Splashbacks and tiling · Scotland
Splashbacks and tiling in the Lothians
If you need splashbacks and tiling anywhere in the Lothians, we survey the kitchen, agree the scope with you and book every trade through to handover.
Who usually needs splashbacks and tiling in the Lothians?
Homeowners in the Lothians 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.
Some households in the Lothians 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.
What do splashbacks and tiling in the Lothians include?
Every kitchen is different, so we confirm the scope in writing. Most jobs of this kind include:
- Free survey visit to check the walls, agree the layout and give an itemised quote
- Old tiles removed and walls prepared, patched or boarded where needed
- Tiled splashbacks between the worktop and wall units, set out from a centre line
- Full-height or feature tiling behind the hob, sink or open shelving
- Toughened glass splashback measured after the worktops are fitted, with socket cut-outs
- Stone upstands and splashbacks templated and fitted alongside a stone worktop
- 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
How much do splashbacks and tiling cost in the Lothians?
The figures below are guide prices for the Lothians, including VAT and adjusted for typical costs across Scotland. The fixed price comes after we have measured up. Prices in Scotland usually come in below the national guide, as labour rates are lower than in the South East.
| 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 across the Lothians
You will find former mining village terraces, stone cottages, new town houses and new-build estates throughout the Lothians. Livingston's new-town houses often have a compact L-shaped kitchen, while older stone cottages and mining-village terraces tend to have a small kitchen at the back.
Homes across the Lothians generally get soft mains water, so limescale is rarely a big problem and taps and boiling water taps tend to stay cleaner. New-build estates usually have good access for vans, while older village streets and terraced rows can have tight parking close to the front door.
Many newer homes across the Lothians have builder-grade kitchens that owners replace with better storage, integrated appliances and an island or peninsula. Older stone cottages and mining-village terraces bring thick walls, small windows and uneven floors, which usually mean careful scribing, levelling and a well-planned lighting scheme.
Rules for splashbacks and tiling in the Lothians
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 buildings and conservation areas in older towns such as Musselburgh and Linlithgow may need consent for new vents, and flat owners may need neighbours' agreement.
Before you start
- Heavy tiles, such as large porcelain or natural stone, may need a stronger backing board and a suitable adhesive, so have the wall checked first.
- Choosing stone worktops? Decide on upstands or a full-height splashback before templating, so they can be cut from the same material and priced together.
- Order spare tiles from the same batch to cover cuts and breakages, and keep a few back so a later repair matches.
- Toughened glass cannot be cut once it is made, so it is measured after the worktops are fixed and every socket position is final.
- If you are renting out a flat in the Lothians, a single glass panel or large plain tiles cut down the grout that needs cleaning at each check-out.
- Give fresh grout and sealant the full curing time shown on the packaging before scrubbing them or letting water sit on the joint at the back of the worktop.
Questions about splashbacks and tiling in the Lothians
How much do splashbacks and tiling cost in the Lothians?
For a tiled splashback, budget around £140 to £380 including VAT in the Lothians. That reflects typical costs in Scotland; we confirm the actual figure in writing once we have measured up.
Do you cover the whole of the Lothians?
Yes. We carry out splashbacks and tiling across the Lothians, including Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate and Bonnyrigg. Every job starts with a free survey visit and an itemised written quote.
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.
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 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.
Splashbacks and tiling in towns across the Lothians
Choose a town for local guide prices and postcode coverage:
- Splashbacks and tiling in Livingston
- Splashbacks and tiling in Musselburgh
- Splashbacks and tiling in Bathgate
- Splashbacks and tiling in Bonnyrigg
- Splashbacks and tiling in Penicuik
- Splashbacks and tiling in Broxburn