Splashbacks and tiling in Torquay

Is splashbacks and tiling right for your Torquay kitchen?

Many people in Devon choose a single panel of toughened glass behind the hob because it wipes clean quickly and has no grout lines to hold grease.

Some households in Devon 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. We cover all of Torquay, including the TQ2 postcode district, and travel out to neighbouring towns across Devon.

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
Stone upstands and splashbacks templated and fitted alongside a stone worktop
Old tiles removed and walls prepared, patched or boarded where needed
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
Tiled splashbacks between the worktop and wall units, set out from a centre line

Guide prices for splashbacks and tiling in Torquay

The figures below are guide prices for Torquay, including VAT and adjusted for typical costs across the South West. The fixed price comes after we have measured up. For the South West, these ranges are close to the national figures.

Guide prices for splashbacks and tiling in Torquay
Typical project	Guide price
Tiled splashbackBetween worktop and wall units	£150–£410
Kitchen wall tiling, 4–6 m²Preparation, tiling and grouting	£310–£820
Toughened glass splashback behind the hob, fittedMade to measure after the worktops are in	£260–£620
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%.

What kind of kitchens do we fit in Torquay?

Typical homes in this part of Devon include cob and thatched cottages, Victorian terraces, post-war houses and flats and seaside bungalows. Victorian terraces in Exeter and Torbay often have a narrow back kitchen, while post-war houses and seaside bungalows usually have a square room that suits an L-shape.

Single-track lanes, steep town streets and cottages with no parking can make deliveries slow, so long worktops and tall units need a planned route into the house. Much of Devon has soft mains water, which is kind to taps and appliances, though some eastern parts are harder, so check with your supplier.

Do you need approval for splashbacks and tiling in Torquay?

Tiling or fitting a splashback in England needs no planning permission or building regulations approval. If sockets or switches are moved to suit the new wall finish, that is electrical work to BS 7671; adding to an existing kitchen circuit is not notifiable under Part P, but a new circuit is. Behind a gas hob, follow the hob maker's clearance instructions, and in a listed building, removing historic tiles or panelling may need listed building consent.

Homes within Dartmoor or Exmoor national parks, listed thatched cottages and conservation areas may need consent before a new extractor vent goes through an outside wall.

Planning ahead

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.
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.
If your Devon kitchen has a gas hob, check the hob instructions for splashback clearances before choosing glass or tiles for the wall behind it.
Pale grout behind a hob or sink shows stains quickly; a mid-grey or stain-resistant grout in narrow joints is easier to keep looking fresh.

Questions about splashbacks and tiling in Torquay

How much do splashbacks and tiling cost in Torquay?

Splashbacks and tiling in Torquay typically cost £150 to £410 including VAT for a tiled splashback, based on prices in the South West. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.

Which parts of Torquay do you work in?

All of them. Our Devon coverage takes in the whole of Torquay, including the TQ2 postcode district, as well as surrounding towns such as Paignton. If you are unsure, send us your postcode.

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.

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 near Torquay

Neighbouring towns where we offer splashbacks and tiling: