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What changes the cost of regrouting tiles?
The cost of regrouting depends on the area of tiles, the width and depth of the joints, how hard the old grout is to rake out, the grout chosen, and whether sealant lines, mould or loose tiles need dealing with too. This guide prints no price, so compare quotes for the same walls and floors.
Last reviewed:What regrouting involves
Grout fills the joints between tiles. Over time it stains, cracks, crumbles or grows mould, especially in showers and around baths. Regrouting replaces the old grout without taking the tiles off, which can freshen a bathroom or kitchen for much less disruption than retiling.
A regrouting job usually runs like this:
- Rake out the old grout to a set depth, by hand or with a power tool.
- Clean out the joints, removing dust and loose bits.
- Deal with problems, such as mould, loose tiles or failed sealant.
- Apply the new grout, pressing it into the joints.
- Clean off the tile faces and shape the joints.
- Reseal the movement joints with flexible sealant, if needed.
Raking out is the slow part, and it is where most of the time goes.
QuoteZila is starting in Cheshire, with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach among the first towns, and anyone in the UK can post a job. This guide does not print a price. It explains what changes the cost of regrouting and how to compare quotes.
What changes the cost of regrouting
| What is being priced | What makes it bigger or smaller | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Area | Square metres of wall or floor, number of rooms | How the area was measured |
| Tile size | Small tiles and mosaics mean many more joints | How the tile size affects the time |
| Joint width and depth | Narrow joints are slower to rake out | How deep the old grout will be removed |
| Old grout | Soft, hard, epoxy, or previously grouted over | How the old grout will come out |
| New grout | Cement-based, flexible, epoxy, colour | Which grout and why |
| Sealant | Bath, tray, basin and worktop lines | Whether resealing is included |
| Mould and damp | Surface mould, or water behind the tiles | What happens if the problem is deeper |
| Loose or cracked tiles | Refixing or replacing a few tiles | Whether repairs are included, and spare tiles |
| Access | Fitted furniture, shower screens, high walls | Anything that must be moved first |
| VAT | Whether the business is VAT registered | Whether the total includes VAT |
A business must register for VAT when its taxable turnover goes over £90,000 [S4]. Many tilers are sole traders, so ask whether each total includes VAT.
Raking out the old grout
Raking out takes care. A tiler needs to remove enough old grout for the new grout to grip, without chipping the tile edges or scratching the glaze. Narrow joints, hard grout and soft tiles such as natural stone make it slower.
Some tilers use a hand rake. Others use a multi-tool with a grout blade, which is quicker but can make dust. Ask:
- how deep they plan to rake out
- what tool they will use, and how they will protect tile edges
- how they will control dust in the room
- what happens if a tile cracks or comes loose during the work
If the old grout was epoxy, or someone has grouted over grout before, removal may take much longer. Say so in your job if you know.
Choosing the new grout
The grout changes both the price and how the job lasts.
- Cement-based grout. The usual choice for walls and floors. Many now include additives for flexibility and water resistance.
- Flexible grout. For surfaces that may move slightly, such as tiles on boards or underfloor heating.
- Epoxy grout. Very hard-wearing and stain resistant, but slower and trickier to apply, so it usually costs more in labour.
- Colour. Darker grout hides staining. Lighter grout shows it. A colour change needs the old grout fully removed.
Curing time affects when you can use the room. Mapei's data sheet for its Ultracolor Plus grout gives about 3 hours before light foot traffic and 24 hours before the surface is ready for use [S1]. It gives 48 hours for basins and swimming pools [S1]. Other grouts differ, so ask the tiler what they are using and when the shower can be used.
Mould, damp and loose tiles
Regrouting fixes worn grout. It does not fix water getting behind the tiles. Before you pay for regrouting, look for signs of a bigger problem:
- tiles that sound hollow when tapped, or move when pressed
- cracked tiles, especially in a line
- staining or soft plaster on the other side of the wall
- a shower tray or bath that moves when you stand in it
If you see any of these, ask the tiler to check before they quote. A few loose tiles can be refixed, but water damage behind the tiles may need retiling and repairs to the wall.
Surface mould on grout and sealant can often be cleaned off or removed with the old grout. Ask about ventilation too. A room that stays damp will grow mould on new grout as well.
Sealant lines
Grout is rigid. The joints where tiles meet a bath, shower tray, basin, worktop or floor need flexible sealant instead, because these joints move. Old sealant that is mouldy, cracked or peeling lets water in.
Many regrouting jobs include resealing these lines. Ask whether the quote covers it, which sealant will be used, and how long to leave it before the bath or shower is used.
Keeping new grout clean
Fresh grout looks clean and crisp on the day it goes in, and a little care keeps it that way. Ask the tiler how soon the room can be used, and whether they recommend a grout sealer for the grout they used. Some grouts are made to resist water and staining without one.
Day to day, wiping down tiles after a shower, keeping the room aired and using a cleaner that suits the grout all help. Harsh or acidic cleaners can damage some grouts and natural stone, so ask what to avoid. If you have the grout colour and make written down, small repairs later are much easier to match.
