Tile Grout price is one of the smallest line items on a tiling quote, and one of the easiest to get wrong. A 5kg bag runs about £15, but the real grouting cost comes from labour, room type, and grout choice, not the tub itself. Nationally, regrouting averages £15 per m², a full bathroom around £380, and a shower enclosure closer to £160. This guide breaks down what drives grouting cost by room, by grout type, and by job, so you can budget accurately before a tiler even picks up a float.
What Is the Average Grout Cost in the UK?
The average grout cost sits at roughly £15 per m² once labour is included. That figure moves depending on the tile size, the width of the joint, and whether you're regrouting an existing bathroom or grouting a fresh install.
| Item | Average UK Cost |
|---|---|
| Grouting cost per m² | £15 |
| Standard 5kg grout bag | £12–£20 |
| Premium coloured grout (3kg) | £14.99–£20 |
| Labour, per day | £280–£320 |
| Full bathroom regrout | £380 |
| Shower enclosure regrout | £160 |
Average Grouting Cost Per m²
Most homeowners pay £15 per m² for standard grouting work, materials and labour combined. Wall tiles with narrow joints usually sit at the lower end. Floor tiles, which need wider, heavier-duty grout, often add a small premium on top.
Typical Labour Charges
Tilers rarely quote by the hour for grouting alone. Day rates are more common.
| Region | Typical Day Rate |
|---|---|
| London & South East | £280–£380 |
| Midlands & North | £220–£300 |
| Scotland & Wales | £200–£280 |
Expect London prices to run 20–30% above the national average, largely down to travel time, parking, and general overheads.
Material Costs for Tile Grout
- Standard cement grout: £2–£4/kg
- Premium coloured grout: £4–£7/kg
- Epoxy grout: £8–£15/kg
- Anti-mould additive: £5–£10 extra per job
- Grout sealant: £10–£25 per bottle
Grouting Cost by Room
Grouting cost by room varies more than most people expect. A shower costs less to regrout than a full bathroom simply because there's less surface area, but it often needs pricier waterproof grout.
| Room | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom (full) | £380 |
| Kitchen splashback | £15–£120 |
| Shower enclosure | £160 |
| Floor (per m²) | £15–£25 |
| Wall (per m²) | £12–£20 |
Bathroom Grouting Cost
A full bathroom, walls and floor, averages £380 to regrout. That figure covers a standard-sized room with straightforward access. Add a shower enclosure or an awkward layout with a window reveal, and the price climbs.
Kitchen Grouting Cost
Kitchen splashback grouting is often the cheapest single job on this list, sometimes as little as £15 for a small strip behind a hob. A full kitchen floor regrout costs closer to £15–£25 per m², since kitchen floors typically use finely sanded grout built to handle foot traffic.
Shower Regrouting Cost
Shower regrouting averages £160. Most tilers replace the silicone at the shower edges and base at the same time, which adds £50–£100 but matters for waterproofing. Skip that step and you're likely regrouting again within a year.
Floor Tile Grouting Cost
Floor grouting runs slightly above wall grouting per m², mainly because the joints are wider and the old grout takes longer to remove. Budget £15–£25 per m² depending on tile size and grout width.
Wall Tile Grouting Cost
Wall tiles, with narrower joints, are the fastest and cheapest surface to grout. Expect £12–£20 per m², assuming standard access and no scaffolding or awkward reaches.
Grout Types and Their Costs
Grout type has a bigger effect on price than most homeowners assume. Cement grout and epoxy grout aren't just different in cost, they behave completely differently under water.
| Grout Type | Cost per kg | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Cement-based | £2–£4 | Dry walls, general use |
| Epoxy | £8–£15 | Showers, wet rooms |
| Flexible | £4–£6 | Underfloor heating, movement zones |
| Waterproof | £5–£8 | Wet rooms, pool surrounds |
| Anti-mould | £4–£7 | Bathrooms prone to black mould |
Cement-Based Grout
The cheapest and easiest option. Pre-mixed cement grout needs no mixing and suits most standard wall applications. It's not the right call for anywhere that stays wet for long periods.
Epoxy Grout
Epoxy costs two to three times more than cement grout, but it resists water, stains, and chemicals far better. For showers and wet rooms, it's usually worth the extra spend.
