5 tiling mistakes — the cost of repair exceeds the savings

Tiling looks simple — place, glue, grout. And that is exactly why installation errors are so frequent (and why their repairs are the most expensive). ## 5 mistakes that cost the most 1. Wrong mortar/adhesive for the substrate — flexible adhesive on underfloor heating, standard on drywall. Result: detachment after the first heating season. Repair: removing the entire floor. 2. No expansion joints on large surfaces — no gap at walls and thresholds. Result: tiles "popping" due to substrate movement. 3. Grouting by eye instead of using spacers and a spirit level — every line slightly crooked, resulting in a clumsy appearance. 4. Starting from the wrong place — beginning from a visible corner instead of the central axis. Effect: having to cut 2 cm slivers of tile at the door. 5. Skipping waterproofing in the shower — the most expensive mistake: damp substrate, mold, and a complete bathroom renovation. ## How much does repair vs. installation cost - Good tiler: £12–£24/m² - Removing and relaying 8 m² after a mistake: 2–3× the price of the first installation + new tiles ## Practical tip When checking the work, verify: grout evenness (vertical/horizontal), lack of "hollow" sounds when tapped, and expansion gaps at the walls. Find a highly-rated tiler: post your job on LocalTrader.