Step 1: Check and prepare the base
The base should be clean, sound, dry and flat. Remove dust, grease and loose material, fill holes, grind high spots and check flatness with a long straight edge. Wet rooms need waterproofing before tiling. A poor base is the main cause of hollow, cracked and loose tiles.
Step 2: Plan the layout
Find the centre of the room and lay tiles dry from the centre or from the most visible line so that cut tiles at the walls are equal and not thin slivers. Check door positions and transitions. A dry layout takes a few minutes and avoids expensive mistakes. See tile size guide for choosing the size.
Step 3: Choose and mix the adhesive
Use an adhesive suited to the tile, the base and the place, and mix it as directed so that it has no lumps. Porcelain, large tiles and exteriors need improved or flexible adhesives. See tile adhesive and bond.
Step 4: Lay the tiles
Spread adhesive over a small area, comb it in one direction, press each tile in with a slight twist, check level and alignment and use spacers for even joints. Back-butter large tiles for full coverage. Lift one now and then to check that the back is fully covered. See tile spacers.
Step 5: Cut and fit edges
Measure each cut twice, cut with a tile cutter or wet saw and smooth the edges. Use trims on exposed edges and external corners. Leave a small gap at walls for movement, and fill it with flexible sealant, not grout.
Step 6: Grout and clean
Remove spacers, let the adhesive set, then push grout into the joints with a rubber float, wipe off the excess with a damp sponge and polish off the haze once it dries. Use sealed or epoxy grout in wet zones. See tile grout.
Tile fixing cost per sq ft
Fixing, or laying, labour is commonly about PKR 40 to 100 per sq ft in indicative market ranges, depending on the tile size, the pattern, the access and the base. Large tiles, diagonal and herringbone patterns, stairs, high walls and small rooms with many cuts sit at the higher end. A plain floor with standard tiles sits at the lower end. Removing old tiles, levelling and waterproofing are usually extra.
Curing, checks and common mistakes
Keep traffic off until the adhesive cures and keep wet areas dry for the grout maker's time. Common mistakes are an uneven base, no layout plan, wrong adhesive, hollow spots, uneven joints and skipped waterproofing. Agree the scope in writing, including preparation and wastage, before work starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare a clean, flat, dry base, plan the layout from the centre, spread and comb the right adhesive, set each tile with spacers and check the level, cut the edges, then grout and clean after the adhesive cures. Use trims at edges and flexible sealant at movement joints.
Laying labour is commonly about PKR 40 to 100 per sq ft in indicative market ranges, depending on the tile size, pattern, access and the state of the base. Removal of old tiles, levelling and waterproofing are usually extra. Confirm the rate in a written quote.
A careful person can tile a small, flat floor or wall with basic tools. Large tiles, wet rooms, stairs and exteriors are easier with an experienced fitter, because base preparation and waterproofing are unforgiving. Do a dry layout first in any case. Measure carefully and confirm sizes with the supplier before ordering.
A small room can be tiled in a day or two once the base is ready, with grouting the next day. Curing, waterproofing and levelling add time. Large formats and patterns take longer. Allow extra time for the adhesive to cure before traffic.
Usually poor adhesive coverage, a dusty or damp base, the wrong adhesive, missing movement joints or movement in the slab. Back-buttering large tiles, preparing the base and using a suitable adhesive prevent most failures. If in doubt, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise.
Send the room size, the tile and a photo on WhatsApp. We confirm what we can supply and reply with a written rate that lists the tile, boxes with wastage, adhesive and grout so you can compare quotes on the same scope. Ask for the specification in writing so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
Send the room size, the tile you have or prefer and a photo of the space on WhatsApp. We confirm what we can supply and reply with a written rate that lists the tile, the boxes needed with wastage and the adhesive and grout, so you can compare quotes on the same scope.