Flexible Grout
Flexible grout absorbs the tiny movements that come from underfloor heating or timber subfloors. Skip it in these zones and cracking is only a matter of time.
Waterproof Grout
Waterproof grout sits between cement and epoxy on both price and performance. It's a common choice for wet rooms where full epoxy feels like overkill.
Anti-Mould Grout
Anti-mould grout contains a biocide that slows fungal growth in the joint itself. It costs slightly more than standard cement grout but saves regular re-grouting in bathrooms with poor ventilation.
How Much Does Regrouting Cost in the UK?
Regrouting cost UK-wide averages £15 per m², with a full bathroom at £380 and a shower at £160. Regrouting is almost always cheaper than a full retile, and it's usually the right call unless the tiles themselves are cracked or loose.
| Job | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Regrouting bathroom tiles | £380 |
| Regrouting shower tiles | £160 |
| Regrouting kitchen splashback | £15–£80 |
| Full floor regrouting | £15–£25/m² |
Regrouting Bathroom Tiles
A full bathroom regrout takes a tiler roughly a day, at an average day rate of £320. That covers grout removal, cleaning the joints, reapplying, and finishing.
Regrouting Shower Tiles
Shower regrouting is quicker, often half a day, which is why it costs less overall than a full bathroom job at £160.
Regrouting Kitchen Splashbacks
Splashbacks are small, so the job is fast. A single strip behind a hob or sink can cost as little as £15 in grout and an hour or two of labour.
Full Floor Regrouting
Floor regrouting scales with area. Removing old floor grout takes longer than wall grout, since it's typically wider and set deeper into the joint.
DIY vs Professional Grouting
DIY grouting saves on labour but carries real risk. Chipped tile edges and trapped moisture under the tiles are the two most common DIY mistakes.
DIY Costs
A DIY regrout mostly costs materials and tool hire.
- Grout: £15–£25 per bag
- Grout rake or multi-tool hire: £20–£40/day
- Sealant: £10–£25
- Safety gear (mask, goggles): £10–£15
Step 1: Remove old grout with a rake or oscillating multi-tool, to a depth of around 5mm. Step 2: Clean and dry the joints thoroughly. Step 3: Apply new grout with a float, pressing firmly to avoid air pockets. Step 4: Wipe excess grout before it sets, then leave to cure.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional
- Consistent finish across the whole surface
- Faster job, often a single day
- Lower risk of chipped or cracked tiles
- Correct grout choice for wet areas
- Silicone and grout replaced together where needed
When DIY Isn't Recommended
- Large-format or natural stone tiles
- Shower enclosures with glass panels
- Underfloor heating zones needing flexible grout
- Signs of existing water damage or hollow tiles
- Colour-matching a partial repair to old grout
Why Elliren Tiles Is Best for Grouting
Elliren Tiles stocks a genuinely wide grout range, from budget cement-based tubs through to specialist epoxy and heavy-duty floor grout, so the material choice matches the job rather than whatever happens to be on the shelf. Coloured Kerakoll Fugabella grout starts around £14.99 for 3kg, while heavier-duty UltraTile ProPave floor grout runs up to £69.99 for 15kg, covering everything from a bathroom splashback to an outdoor patio. Paired with matching tile adhesive and tile matting, it's a straightforward way to source an entire grouting job from one supplier rather than juggling three different merchants.
FAQs
How much does grout cost per m² in the UK?
Around £15 per m², including materials and labour, though epoxy and specialist floor grout push that higher.
Is regrouting cheaper than retiling?
Yes, in almost every case. Regrouting a bathroom averages £380 against £800–£1,200 for a full retile.
How long does grout take to cure?
Most grout sets within 24 hours, though full cure for heavy use, like a daily shower, can take up to a week.
Can I mix grout colours to match old tiles?
Not exactly. Even the same product number can shade slightly differently between batches, so partial repairs rarely match perfectly.
Does grout type affect the price much?
Considerably. Epoxy can cost three times more per kg than standard cement grout, though it lasts far longer in wet areas.
Need help choosing tiles?
Speak to our team for recommendations, stock checks, and project quotes.
