Step-by-step guide
The full method, with a worked example and what to include in your costs.
Read the day-rate guide →What you need to earn
Days you can bill
How much you lay
Total you need to bill a year–
Days you can bill–
Your day rate–
Hourly equivalent–
Per m² on walls–
Per m² on floors–
This turnover is over the £90,000 VAT registration threshold. You would need to register for VAT and add it to your prices.
Example starting values. 55p a mile is HMRC's simplified mileage rate for the first 10,000 business miles from 6 April 2026; use your real vehicle costs if they are higher. UK tilers typically charge £200–£350 a day (Checkatrade, 2026). This is a guide, not tax advice.
01
HOW IT WORKS
Day rate = what you need ÷ the days you can bill
Add the income you want to your yearly business costs, then divide by the days you can actually bill. Start from 260 weekdays and take off holidays, quoting and admin days, and time lost to sickness, weather and gaps between jobs. Most self-employed tilers end up with around 200 billable days. Dividing the day rate by how much you lay gives a per m² rate. Checkatrade's typical output is 10–15 m² a day on walls and 8–12 m² on floors.
Compare with the going rate
Per m², day and hourly rates across the UK, by region and tile type.
UK tiling labour rates →Price a job
Turn your rates into a labour price for walls, floors and extras.
Labour cost calculator →Use your rates on every real quote.
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