There is always a concern to how much tiles should be ordered. While the common industry standard is to include an extra 10% allowance for ‘wastage’, there are also other factors to be considered before deciding:

1. Measure the area that is to be tiled.

2. The placement of tile pattern affects the amount of tiles used. (Eg: Chevron, Herringbone)

3. Consider windows for wastage as tiles got to be cut for alignment.

4. Will there be a shower curb in the bathroom, as additional tiles would be needed.

5. Decide on the placement of cabinets in the kitchen to save on tiles.

6. Will there be skirting for the floor?

If you’re laying floor tiles across a number of rooms and a seamless flow between the rooms is required, then it’s worth considering 15% extra if the rooms vary considerably in shape and size and include the hallway, which tends to be mis-shapen in comparison to a more uniform kitchen or dining area, therefore more cuts are required which generally means more wastage.

Also, if the tile you’re buying is end of line, clearance, or discontinued, it’s always worth buying extra as that tile, or batch of tiles, may no longer be available from the manufacturer if you need more to cover wastage.