Choosing a tiler in Adelaide comes down to 6 checks: licence, insurance, references, quotes, warranty and communication. Get those right and you avoid almost every horror story, from lifting tiles to failed waterproofing and a tradesman who stops answering the phone.
This checklist walks you through each one in order, with the Adelaide-specific detail that actually matters. It sits within our guide to Choosing and Hiring a Tiler in Adelaide.
Why choosing the right tiler matters so much
Tiling is one of the few trades where a mistake is buried under the finished surface and only shows up months later. A wall that was not set out square, waterproofing that was rushed, or adhesive spread too thin will look fine on handover and then fail once water and time get to work. By then the fix means tearing out finished tiles and starting again, which costs far more than the original job.
That is why the selection process is worth slowing down for. The 6 checks below take an afternoon of phone calls and reading, and they save you from the operators who count on customers not asking.
The 6-point vetting checklist
1. Licence
In South Australia, any building work valued over $12,000 (labour plus materials combined) must be carried out by a licensed building work contractor. Tiling that forms part of a bathroom or larger renovation very often crosses that line once you add waterproofing, preparation and materials.
Ask for the licence number and check it yourself on the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) register, which is free and public. Do not just take a logo on a van as proof.
For jobs under $12,000 a contractor's licence is not strictly required, but you still want someone who works to Australian Standards, especially on waterproofing. Our guide on whether tilers need a licence in SA explains exactly where the line sits and how to check.
2. Insurance
A licence is not the same as insurance. You want the tiler to carry current public liability cover, commonly $5,000,000 or $10,000,000, in case something is damaged or someone is injured during the job.
Ask for a certificate of currency and check the dates. On larger domestic jobs over $12,000, licensed contractors are also required to arrange building indemnity insurance, which protects you if they cannot finish the work. If a tiler gets cagey when you ask about insurance, that tells you what you need to know. You can read more about why both matter on our licensed and insured tilers page.
3. References and reviews
Photos on a website are easy to borrow. What you want is proof of real, recent, local work.
- Ask for 2 or 3 references from jobs in the last 12 months, ideally in your part of Adelaide.
- Read Google reviews with an eye for how the tiler responds to any complaints, not just the star rating.
- Ask to see a finished job in person if it is a big renovation. A good tiler is usually happy to point you at one.
Consistent, specific, recent feedback beats a wall of 5-star reviews with no detail.
4. Quotes
Get at least 3 written quotes on the same scope so you are comparing like with like. A quick verbal number over the phone is not a quote.
A proper quote should itemise the work, not just give one lump sum. Watch for waterproofing being listed as a separate line, because that is a sign it has been costed properly rather than glossed over.
Here is what a healthy set of Adelaide quotes tends to look like for common jobs (indicative, supply and lay):
| Job | Indicative Adelaide range | | --- | --- | | Standard floor tiling | $45 to $75 per m2 | | Large-format floor or wall | $70 to $110 per m2 | | Waterproofing a wet area | $500 to $1,500 | | Full bathroom (floor and walls) | $2,500 to $6,500+ | | Splashback | $400 to $1,200 |
If one quote comes in far below the others, that is a warning, not a win. It usually means skipped preparation, thin waterproofing or an unlicensed operator. Learning how to read a tiling quote properly is the single best way to spot the difference between cheap and good value.
5. Warranty
A confident tiler stands behind their work in writing. Look for a workmanship guarantee, commonly 12 months or longer, which is separate from the manufacturer warranties on the tiles and adhesives.
Get the warranty terms in writing before work starts, and make sure you understand what is covered and for how long. If a tiler will not put a guarantee on paper, ask yourself why they are not willing to back their own work.
6. Communication
The way a tiler communicates during quoting is the clearest preview of how the job itself will run.
- Do they turn up when they say they will to measure up?
- Do they answer questions in plain language rather than brushing them off?
- Do they put things in writing, or only ever agree to things verbally?
A tiler who is responsive, clear and organised before you have paid a cent is far more likely to be the same once the job is underway. Poor communication at the quoting stage rarely improves later.
Red flags to walk away from
A few signals should end the conversation, no matter how good the price sounds:
- Cash only, with no written quote and no paperwork.
- Refuses to show a licence number or proof of insurance.
- A quote well below every other, often with waterproofing missing entirely.
- Pressure to decide today, or a large deposit demanded up front.
- No fixed address, no reviews, and a phone number that is the only way to reach them.
Any one of these on its own is a reason to be cautious. Two or more together, and you should keep looking.
Questions worth asking every tiler
Before you commit, a short list of direct questions separates the professionals from the chancers quickly. We have put together a full set in questions to ask a tiler, covering licence, waterproofing method, warranty and timeline. Asking them is not rude, and a good tradesman will respect that you did your homework.
Make the choice with confidence
The safest way to hire is to line up a few vetted, licensed, insured tilers on the same job and compare them properly. That is exactly what we help with.
Tell us about your project and we will connect you with trusted Adelaide tilers who tick every box on this checklist, so you can compare free quotes and choose with confidence. Get started here, and we will match you with local tilers who measure up.