Tile Selection Appointment Explained: What to Expect & How to Prepare

The tile selection appointment is one of the most detailed and potentially expensive selection appointments in the building process. Every surface that will be tiled — kitchen splashbacks, bathroom walls and floors, entryways, laundries, living areas and outdoor alfrescos — is decided here. Walking in prepared can be the difference between a home you love and a budget that's blown before construction starts.

What Is the Tile Selection Appointment?

The tile selection appointment is a scheduled meeting with your builder's colour or selection consultant. During this appointment, you'll choose the tiles for every tiled surface in your new home. Depending on the builder, this may be combined with your colour and paint selections in a single appointment, or it may be a dedicated tile-only session.

The consultant will show you tile samples, explain what's included in your standard allowance, and present upgrade options with pricing. You'll be asked to make decisions on tile type, size, colour, finish, grout colour and layout pattern for each room.

What to Bring

• Your house plans and elevations — mark which rooms need tiles and approximate square metreage
• A mood board or saved images of tile styles you like (Pinterest, Instagram, display home photos)
• Your kitchen cabinet colours and benchtop selection (if already chosen) so tiles can be coordinated
• A list of rooms and the decisions needed for each (floor tile, wall tile, splashback, feature)
• A realistic upgrade budget — know what you can spend before you walk in
• A notebook or phone to record decisions and pricing

Decisions You'll Make

For each room, you'll typically make the following decisions:

• Tile type — porcelain or ceramic, natural stone, or other materials
• Tile size — standard (e.g. 300×300mm, 300×600mm) or large format (e.g. 600×600mm, 600×1200mm)
• Tile finish — gloss, matt, textured, polished or natural
• Tile colour and style — plain, patterned, marble-look, concrete-look, timber-look
• Grout colour — matching, contrasting or a specific brand/colour
• Layout pattern — stack bond, brick bond, herringbone, chevron or other
• Feature tiles — for splashbacks, niches, accent walls or entry features

Typical Upgrade Costs

How to Prepare

Preparation is the single most important factor in a successful tile appointment. Start by reviewing your plans and listing every room that needs tiles. For each room, note the approximate floor area and wall area so you can estimate upgrade costs. Visit display homes and tile showrooms to see tiles in person — photos online rarely capture the true colour, texture and scale of a tile.

Think about how tiles flow from room to room. Many buyers choose a consistent floor tile for open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas, then vary in bathrooms, laundry and entry. Consider whether you want indoor tiles to continue outdoors to the alfresco for a seamless look.

Room-by-Room Checklist

• Entry / Foyer — floor tile, feature tile or panel?
• Living / Dining / Kitchen — floor tile type, size and colour
• Kitchen Splashback — tile type, colour, feature or plain?
• Bathroom(s) — floor tile, wall tile, shower niche tile, feature strip?
• Ensuite — same as main bathroom or different style?
• Powder Room — feature wall or floor tile?
• Laundry — floor tile (usually practical, matching wet areas)
• Alfresco / Outdoor — outdoor-rated tile, matching or contrasting indoor?
• Garage — tiled or sealed concrete? (usually not tiled in project homes)

Frequently Asked Questions