Running out of tiles halfway through a job is one of the most common renovation headaches. Reordering can take weeks, and a new batch may not match. A little planning avoids it.
Measure the area
Measure each floor and wall in metres and multiply length by height or width to get square metres. Break odd shapes into rectangles. Subtract large openings such as doors and windows, but not small ones.
Add a waste allowance
- Straight lay: add around 10%.
- Brick bond or offset: add 10 to 12%.
- Diagonal, herringbone or chevron: add 15% or more.
- Large formats and slabs: plan the layout piece by piece; waste depends on the cuts.
Rooms with many corners, niches and steps need more. Mosaics are sold by the sheet, so round up to whole sheets.
Order from one batch
Tiles are made in production runs, and shade and size can vary slightly between runs. Order everything you need at once so it comes from the same batch, and keep the batch number.
Keep a few spares
Store a box of spare tiles after the job. If a tile cracks in five years, you will have an exact match.
Let us check it
Send us your plans or measurements when you ask for a quote and we will calculate quantities with you, so you are not caught short mid-lay.
Frequently asked questions
Can I return leftover tiles?
It depends on the product and whether the boxes are unopened. We confirm the returns position on every quote; custom and indent orders usually cannot be returned.
Do I order skirting and trims separately?
Yes. Count metres of skirting, edge trims and step nosings separately from the square metres of tile.
Want a second opinion? Book a consultation and we will talk it through for your space.
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