If you have been eyeing that outdated bathroom floor or the plain kitchen backsplash for a few years now, this might be the season to finally tackle it. Tiling your own space can save serious money and give you a result you will be genuinely proud of. But before you mix a single batch of mortar, you need the right tools in your hands. Here is what the pros say every DIYer should have before getting started.

Wet Saw

For clean, precise cuts on porcelain or large-format tile, a wet saw is hard to beat. Small models run anywhere from $100 to $500, while larger-format tile work can push that price to $1,000 or more. The investment pays off in accuracy and saved materials. Safety matters here: always wear eye and ear protection, and recruit a helper when cutting larger pieces. Master tiler Jeff Thacker also recommends picking up a stand for the saw and watching instructional videos before your first cut. “Watch a video about how to use the saw, to help you do the job right and to learn how to use it safely,” Thacker says.

Manual Tile Cutter

For many suburban remodel projects, a manual tile cutter gets the job done without the mess or noise of a wet saw. Rubi brand models start around $120 and top out near $500. They are fast, accurate, and perfect for straight cuts. Keep one in the garage and you will reach for it constantly.

Angle Grinder with a Turbo Diamond Blade

Smaller projects and specialty cuts call for an angle grinder fitted with a turbo diamond blade. It handles notch cuts and tricky spots where a wet saw cannot easily go. Go for a variable speed model so you can also use it with polishing pads to smooth cut edges without burning the tile. Polishing pad grits to keep on hand include 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1200. As always, eye and ear protection are non-negotiable when running a grinder.

Trowels in Multiple Sizes

Spreading mortar or mastic evenly is the difference between tiles that stay flat and level and ones that shift and crack. Notched trowels let you control exactly how much adhesive goes down. Thacker stresses consistency here: “It’s important to use the same amount of adhesive every time so that your tiles are level.” A good set of trowels runs about $25 to $30 and is worth every penny.

Angle Finder and Rafter Square

Walls and floors in older suburban homes are rarely perfectly square, which is why these two measuring tools earn their place in your toolbox. A rafter square (sometimes called a speed square or fast square) handles common angles like 45 degrees and costs only $15 to $30. An angle finder, priced around $30, handles the trickier measurements when you are working in an irregular space. Thacker notes that you will likely reach for the rafter square more often, but both tools keep your cuts accurate from start to finish.

Tape Measure

A good tape measure is the foundation of any tile project. Before you ever touch a saw, you need to know exactly how many tiles and rows your space requires. Grout lines add up, so factor those into your measurements or you will end up short on material. This is one tool you probably already have in the garage, so dust it off and make sure the blade is clean and easy to read.

Getting Started with Confidence

Tiling a bathroom floor or a laundry room backsplash is absolutely within reach for a motivated homeowner. The key is not rushing to the tile store until you have built out your tool kit first. Buy quality where it counts, like your wet saw and trowels, and do not skip the safety gear. Watch a few tutorial videos, measure twice, and cut once.

A weekend project done right turns into something the whole family gets to enjoy for decades. That is the kind of improvement that really does make a house feel like a home.