Almost everyone asks how long a bathroom retile takes. The honest answer is that it depends. A small ensuite with simple tiles is a different job from a large bathroom with a bench, niches and large-format tiles. This guide walks through the stages so you know what to expect, without promising a fixed number of days.

Stage 1: Planning

Before any work begins, you need to choose the tiles, confirm the layout and agree the details. This includes the size and position of niches, the type of drain and where the tiles will start and finish. Tiles may need to be ordered, and some take a while to arrive, so choose early.

Stage 2: Demolition

If the bathroom is being retiled, the old tiles are removed. This can be noisy and dusty. Depending on the condition of the walls and floor, the tiles may come off easily or may take more work, particularly if they were fixed with strong adhesive.

Once the tiles are off, we see what is underneath. If there is damage, such as soft plasterboard or a failed screed, it needs repair before tiling. This is the biggest cause of timeline changes, because you cannot know what is behind the tiles until you look.

Stage 3: Preparation

The walls and floor need to be flat, clean and sound. The floor may need a new screed to create falls to the drain. Walls may need patching. A screed has to cure before the next stage.

Stage 4: Waterproofing

The waterproofing membrane is applied in coats, with set times in between, and then it needs to cure. This is the part you cannot rush. The cure time depends on the product and the conditions, so we follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some jobs include a flood test to check the membrane holds.

Stage 5: Tiling

Floors and walls are tiled. Large-format tiles take more care than small ones, and patterns such as herringbone take longer than a straight layout. Niches, benches and feature walls add time. Tiles need to set before they can be grouted.

Stage 6: Grouting and sealing

Once the adhesive has set, the tiles are grouted. After the grout has dried, flexible sealant is applied in corners. Grout and sealant both need time before the shower is used. Your tiler will tell you how long to wait for the products on your job.

Stage 7: Fit-off

Taps, shower screens, vanities and accessories are then installed. If these are done by other trades, their schedule affects the finish date.

What affects the timeline

  • The size of the bathroom
  • The type and size of tile
  • The pattern and layout
  • The condition of the walls and floor
  • The waterproofing cure time
  • Weather and humidity
  • Waiting for other trades
  • Late delivery of tiles

How to keep a job on track

  • Choose and order tiles early
  • Confirm details such as niches and drains before work starts
  • Keep access clear for the tradespeople
  • Be ready for surprises when old tiles come off
  • Check the schedule with the other trades

Why we do not give a fixed number

Every bathroom is different, and the cure times are set by the products used, not by the person doing the work. Promising a fixed number of days before seeing the room would mean guessing. When you contact us, we talk through the stages and the likely timing for your project once we know what is involved.

Living without a bathroom

During the job, you may not be able to use the bathroom. Plan for another bathroom or a temporary arrangement. Ask your tiler when the bathroom can be used again, once the grout and sealant have cured.

A word on small jobs

Not every bathroom job is a full strip-out. Retiling a shower only, replacing a section of floor or fixing a small leak is a much smaller job than a full renovation. Even so, if water has been getting behind the tiles, the work can grow once the tiles come off. We tell you what we find as soon as we find it.

Staging the work around your household

If you have only one bathroom, it can help to plan the job around a time when you have somewhere else to shower. Some households choose a school holiday or a time when they are away. Tell us what works for you and we will talk through how the stages can fit around it.

Communicating along the way

A good job has clear check-ins. You should know when the tiles are due, when the waterproofing goes on and when the bathroom can be used again. If something changes, you should hear about it early.

Talk to us

If you are planning a bathroom retile, call Brisbane Wall and Floor Tiling on 0406 482 001 or send an enquiry. We work across Brisbane, Logan, the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Redland Bay.

See our Bathroom Tiling page, or browse all services. We work in Daisy Hill, Brisbane CBD, Ipswich, Redland Bay and across the Gold Coast. Call 0406 482 001 or send an enquiry.