Tiling planned from substrate to final line.

A tile choice is only one part of the scope. Dimensions, substrate condition, whether waterproofing is involved, pattern, access and edge details also affect the work.

Yes, when both are included in the agreed job. The order depends on the room and the surfaces that meet, and in a wet area also depends on when the waterproofing has cured.

Any tile reference, approximate dimensions, photos and a note about what is being removed or retained will make the visit more useful.

A wet-area job needs a waterproof membrane installed and cured before tiling can start, which the splashback or a dry-area wall does not need. That curing time is part of the schedule, not an optional extra.

Where the tiles and substrate are still sound, yes. Renewing grout and silicone is a smaller job than retiling and can extend the life of an otherwise good wet area.

They need a flatter, more carefully prepared substrate than small tiles, since any unevenness shows more on a bigger tile. That preparation is confirmed before the tile format is finalised.

Where the existing tile is still available or a close match can be sourced, a small repair or replacement is possible. Where it cannot be matched, that is discussed before the work is confirmed.

That depends on the agreed scope. Tiles can be supplied by the homeowner or sourced as part of the job, and either way the format and quantity are confirmed against the measured area before work starts.

Wet area vs dry area

Bathroom and other wet-area tiling depends on a waterproof membrane being installed and fully cured underneath, which the Building Code's E3 wet-area requirements are built around. Splashback and dry-area tiling does not carry that step, which changes the timeline and sequencing.

Substrate condition

An uneven, damaged or previously tiled substrate needs levelling or preparation before new tiles can sit correctly. A sound, flat substrate needs far less work to get ready.

Tile size and format

Large-format tiles need a flatter substrate and different setting technique than small mosaic or subway tiles, which affects both material use and time on the tools.

Layout complexity

Feature walls, pattern tiling, niches and multiple internal or external corners add cutting and layout time compared with a straightforward rectangular area.

Connected trades

Where tiling meets painted walls, cabinetry or carpentry, the order those trades happen in and how cleanly they meet affects both the finish and the time needed to sequence the job.

Waterproofing comes before tiling, not alongside it

The Building Code's E3 internal moisture provisions require wet-area surfaces to be impervious and properly sealed. In practice that means the waterproof membrane goes down, is given time to cure, and is often checked before tiling starts, rather than being tiled over while still curing.

Older Auckland bathrooms

Many older Auckland bathrooms were tiled directly over substrates that would not meet a current wet-area waterproofing approach. A renovation that reuses the existing tiled area is a different scope to one that strips back to the substrate and reinstalls a proper membrane first.

Getting a comparable quote

Consumer NZ's guidance on renovation quotes is to get an itemised breakdown so it is clear what is included, since a tiling quote that does not separate substrate preparation, waterproofing and the tiling itself is harder to compare against another quote for the same room.

When a tile refresh is enough

Not every tired-looking wet area needs a full strip-out. Where the substrate and waterproofing are sound, renewing grout and silicone, or replacing a small number of damaged tiles, can refresh the room without disturbing a membrane that is still doing its job.