The tile prices have increased significantly, any suggestions?

Hello community, we are about to start construction with a general contractor. Yesterday, I was looking for tiles with my wife. The nice gentleman showed us various tiles. Mostly wood-look tiles in the living area and matte tiles in the bathroom. The ones we liked were around €75/m2. He explained that many prices have increased sharply recently. Mainly due to clay from Ukraine (shortage). Secondly due to the rise in gas prices (about €5 to €10/m2), which is required for firing tiles.

His suggestion was to wait some time (which we have) and then check the prices again. Our general contractor in the Lower Saxony region stated a total of €103/m2 for floor tiles (including €30 gross material costs, 30X60) (additional service). Do you think this price is reasonable? What are your experiences with tile prices and installation costs?

You could go to the next hardware store and check what the prices are like. Or online, they also have prices. Whether you are allowed to buy them yourself depends on your contract. Just keep the option open for yourself.

Or you take the same wood look in 30x60 standard format for 23 EUR per sqm. Instead of the special size ;)

Our local tile market has not raised prices at all so far, nor has the one in the next larger city.

You could drive to the next hardware store and check what their prices are. Or online, they also have prices. Whether you are allowed to buy them yourself depends on your contract. Just keep the option open.

The main contractor has specified a certain tile market. I am considering whether to completely remove the tile from this additional expense.

Or you take the same wood look in 30x60 standard format for 23 EUR per sqm. Instead of the special size ;)

30 x 60 format for wood look doesn’t look so good in my opinion. Maybe he would look for another type of tile.

Our local tile market hasn’t increased anything so far, nor has the one in the next bigger city.

That is interesting...

We recently had the same problem. In our [Bau und Leistungsbeschreibung] the tile price (porcelain tiles 30x60 cm) is even only €25. The price planning is from 2020. Unfortunately, the start of construction was significantly delayed and meanwhile, according to the tile wholesale trade, prices for some products have risen significantly. In the end, we chose both. Tiles in the [Bau und Leistungsbeschreibung]-price range (hallway, kitchen, guest WC) and somewhat more expensive tiles for the two bathrooms. This way, the additional costs remain manageable.