
Tiler Best Practices – The Checklist We Follow
January 22, 2025
The Cost of Tiling in Auckland: What Affects the Price?
May 1, 2025Choosing a tiler isn’t just about finding someone who can stick tiles to a wall. In Auckland, where building regulations around waterproofing and wet areas are strict, picking the right tiler can save you a lot of stress — and a lot of money — down the line.
There’s more involved than just making the job look good. A proper Auckland tiler knows the local council consent requirements, particularly around bathroom waterproofing, and can help make sure your project stays above board. If tiling and waterproofing work doesn’t meet government guidelines, you could be looking at fines, delays, and expensive rework later.
Check Their Experience with Compliance
One of the first things you want to know is whether the tiler has experience not just with laying tiles, but with building code compliance. In Auckland, council inspections for new bathrooms or major renovations are common, and tiling — particularly waterproofing — is a major checkpoint. Good tilers work to E3 Building Code standards and know what’s needed to pass inspections the first time around.
Even if you don’t need a formal consent for your project, you want a tradesperson who treats it like they do — making sure waterproofing systems are applied properly, certified if needed, and tiled over with the right methods. It’s not worth cutting corners here. A cheap job now could mean a full rip-out and redo later if things go wrong.
Look at Reviews and Past Work
Word of mouth still matters a lot when hiring a tradesperson in Auckland. A good tiler should have real customer reviews you can check, ideally from homeowners or builders in suburbs like Takapuna, Glenfield, or Birkenhead or somewhere near you. Photos of past projects — like full bathroom tiling, walk-in showers, or even kitchen splashbacks — give you a good feel for their finish and attention to detail.
You can see some our Auckland tiling services and client reviews here.
Don’t Be Guided by Price Alone
The cheapest quote often isn’t the best value. Experienced tilers price fairly for doing the job properly — including preparing the surface, waterproofing, and using quality adhesives and grout. You might save a few dollars upfront with a low quote, but if tiles start lifting, grout cracks, or waterproofing fails, the repair costs will be far higher than doing it right the first time.
Make Sure You’re Covered
It’s reasonable to ask if a tiler offers a workmanship guarantee. Even on smaller jobs, you want to know that if something goes wrong due to installation error, it’ll be fixed without a fight. A tiler who’s confident in their work will have no problem standing behind it.
Choosing the right tiler comes down to more than just how good the finished job looks. It’s about workmanship you can trust, experience with Auckland’s compliance standards, and a proper approach to getting the job done right the first time.
If you want advice or a quote from a team that understands how to get tiling and waterproofing right in Auckland homes, get in touch with Ray Tiling — we’re proud to be the highest reviewed tilers in the region.