Set out the whole job before choosing a tiler
In short
Choose a tiler who services your Gold Coast suburb and can show comparable work. Have leaks, pooling water or an unknown floor inspected before accepting a price. Check the contracting business's Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence and the scope for the work, then compare written quotes that name who handles preparation, waterproofing and tiling. If the property is in a body corporate scheme, settle approvals and building access before booking.
Step 1
Explain how the area is used and what needs fixing
Provide your suburb, approximate measurements and photos of the whole area, edges and any damage. Describe whether you want a new finish or need a leak or drainage problem resolved. Ask for an inspection when the condition beneath existing tiles is unknown.
Start with the problem beneath the finish
| Area to be tiled | What to ask the tiler to assess |
|---|---|
| Apartment bathroom | Existing waterproofing, floor condition and how the work could affect neighbouring units or shared building systems. |
| Balcony with water pooling | Drainage and waterproofing, including whether another contractor or the body corporate needs to address part of the problem. |
| Indoor floor or splashback | Surface preparation, finished height, tile size and cuts around doors, cupboards or fixtures. |
Step 2
Check the licence against the actual work
Ask for the contracting business's QBCC licence number. Check its current status, licence classes, conditions and history in the QBCC register, and match the licence holder to your quote. Ask QBCC if you are unsure whether the proposed work requires a licence or fits the business's scope.
QBCC's wall and floor tiling class includes applying waterproofing for wall and floor tiling. Confirm who will do that work and whether any wider repair needs another licence class. Ask to see completed jobs using a similar tile material and layout, and request relevant insurance details.
Step 3
Resolve body corporate and building requirements
In a body corporate scheme, check the by-laws and ask whether written approval or conditions apply, especially for changes involving common property or shared building systems. Explain any balcony or wet-area damage before commissioning repairs. Confirm loading access, lift use, work hours and protection of shared areas with the building manager.
The City of Gold Coast says minor repairs or maintenance that do not affect structural or fire safety may not need building approval. If the tiling is part of a wider renovation or repair, ask a private building certifier or the City's Building Certification Group what approvals the full scope needs.
Step 4
Ask each tiler to price the same scope
Specify the tiles, layout, grout and trims, and who supplies each material. Get written quotes covering removal, disposal, floor preparation, waterproofing where needed, installation and clean-up. A tile-laying rate alone will not show the cost of the whole job.
Ask which conditions can only be assessed after removal and how extra work will be priced and approved. Compare exclusions, inspection or certification costs, payment terms and proposed dates. Confirm who coordinates any other contractors so the work can proceed in the right order.
Step 5
Agree the checks before tiles cover the work
For waterproofing, agree what certificates, records and any inspections you will receive before the area is tiled. Ask when the floor or shower can be used and which cleaning products suit the tiles and grout.
At handover, inspect the agreed finish together and record concerns in writing. Keep the accepted quote, approved changes, invoices and waterproofing records. If you suspect defective work, photograph it and contact the contractor promptly; stop work that could make the problem worse.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- QBCC: wall and floor tiling
Licence scope includes waterproofing for wall and floor tiling.
- QBCC: apartment renovations and avoiding costly mistakes
Waterproofing and balcony drainage risks, body corporate checks, licence verification, handover records and responding to defects.
- City of Gold Coast: do your building works need approval?
Minor repair and maintenance approval guidance and advice from a private certifier or the City's Building Certification Group.
- QBCC: seeking and comparing quotes
Consistent scope, exclusions, materials, certification costs, payment terms, timing and contractor history.
