Splashbacks and tiling in Kelso

Why splashbacks and tiling for a Kelso home?

Some households in the Scottish Borders want tiling taken up to the ceiling behind a range cooker or open shelving, turning one whole wall into a practical feature that is easy to wipe down.

If the kitchen in your Kelso home is sound but the tiles are dated, cracked or stained, a new splashback is one of the simplest ways to refresh it without replacing units. We cover all of Kelso, including the TD5 postcode district, and travel out to neighbouring towns across the Scottish Borders.

What does the job involve?

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

Grout and sealant chosen for easy cleaning, with flexible sealant at the worktop joint
Socket and switch plates refitted by an electrician once the tiling is finished
Tiled splashbacks between the worktop and wall units, set out from a centre line
Stone upstands and splashbacks templated and fitted alongside a stone worktop
Free survey visit to check the walls, agree the layout and give an itemised quote
Toughened glass splashback measured after the worktops are fitted, with socket cut-outs

Guide prices for splashbacks and tiling in Kelso

Typical splashbacks and tiling prices for homes in Kelso, including VAT and adjusted for Scotland. Your own figure depends on the size of the kitchen, the layout and what is moving. Prices in Scotland usually come in below the national guide, as labour rates are lower than in the South East.

Guide prices for splashbacks and tiling in Kelso
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%.

Kitchens in homes around Kelso

In and around Kelso, homes range across stone mill-town terraces, Victorian villas, farm cottages and post-war council-built houses. Stone terraces in Hawick and Galashiels often have a small kitchen at the back, while Victorian villas in Peebles and Kelso tend to have larger separate kitchens.

The Scottish Borders generally have soft mains water, though rural homes on private supplies may need testing and filtering. Rural roads and farm tracks can be narrow for delivery lorries, and older town centres may have limited parking, so delivery is planned in advance.

What rules apply to splashbacks and tiling in Kelso?

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.

Older Borders towns often have conservation areas and listed buildings, so a new external vent or changes to historic features may need consent.

Tips before you start

Choosing stone worktops for a Kelso kitchen? Ask for upstand and splashback heights to be confirmed before the template visit, not after.
If you are renting out a flat in Kelso, a single glass panel or large plain tiles cut down the grout that needs cleaning at each check-out.
Hold a few of your chosen tiles against the wall in your Kelso kitchen, in daylight and under the kitchen lights, before ordering the full quantity.
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 Kelso

How much do splashbacks and tiling cost in Kelso?

For a tiled splashback, budget around £140 to £380 including VAT in Kelso. That reflects typical costs in Scotland; we confirm the actual figure in writing once we have measured up.

Which parts of Kelso do you work in?

All of them. Our Scottish Borders coverage takes in the whole of Kelso, including the TD5 postcode district, as well as surrounding towns such as Galashiels. If you are unsure, send us your postcode.

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.

When are splashbacks fitted during a kitchen installation?

Splashbacks go on near the end, once the worktops are fixed and the electrician has agreed where the sockets and switches will sit. Tiles need a finished worktop to start from, glass is measured off the fitted worktop, and stone upstands are templated at the same visit as the worktop. Faceplates go back on after tiling, so the sockets sit neatly against the new finish.

Which grout and sealant are easiest to keep clean?

A darker or mid-tone grout in narrow joints is usually the easiest to keep looking clean in a kitchen, and an epoxy or stain-resistant grout helps behind the hob and sink. Where the tiles meet the worktop, a flexible sealant is used rather than grout, because that joint moves slightly. The sealant can be cut out and renewed later without disturbing the tiles.

Splashbacks and tiling in neighbouring towns

Neighbouring towns where we offer splashbacks and tiling: