Your Tiling Journey: What to Do, What to Avoid, and How to Get the Best Finish

Whether you're renovating a bathroom, updating your kitchen, or transforming an outdoor space, tiling is one of those finishing trades that can make or break the look of your home. Get it right and it looks incredible for decades. Get it wrong and it's expensive to fix.

Here's a straightforward guide from Andy's Tiling to help you start your tiling journey on the right foot.

What NOT to Do

Don't Buy Your Tiles Before Talking to Your Tiler

This is the number one mistake we see. Customers fall in love with a tile at the shop, buy it on the spot, and then discover it's the wrong size, the wrong finish, or simply not suitable for the area it's going in. Different tiles are made for different spaces — a polished porcelain tile that looks stunning in a showroom may be dangerously slippery on a wet bathroom floor.

Before you spend a cent on tiles, have a conversation with your tiler first.

Don't Forget the 20% Wastage Rule

When ordering tiles, always add at least 20% on top of your measured area. Tiles get cut, some crack during installation, patterns require offcuts, and you'll want spares for future repairs. Underordering is a costly mistake — tile batches change, and you may not be able to match your original tiles down the track.

Your tiler can help you calculate the exact amount you need, including wastage.

Never Skip Waterproofing in Wet Areas

This one is non-negotiable. Any wet area — bathrooms, showers, laundries — must be properly waterproofed before a single tile goes down. Waterproofing is not optional; it's required under Australian building standards. Skipping it or cutting corners will lead to water damage, mould, and structural issues that cost far more to fix than the waterproofing itself.

Andy can also offer waterproofing so everything is handled correctly from the ground up.

Don't Skip Getting Multiple Quotes

Tiling is a finishing trade. The quality of the finish is visible every single day — it's one of the first things people notice in a room. Because of this, it's worth taking your time and getting a couple of quotes so you understand what's involved, what's included, and what level of finish you can expect.

Don't just go with the cheapest option. Go with the tiler you trust to get it right. Wink, Wink…

Don't Let Your Tiles and Interior Design Work Against Each Other

This happens more than you'd think. A tile gets chosen by an interior designer or homeowner without consulting the tiler, and it ends up being unsuitable for the space — wrong slip rating for a wet area, too large for a small bathroom, or a finish that doesn't suit the room's use.

Make sure your interior designer and your tiler are communicating and on the same page before any tile is selected. It saves a lot of headaches later.

What TO Do

Call Andy's Tiling (Bellarine Tile Pro)

Seriously — the best first step you can take is picking up the phone and having a chat. A good tiler will walk you through the entire process before work even begins.

Work With Your Tiler From the Start

A good tiler will coordinate with you on every stage of the job — from the initial set out and layout, through to grout colour selection, tile quantities, pricing, timeframes, and final finishes. Nothing should come as a surprise. You should feel informed and confident at every step.

Buy Your Tiles After Talking to Your Tiler

Once you've spoken with Andy and know exactly what you need, you're free to buy your tiles from wherever you like. He'll give you the correct quantities including wastage, so you can walk into any tile shop — or shop online — with confidence.

Always Confirm Your Tile Type Before Purchasing

Before you buy, make sure the tile you've chosen is the right type for the area it's going in. Not sure? Send your tiler a photo or screenshot of the tile before you purchase. It takes two minutes and can save you a lot of money and hassle.

Andy is always happy to give a quick opinion before you commit to buying.

Final Thought

Tiling is a trade where preparation and communication make all the difference. The more organised you are going in, the smoother the job runs and the better the result. If you're starting a tiling project in Geelong or the Bellarine Peninsula, give Andy a call — a free, no-obligation quote is the best place to begin.

Andy's Tiling — quality work, honest advice, and a finish you'll be proud of. 0405429884