Regrouting in Cheshire
When you post a regrouting job, include photos of the tiled areas, with a close-up of the grout and a coin or tape measure for scale. Say which rooms, roughly how big the tiled areas are, and whether any tiles are loose. A tiler covering Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach or the villages nearby can then judge the joints and give a firmer price.
If you have spare tiles from when the room was tiled, mention that too. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business on QuoteZila.
What to have ready before you ask for quotes
- photos of each tiled area, with a close-up of the grout
- the rough size of each area
- the tile size and type, if known
- the grout colour you want
- whether sealant lines need replacing
- any loose, hollow or cracked tiles
- whether you have spare tiles
- your postcode and when the work could be done
How to compare regrouting quotes
Check each quote for:
- The areas included and their size.
- How the old grout will be removed, and to what depth.
- The new grout: type, make and colour.
- Resealing, and which lines.
- Loose or cracked tiles, and how repairs are priced.
- Dust control and clearing up.
- Whether VAT is included, and whether the price is fixed.
Citizens Advice suggests getting written quotes from at least three different traders before choosing [S2]. It also says a quote is a fixed price, while an estimate is a rough guess [S2]. Regrouting can uncover problems, so ask how any extra work will be agreed. After the work, Citizens Advice says the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires reasonable care and skill [S3].
Jobs you might post
These are examples, not taken from real job posts. "Regrout the tiled walls around a shower enclosure and replace the sealant along the tray." Or: "Kitchen floor tiles, grout stained and cracked. Please quote to rake out and regrout in a darker colour." Or: "Two tiles in the bathroom are loose and the grout around them has gone. Please refix and regrout the wall."
Get quotes for regrouting
Describe the tiled areas, the grout and any problems, with photos and your postcode. Up to five matched local businesses can reply [QZ2]. QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses [QZ1].
Honest status: QuoteZila is new. We're starting in Cheshire, beginning with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach, and growing area by area. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business. How fast you get quotes depends on how many local businesses have joined near you. Businesses can register and receive jobs straight away. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire.
Posting a job is not open yet
See the tilers page, bathroom fitters or handymen for small jobs. For new tiling, see what changes the cost of tiling.
Official and public sources
QuoteZila is not affiliated with these organisations.
- Grout curing times: Mapei technical data sheet for Ultracolor Plus grout [S1].
- Quotes and estimates: Citizens Advice: before you get work done on your home [S2].
- Poor work: Citizens Advice: problem with building work or home improvements [S3].
- VAT: GOV.UK on when to register [S4].
Questions about regrouting costs
How much does it cost to regrout tiles?
This guide does not print a price. The area, the joint size, how much old grout has to come out, the new grout, and any sealant, mould or loose tiles all change the total. Ask each tiler to quote for the same walls or floor and say what is included.
Is regrouting worth it, or should I retile?
Regrouting is worth considering when the tiles are sound and well stuck, and only the grout is stained, cracked or missing. If tiles are loose, cracked or water has got behind them, regrouting will not fix the cause, and a tiler may suggest repairs or retiling.
How soon can I use the shower after regrouting?
It depends on the grout. Mapei's data sheet for its Ultracolor Plus grout gives about 3 hours to light foot traffic and 24 hours before the surface is ready for use. Ask the tiler which grout they used and follow its instructions.
Can you grout over old grout?
Not usually. New grout needs depth to grip, so the old grout is raked out first. A thin layer over old grout tends to crack and flake. Ask the tiler how deep they will rake out.
Should the sealant be replaced at the same time?
Often, yes. The flexible sealant along the bath, shower tray or worktop takes movement that grout cannot. If it is mouldy or peeling, it is usually replaced while the tiler is there. Ask whether it is in the price.
What if the grout cracks again soon after?
Citizens Advice says the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires reasonable care and skill to be used while working. If new grout fails quickly, tell the tiler in writing with photos and ask them to put it right.
Does QuoteZila check the tilers?
No. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire. You can report a quote or a business from your job page.
Related guides
- Tilers: regrouting, repairs and new tiling
- Bathroom fitters: when a bathroom needs more than regrouting
- Handymen: small sealant and grout repairs
- All cost guides
Part of Cost guides. All services
Related trades
Related pages
- Tiled Bathroom: What Changes the Job. A tiled bathroom in Cheshire depends on the walls, the shower, the floor and the fan. This guide prints no tile figure here.
- Tiling Cost: What Changes the Price of Tiling. What changes the price of tiling walls and floors: the area, tile size and material, removing old tiles, preparing the surface, waterproofing, layout and trims.
Sources
- QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila home and FAQ copy.
- QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ "How does getting quotes work?".
- S1: Ultracolor Plus technical data sheet (GB), Mapei. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.mapei.com/docs/librariesprovider26/products-documents/1_2801_ultracolorplus__gb_f3ca3cd73f6341819d68bd1c6526a116.pdf?sfvrsn=a8264edf_0
- S2: Before you get work done on your home, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/
- S3: Problem with building work, decorating or home improvements, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/problem-with-home-improvements/
- S4: Register for VAT, GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-28. https://www.gov.uk/register-for-vat