Floor and wall tiling cost in Nigeria - labour, materials and room budgets

Floor and wall tiling in Nigeria is commonly quoted per square metre, but a useful estimate must identify the tile, the surface and the work included. Labour-only pricing is different from a package that includes tile supply and fixing materials. Preparation, removal of old tiles and bathroom work also need to be identified before you compare totals.

The main service assigned to this guide is Floor Tiling. Treat its published price panel as guidance for the displayed floor-tiling scope and location, not as a universal rate for walls, stairs or specialist finishes. Request separate prices for those areas and use a written quotation for your final budget.

1. Measure floors and walls separately

For a rectangular floor, multiply length by width. A room measuring 4 metres by 5 metres has a floor area of 20 m². Measure wall tiling by the width and tiled height of each wall, then agree how doors, windows, niches and other details are treated.

For example, a 2 m by 3 m bathroom has a 6 m² floor. Tiling its four walls to a height of 2 m gives a gross wall area of 2 × (2 + 3) × 2 = 20 m² before deductions and additional details. That is not the same quantity as the floor area. These dimensions are an illustration, not a standard bathroom specification.

Keep floor and wall quantities on separate lines because their tile products, preparation and installation rates may differ.

From square metres to cartons
Check the coverage printed on the selected tile carton. Carton prices cannot be compared fairly without knowing how many square metres each carton covers. Confirm tile size, shade or batch references and the agreed layout before ordering.

Cartons to purchase = measured area plus the agreed cutting/spare allowance, divided by coverage per carton, rounded up to whole cartons.

Suppose a room measures 20 m², the installer agrees an illustrative 10% allowance, and the chosen carton covers 1.44 m². The order area is 22 m²; 22 ÷ 1.44 is about 15.28, so the order is 16 cartons covering 23.04 m². The 10% is an example assumption, not a rule for every layout. Ask your installer to calculate the allowance for your tile and pattern.

2. What the tiling quotation should cover

Tiles: exact product, dimensions, quantity, price basis and delivery responsibilities.
Laying labour: setting out, cutting, fixing, grouting and the agreed finished areas.
Fixing materials: specified adhesive or other fixing system, grout, spacers, trims and joint details.
Surface preparation: removal, repairs, screeding or levelling and the extent of work allowed for.
Wet-area work: waterproofing and drainage-related work where required, with responsibility clearly assigned.
Access and handover: transport, upstairs handling, equipment, waste removal and cleanup.
Ask the contractor to list exclusions. A quote for laying tiles on a prepared floor is not the same as a complete bathroom renovation. Plumbing changes, sanitary fittings and door adjustments should be separately identified.

3. Why tile size, pattern and surface matter

Open rooms, small bathrooms, staircases and feature walls involve different amounts of setting out and cutting. Discuss large-format tiles, mosaics, diagonal patterns and borders before agreeing the labour rate. Confirm the installer has experience with the actual tile product and layout.

Ask for the existing floor or wall to be assessed before materials are ordered. Loose finishes, uneven surfaces and damp areas may require additional work. The proposed preparation and adhesive should follow the selected product’s instructions and suit the tile, substrate and exposure. MAPEI’s technical guidance likewise treats preparation as dependent on the surface and installation conditions.

4. Bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor areas

Ask the installer to specify tiles and fixing materials suitable for each location. For bathroom floors, balconies and other wet areas, confirm the proposed drainage, surface suitability and any waterproofing work before treating the tiling quote as complete.

For a kitchen wall, identify sockets, pipes, corners and the height of the tiled finish. For outdoor work, explain exposure and intended use. A decorative finish that suits an internal wall should not automatically be substituted on an outdoor floor.

Programme, payment and handover
Ask for a schedule that separates preparation, laying, setting, grouting and return to use. The time before walking on or wetting a tiled area depends on the chosen system and conditions; agree it using the relevant product instructions rather than assuming the room is ready as soon as laying ends.

Agree payment stages, responsibility for damaged or short deliveries and how variations will be approved. At handover, review the agreed layout, edges, joints and unfinished items with the installer. Request care guidance, product details and any agreed spare tiles for future repairs.

5. Request a floor or wall tiling quote

Share your state and town, separate floor and wall areas, tile dimensions or product details, photographs and whether old tiles need removing. Explore floor tiling, view wall tiling services or post your project on Skillland. Give each contractor the same brief and compare the complete scope.

Technical reference: MAPEI surface preparation guidance. Use the instructions for the actual products selected for your project; this reference does not establish Nigerian prices.

6. Frequently asked questions

How much does tiling cost per square metre in Nigeria?
Use the published price panel for the displayed service and location as an early estimate. Confirm whether it covers labour only or labour and materials. Ask for a separate quotation for wall work, specialist tiles, preparation and other items outside that scope.

How many cartons of tiles do I need for a room?
Measure the area, add the allowance agreed for cutting and spares, divide by the carton’s stated coverage, and round up to whole cartons. Floor and wall tiles may have different carton coverage, so calculate each product separately.

Does tiling labour include adhesive, grout and waterproofing?
Only when expressly included. Confirm the fixing materials, preparation and any waterproofing as separate scope items. A labour-only laying rate may exclude their supply and some of the associated work.