How do you make a bathroom tile job actually waterproof?
We treat waterproofing as a separate trade step before any tile goes on. The substrate is cleaned and primed, a flexible waterproof membrane is rolled or trowelled into wet areas (shower base, lower walls and floor), and we let it cure properly before tiling. Showers get extra layers in the corners and around drains. The waterproofing is what protects your home from leaks years down the track, so it isn't somewhere we cut time.
Do I need to choose tiles before you'll quote?
It helps but it isn't required. We're happy to come and look at the bathroom first, talk through what's possible — wall heights, niches, shower screens, edge profiles — and quote a labour-only figure. From there you can pick tiles to a budget you've already seen. We can also point you at suppliers we work with regularly if you'd rather go shopping after the visit.
Will you remove and dispose of the old tiles?
Yes. Demolition and rubbish removal are part of the bathroom tiling scope when we quote. We strip back to a clean substrate, address any underlying issues we find (rotted timber, cracked screed, failed waterproofing) and discuss them with you before tiling starts. The old tiles and any debris go to a transfer station — that cost is included in the itemised quote.
How long does a bathroom tile job take?
A typical full bathroom retile takes one to two weeks of trade time on site, depending on size and complexity. Day one is strip-out. We then waterproof and let it cure. Walls go on first, then floor, then grout and silicone. The bathroom is usually unusable for the full window — we'll plan a sequence with you in advance if it's the only bathroom in the home.
Can you fit a niche or feature wall during the retile?
Yes — niches, feature walls, mosaic strips and edge profiles are common requests. A niche needs to be planned in before the wall is built or after careful measurement of the existing studwork; we mark it up at the start. Feature walls work well behind a vanity or in the shower. We're happy to talk through layout options when we're on site for the quote.
Do you handle silicone, grout colour and edge trims?
All three are part of the finish. We discuss grout colour during the quote — light versus dark changes the look of the room significantly. Edge trims (Schluter or similar) versus mitred edges are a budget and aesthetic call. Silicone is colour-matched to the grout where possible. None of these are afterthoughts — they're what you see every day.
