Tiling services - floor and wall - issued 2012

Input benchmarks

You may find the input benchmarks useful in calculating the expected income based on the labour and materials used. They apply to tilers who work directly with household customers and who are responsible for purchasing their own materials.

The input benchmarks have been developed with advice from the Australian Tile Council and trade participants.

They represent the industry norm. You should consider your own personal circumstances when using the input benchmarks to assess your situation.

These benchmarks are current as at March 2010.

Input benchmark guide

The table below sets out input benchmarks for tilers.

You can use this benchmark to compare and check your business performance to the tiling industry average.

Benchmark guide
Coverage rate (square metres) for every 100 square metres of tiles ordered allowing for wastage		90 - 95
Materials charge ($) per square metres (grout, glue and incidentals)		10 - 15
Average job size (square metres)		50
Average completion rate (square metres) per day	one tradesperson	7 - 10
Days to complete average job* (including grout, glue, cutting, measuring and set-up)	one tradesperson	5 - 7
	two tradespeople	3 - 4
Price charged ($) per square metre - labour only		30 - 55

* Add one day for large tiles.

Notes:

• All dollar amounts are GST inclusive.
• Prices charged may vary between states and regions.

Input benchmark - sales turnover

You can use this benchmark to:

• estimate your income
• compare your income against the tiling industry average
• check that your records accurately reflect your income.

Income guide	One tradesperson	Two tradespeople
Square metres installed per year	2,200	3,650
Price charged ($) per square metre - labour only	30 - 55	30 - 55
Price charged ($) per square metre - labour and materials (grout, glue etc)	40 - 70	40 - 70
Sales turnover range ($) - labour install only	66,000 - 121,000	109,500 - 200,750
Sales turnover range ($) - labour and materials	88,000 - 154,000	146,000 - 255,500
Average labour charge ($) per day	per tradesperson	250 - 550
Average job size (square metres)	50	50
Jobs completed per year	44	73
Days to complete average job	5	3
Days worked per year	220	220

Notes:

• All dollar amounts are GST inclusive.
• Includes charges to client to supply excess tiles ordered to cover wastage.
• If sales turnover includes labour and material, add $40 to $100 per square metre for cost of tiles.

Input benchmark examples

Example 1

Cyrus runs a tiling business and has one sub-contractor working for him. They work on household jobs, supplying labour and materials (including glue, grout and incidentals).

Cyrus normally charges $65 per square metre for basic wall and floor tiling, which includes $50 per square metre for labour and $15 per square metre for materials. Cyrus reviews his quote books and finds he has laid about 3,600 square metres of tiles.

Cyrus calculates he has charged his clients $54,000 for materials and $180,000 for labour. This is a total income of $234,000

Cyrus's records show reported income of $230,000, which is within the benchmarks and close to his estimate. He is happy with his record keeping.

Example 2

Lachlan, a sole trader, has a wall and floor tiling business and installs only. He normally charges $50 per square metre for his labour and $10 per square metre for materials. Lachlan usually lays 10 square metres per day which is gross sales of $600 per day on average.

Checking his business records, Lachlan finds he has recorded income of $96,000 for his labour and materials for the year.

Using his benchmark earnings of $600 per day, Lachlan estimates he would have worked 160 days to earn $96,000. However, Lachlan has had a busy year and is sure he worked more than that.

He reviews his quote books and finds 12 jobs where he was paid cash. He charged $36,000 for these jobs. Lachlan recalculates his income for the year to $132,000 which is within the benchmarks. Lachlan asks his bookkeeper for advice on keeping better records.