The short answer
Tile installation costs in Bali cannot be established from area alone. Equal-sized areas may need different work because of the substrate, tile type, cuts, access and room use. Compare quotations against the same scope, separating labour, materials, substrate preparation and additional work. This guide explains measurement and enquiry preparation; it is not a market-price survey or an official BPP contract-rate schedule.
1. Measure each surface and separate floors from walls
Record the length and width of each floor, then measure walls as separate surfaces. Name the rooms and provide photographs showing the boundaries. Do not combine dry-room flooring, bathrooms, outdoor terraces, steps and high walls into a single unexplained item. Methods, access requirements and finishing details may differ.
State whether areas are gross or net, how openings are deducted and how small sections are measured. Record skirting, stair edges, thresholds, pipe openings and corners separately. Do not assume every detail is included in the main surface installation rate.
2. A worked example for floor area and skirting length
For example, a dry room measuring 5 × 4 metres has a floor area of 20 m². A 2 × 2 metre bathroom adds 4 m². The combined floor area is 24 m², but the quotation should retain two separate items because preparation and wet-area requirements need review. This example does not include bathroom walls.
The dry room’s perimeter is 2 × (5 + 4) = 18 metres. If one doorway, 1 metre wide, has no skirting, the example skirting quantity is 17 linear metres. That is not another 17 m². Installed area also differs from the quantity of tiles purchased; cutting allowances and spare stock are agreed after the layout and tile size are known.
| Example item | Calculation | Quantity to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Dry-room floor | 5 m × 4 m | 20 m² |
| Bathroom floor | 2 m × 2 m | 4 m², listed separately |
| Dry-room skirting | 18 m perimeter − 1 m doorway | 17 linear metres |
| Tile purchasing | Area + agreed cutting/spare allowance | Calculate after layout and product selection |
3. Review substrate preparation and adjoining work
Photographs of the exposed surface help distinguish new installation from replacement of existing tiles. Ask whether the quotation includes removal, debris transport, substrate repairs, levelling or changes in finished height. Cracking, moisture ingress or loose existing tiles need review before the method and price are agreed.
For bathrooms and other wet areas, discuss tiling separately from waterproofing, drain positions and forming falls. Identify who prepares and checks those stages before tiles are installed. Agree thresholds and connections to existing floors as well, so the quotation addresses more than laying tiles on the main surface.
4. Agree products and details before comparing rates
Send the tile type, dimensions, thickness, product photographs and preferred layout. Large tiles, diagonal patterns, numerous cuts and edge details should be described in the quotation. Agree layout direction, joint positions, grout colour and an initial sample area. Return-to-use timing follows the selected system and site conditions rather than a universal one-day promise.
Sika Indonesia’s documentation shows that adhesive products have different intended uses for tile types, surfaces and dry or wet locations. Record the selected product and follow its technical data sheet. This article does not prescribe one mixing ratio, adhesive thickness or waiting period for every tile installation.
5. Ask BPP for a quotation with comparable line items
Request separate lines for floors, walls, skirting, edge details, removal work and the substrate preparation needed. Identify who supplies tiles, adhesive, grout, cutting equipment, water, electricity, transport, protection and cleaning. Two totals can only be compared fairly once their inclusions and exclusions match.
BPP can discuss civil trades and tile-installation labour according to site conditions, team requirements and availability. Labour-only, labour-and-material and daily arrangements each need a quotation for the defined scope. Under the daily arrangement, wages and the BPP fee are listed separately; contract-package fees follow the project quotation.
What to send for a quotation
- Bali project location, room names, floor/wall dimensions and substrate photographs.
- Tile type, size, available quantity and preferred layout.
- Separate scope for removal, substrate repairs, waterproofing, drainage, skirting and edges.
- Responsibility for materials, equipment, transport, protection and cleaning.
- Timing, occupancy during work, a sample finish and approval rules for additional work.
Questions before work starts
- Does each per-m² rate cover the same surface type, area, products and substrate condition?
- Which items use square metres, linear metres, individual details or a separate package?
- Who checks wet-area readiness and approves the layout before installation continues?
Related guides
Product references
These are examples of manufacturer documentation. Use the documents for the products and system actually selected for the project.