Tile takeoffs need more detail than room square footage. Floors, walls, shower surrounds, niches, benches, backsplashes, patterns, trims, and substrate conditions all affect material and labor.
Measure every tiled surface
Use finish plans, interior elevations, and schedules to separate floor tile from wall tile. Measure shower walls by elevation and include niches, benches, curbs, and feature areas when shown.
Track tile by product and pattern
Different tile sizes and materials have different waste, cutting, setting, and handling requirements. Herringbone, diagonal, mosaics, borders, large-format tile, and book-matched materials should not use a generic installation assumption.
Carry the installation materials
Include appropriate setting materials, grout, movement joints, trims or profiles, backer or underlayment when in scope, and substrate preparation required by the documents.
Define waterproofing carefully
Shower and wet-area waterproofing may be part of the tile package or a separate waterproofing scope. Identify the specified system and avoid carrying it twice.
Waste should reflect the layout
Waste is influenced by tile size, room geometry, pattern, breakage risk, and attic-stock requirements. Use a stated assumption that the estimator can adjust instead of hiding it inside the material price.