The Pros And Cons Of Installing Bathroom Tiles Yourself

August 31, 2023

If you are planning to renovate your bathroom, a key feature is likely to be some attractive new tiles for the walls or flooring. Tiles not only take up a lot of visual space, but they also provide an essential layer of moisture resistance and protection against damp. Therefore it’s important that they are correctly installed. 

However, installing a new bathroom does not come cheap. Maybe one way to save on costs that you have considered is fitting the new tiles yourself rather than hiring a professional installer. This is a move that requires some careful consideration to ensure that you avoid any mistakes that would seriously dent your budget. 

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of DIY bathroom tile installation. 

Pros of DIY tile installation

Cost savings

The most obvious factor is that you won’t have to pay for the labour of a professional tiler. It is worth getting a few free quotes for the work involved so that you have a definite saving to factor into your budget, and a figure that you can use to balance out other expenses or potential savings. 

The opportunity to learn a new skill

If you do not have previous experience of fitting tiles, you may relish the opportunity to learn a new skill that will come in useful in the future. It is now easy to find DIY guides on video platforms such as YouTube, where you can watch a step by step demonstration. This is often easier than trying to follow a set of written instructions. 

Work at a time that suits you

A bathroom renovation is a major disruption to the household, and if you carry out the work yourself you will have more flexibility over the schedule. You may want to work in shorter stages for example, so that the bathroom remains operational throughout the whole process.

Creative control

If you have a particular design in mind, you will be able to complete the work exactly as you want it to look, rather than rely on the interpretation of a third party. This can increase your enjoyment and satisfaction in the project. 

Cons of DIY tile installations

Increased margin of error

Unless you have a lot of previous experience, you may make mistakes that are difficult to correct and could spoil the look of your bathroom. Furthermore, incorrect installation can increase the risk of damage to the tiles and walls. 

Cost of purchasing the tools

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of purchasing the necessary tools. For example, you are likely to need to cut some of the tiles to fit around the sanitaryware and at the edges and corners of the room. Without the correct tools, this can result in breakages which will push up the final cost of the project.

Time commitment

Depending on the scale and complexity of the project, installing tiles can be very time consuming. If you already have a busy schedule then hiring a professional will ensure that the work is completed to an agreed timescale and an acceptable standard.

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