Splashbacks and tiling in Irvine

Who usually needs splashbacks and tiling in Irvine?

Homeowners in Irvine often add a splashback as the final stage of a new kitchen, once the worktops are in and the bare wall above them needs a washable finish.

Landlords around Ayrshire often prefer plain tiles with mid-grey grout or a glass panel, since both stand up to heavy use and are quick to clean between tenancies. We work throughout Irvine (KA12) and across the wider Ayrshire area.

What is included in the work?

Your written quote lists everything included. For splashbacks and tiling, that normally means:

Old tiles removed and walls prepared, patched or boarded where needed
Stone upstands and splashbacks templated and fitted alongside a stone worktop
Tiled splashbacks between the worktop and wall units, set out from a centre line
Socket and switch plates refitted by an electrician once the tiling is finished
Free survey visit to check the walls, agree the layout and give an itemised quote
Full-height or feature tiling behind the hob, sink or open shelving

What do splashbacks and tiling cost in Irvine?

These guide ranges include VAT at 20% and are adjusted for prices in Scotland. We confirm your price in writing after a free survey visit. Costs across Scotland tend to sit under UK averages, which these ranges reflect.

What do splashbacks and tiling cost in Irvine?
Typical project	Guide price
Tiled splashbackBetween worktop and wall units	£140–£380
Kitchen wall tiling, 4–6 m²Preparation, tiling and grouting	£280–£750
Toughened glass splashback behind the hob, fittedMade to measure after the worktops are in	£240–£560
Stone upstands and splashbacksTemplated with the worktop	Priced with the worktop

Tiling guide ranges cover preparation, adhesive, grout, trims and fixing, with the tiles themselves confirmed once chosen; the glass range includes a made-to-measure panel, and stone upstands are priced with the worktop. Prices include VAT at 20%.

House types around Irvine and what they mean for a kitchen

Across Ayrshire you will often find red sandstone villas, sandstone tenement flats, four-in-a-block flats and post-war council-built houses, and each shapes the kitchen differently. Four-in-a-block flats and ex-council houses often have a small galley kitchen, while sandstone villas in Ayr tend to have a larger kitchen with a separate dining room.

Upper four-in-a-block flats usually have their own stair, and coastal towns can have limited parking, so the route for long worktops is checked at the survey. Ayrshire's mains water is soft, so limescale is rarely a problem and taps, sinks and boiling water taps tend to stay cleaner.

Do you need approval for splashbacks and tiling in Irvine?

In Scotland, tiling and splashbacks do not need a building warrant or planning permission. If sockets or switches are moved to suit the new wall finish, the electrical work must meet the building standards and BS 7671, and you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate. In a listed building, removing historic tiles or panelling may need listed building consent, so check with the local authority first.

Listed sandstone villas and conservation areas in older town centres may need consent for a new external vent, and flat owners may need neighbours' agreement for shared walls.

Getting the most from your splashbacks and tiling

Choosing stone worktops for an Irvine kitchen? Ask for upstand and splashback heights to be confirmed before the template visit, not after.
Keep the tile boxes until the job is finished and note the batch number, so matching replacements can be found if a tile cracks later.
Clear the worktop and empty the nearest wall cupboards before the tiler arrives at your Irvine home, as cutting dust and adhesive travel further than you expect.
Toughened glass cannot be cut once it is made, so it is measured after the worktops are fixed and every socket position is final.

Questions about splashbacks and tiling in Irvine

How much do splashbacks and tiling cost in Irvine?

Guide prices in Irvine are about £140 to £380 including VAT for a tiled splashback. The final price depends on the size of the kitchen and what is moving, and is set out in an itemised written quote.

Which parts of Irvine do you work in?

All of them. Our Ayrshire coverage takes in the whole of Irvine, including the KA12 postcode district, as well as surrounding towns such as Kilwinning. If you are unsure, send us your postcode.

Can you tile over existing kitchen tiles?

Sometimes, but it is rarely the better choice in a kitchen. Tiling over old tiles adds thickness, so sockets, switches and the edge against the wall units may no longer line up, and the new tiles rely on the old ones staying firmly bonded. If the existing tiles are sound and flat it can work for a small area; otherwise we remove them and prepare the wall.

Can a glass splashback go behind a gas hob?

Yes, usually, as long as the glass is toughened and the hob maker's instructions allow it. Toughened glass handles heat far better than ordinary glass, but a gas hob must still keep the clearances set out in its installation instructions, so we check those before ordering. The panel is measured after the worktops are fitted and made with cut-outs for sockets, because it cannot be cut once toughened.

Can heavy tiles or stone go on any kitchen wall?

Not always. Heavy tiles such as large-format porcelain or natural stone need a backing that can carry their weight and an adhesive suited to both the tile and the wall. Old plaster, painted plaster or plasterboard may need preparing, priming or replacing with a tile backer board first. We check the wall at the survey and follow the tile and adhesive makers' guidance.

Also covering nearby towns

Close to Irvine? We cover these nearby towns too: