it's valid (30 days is common) |
| Scope of work | Each area: walls or floor, m², tile size and layout, prep, tanking, trims, sealing |
| Price | Labour, materials and extras as separate lines. Show VAT if you charge it. |
| Tiles | Who supplies them. If the customer does, who pays if they run short or arrive damaged. |
| Exclusions | What isn't included: plumbing, electrics, plastering, decorating, skip hire, unforeseen repairs |
| Timing | Estimated start date and how many days the job will take |
| Payment terms | Deposit (if any), when the balance is due, how to pay |
| Guarantee | What you guarantee and for how long, e.g. workmanship for 12 months |
Example tiling quote layout
Copy this layout and swap in your own details and prices:
QUOTATION Q-1042
Issued 20 October 2026 · Valid for 30 days
Your Tiling Ltd · 01234 567890 · hello@yourtiling.co.uk
For: Customer name, job address
Work: Main bathroom. Tile walls full height (about 20 m²) and floor (5 m²) in customer-supplied 300×600 mm porcelain, straight lay. Tank the bath and shower area. Fit chrome trims to external corners and seal around the bath with silicone.
Tiling labour, walls and floor: £…
Tanking, bath and shower area: £…
Adhesive, grout, primer, trims, silicone: £…
Subtotal £… · VAT 20% £… · Total £…
Not included: removing the existing suite, plumbing, electrics, plastering, decorating. Any repairs found after removing the old tiles will be agreed with you before the work is done.
Payment: balance due on completion by bank transfer. Guarantee: workmanship guaranteed for 12 months.
VAT on tiling quotes
You must register for VAT once your taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in a rolling 12 months (GOV.UK). If you're registered, show VAT clearly. Most homeowners compare totals including VAT. If you're not registered, don't add VAT. Saying "no VAT charged" on the quote can be a selling point.
Cancellation rights for jobs agreed at the customer's home
If a homeowner agrees the job with you in their home, or away from your business premises, they normally have a 14-day right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. You have to tell them about it in writing. If they want you to start within the 14 days, get their request in writing. Check the regulations or get advice for your own situation.
Tips for quotes that win work
- Send it quickly. The first clear quote a customer receives has a real advantage.
- Show the breakdown. Separate lines show what each part costs and make it harder for the customer to compare on total price alone.
- Make it easy to accept. A button or a single reply beats asking the customer to sign and post something back.
- Follow up after a few days if you haven't heard back.
Sources
- GOV.UK: VAT registration thresholds · £90,000 registration threshold
- The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 · cancellation rights for contracts agreed away from your business premises
Prices change. Figures were checked on 20 October 2026; always check current costs and your own figures before quoting.