How to Start a Tiling Business A Step-by-Step Guide

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A SLAB Guide by Ian Reynolds

Introduction

Tiling is a solid trade good money, always in demand, and if you do it right, you’ll never be short of work. But before you start charging people for your skills, you need to actually know what you’re doing. I’m Ian, a former Wall and Floor Tiling lecturer at Leeds College of Building, and this is SLAB’s official guide to getting your tiling business off the ground the right way.

This guide will take you through everything getting trained, setting up your business, finding work, and making sure you’re not making rookie mistakes. No fluff, just straight-up advice from someone who’s been in the trade for years.

Getting Qualified: Do You Need It?

Technically, you don’t need formal qualifications to be a tiler, but if you want to look professional and charge proper rates, getting some training is a smart move. In the UK, here are your best options:

• College Courses – Many colleges offer Level 1 and Level 2 Diplomas in Wall and Floor Tiling. These teach you the basics and give you something official to show clients.

• Apprenticeships – The best way to learn is hands-on, working under a pro tiler. You’ll get paid (not much at first) while you train.

• Online Courses – Some online training programs offer tiling certifications. These won’t give you real-world practice but can help you understand techniques and materials.

As a former lecturer at Leeds College of Building, I’ve trained plenty of tilers, and I can tell you that the ones who put the effort into learning properly always end up running better businesses. If you’re already confident in tiling, you might be able to skip formal training—but if you’re new, getting trained is a no-brainer.

Getting Hands-On Experience

Nobody wants to pay a tiler who’s learning on the job. Before you start charging for your services, make sure you’ve actually got the skills.

Here’s how to get real experience:

• Work for a Pro – Even if you just help out with mixing adhesive and laying out tiles, you’ll pick up skills fast.

• Practice on Your Own – Got a kitchen backsplash or bathroom that needs redoing? Start there. Offer to do small jobs for family or friends at a discount while you build confidence.

• Learn Different Materials – Ceramic, porcelain, mosaic, natural stone every tile type has its quirks. Get comfortable working with all of them.

Where to Get Practice Materials

If you’re just starting out, head down to your local tile shop or builders’ merchant they’ll have everything you need. You can grab some tiles, adhesive, and grout, plus the basic tools you’ll need to get started.

For practice, a sheet of plasterboard or plywood is ideal because they come in larger sizes, allowing you to test out different tile layouts and techniques before working on actual walls or floors.

And if you ever get stuck, don’t worry—we’re here to help. Get in touch with us at SLAB, and we’ll be happy to give you some extra advice to make sure you’re on the right track.