TL;DR If you're a self-employed tiler juggling bathroom and kitchen jobs, customer enquiries, and cost estimates, a CRM keeps everything in one place so nothing slips. This post covers what a tiler CRM does in practice, when a spreadsheet stops being enough, how to share jobs with a labourer or second tiler, and whether it's worth it as a sole trader. Short answer: yes.
Tiling is skilled work. Layouts that need thinking through, surfaces that need preparing properly, grouting that needs time. The work itself demands focus. What most tilers don't want is to spend the same level of focus on keeping track of who called, what they want, and when you said you'd get back to them.
But that's the job. And if you're managing it from memory, a spreadsheet, and a handful of texts, something will slip eventually.
A CRM for tilers gives you one place to store your customers, track your jobs, and share the right information with your team. This guide covers what that looks like in practice, when you need one, and what to look for if you're a sole trader or small team.
If you want the broader picture first, read our guide to CRM for tradespeople.
What does a CRM actually do for a tiler?
A CRM stores all your customer details in one place and lets you track every job from first enquiry through to completion. For a tiler, that means no more digging through texts to find a customer's address, no more forgotten follow-ups, and no more wondering what was agreed on a quote from six weeks ago.
UK small businesses spend an average of 120 hours a year on admin tasks. For a sole trader tiler running jobs back to back, that time doesn't come from nowhere. It comes out of your evenings. And it's worth understanding why the admin problem costs more than most tradespeople realise. It comes out of your evenings, your weekends, and the gaps between jobs. A CRM puts the basics in one place so you're spending less time managing information and more time on the work.
When does a tiler actually need a CRM?
Most tilers start out managing work in their head or on a spreadsheet. That works fine for a handful of jobs. It starts breaking down when you're running multiple jobs at once, quoting new work while finishing existing jobs, and coordinating with other trades or a labourer.
The specific signs you need a system: a customer rings and you can't place them; a follow-up quote never goes out; a job you meant to start last week hasn't been confirmed because you forgot to chase; a labourer turns up at the wrong address. None of that is poor workmanship. It's what happens when the admin side of a business doesn't have a proper system behind it.
What should a CRM for tilers include?
The features that matter for a tiling business are practical. Here's what actually counts:
Customer records with notes
Store names, addresses, and numbers in one list. Private notes per customer matter for tiling specifically, because jobs often involve property-specific details. Tile sizes, grout colours, what was agreed on the design, what the customer mentioned about the next room. Having that on file means you don't have to start from scratch every time they ring back.
Job tracking
Create a job, link it to a customer, and update the status as work progresses. From enquiry, to quote sent, to booked, to in progress, to complete. Your team should be able to see that status in real time without calling you.
Photo storage
Before and after photos, progress shots, photos of the tile layout or pattern agreed with the customer. Being able to attach those to the job record rather than hunting through your camera roll saves time every time a question comes up.
Team and subcontractor access
If you work with a labourer or bring in other trades, they need to see the jobs relevant to them without accessing everything. Control over what each person can see is important. See our guide to managing subcontractors for more on how this works.
Mobile access
You're not at a desk. The tool needs to work from your phone on site, not just from a laptop at home.
How does Trader CRM work for a tiling business?
Here's what a typical workflow looks like. A customer contacts you about tiling a new bathroom. You create a customer record with their name, address, and number. You create a job linked to that customer, add a cost estimate, and set the status to enquiry. You visit the property, take photos of the space and the tiles they've chosen, and add notes about the layout and grout colour.
The customer confirms. You update the status to booked. If you've got a labourer helping with prep, you give them access to that specific job. They can see the site photos and the job details without needing to call you for the address.
When the job's done, you update the status to complete. The record stays on file. When they ring about the en suite next year, everything from this job is right there.
One price. Full access. No complicated setup. You can see what's included on the features page.
Is Trader CRM right for your tiling business?
Trader CRM is built for sole traders and small trade teams who want a simple way to manage customers and jobs without complicated software. If you're a tiler working on your own or with a small team, it's designed for the way you work.
It doesn't currently include invoicing, payments, or booking tools. If those are your main need, you'll want a tool that covers them. But if your problem is keeping on top of customers, tracking jobs, and sharing information with your team, Trader CRM does that well.
One straightforward monthly price. Full access. No hidden tiers. Try Trader CRM and see what changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best CRM for tilers in the UK?
For sole traders and small tiling teams, the best CRM is one that works from a phone, stores customer records with notes, tracks jobs from enquiry to completion, and lets you share specific jobs with team members or labourers. Trader CRM is built specifically for UK tradespeople and covers those basics at a straightforward price.
Can I use a CRM on my phone as a tiler?
Yes. Trader CRM is designed to be used on mobile. You can update job statuses, check customer details, and add site photos from anywhere on site.
Do I need a CRM as a sole trader tiler?
If you're managing more than a handful of customers, yes. A CRM means you're not relying on memory or a spreadsheet only you can access. It makes it easier to follow up on quotes and keep a record of what was agreed with each customer.
What's the difference between a CRM and job management software for tilers?
A CRM focuses on customer records and relationships. Job management software typically covers scheduling, invoicing, and financial reporting. Trader CRM covers the customer and job tracking side, but doesn't currently include invoicing. If you need that, more complex platforms are available.
How long does it take to set up a CRM for my tiling business?
With a simple tool like Trader CRM, under an hour. Add your current customers and active jobs. You don't need to import old data on day one. Start with what's on and build from there.
