Premium tile is not always easy to replace. A collection may be discontinued, a supplier may change stock, or the same product name may arrive in a different shade or production batch.
Keeping a small reserve can prevent a minor future repair from becoming a much larger renovation.
Store the right information with the material
Spare tiles should be labelled with the collection, size, finish, shade or batch where available, and the room or elevation they belong to. A distinctive marble-look face may also have a direction that matters when it is placed later.
A photograph of the box label and the installed area can be as valuable as the spare tile itself.
Not every leftover is useful
Broken offcuts, pieces with unsuitable cuts or material stored where it can warp or be damaged do not create a reliable reserve. The storage location should be dry, secure and sensible for the product.
The amount needed depends on the tile, room and likelihood of future damage. It is not a fixed percentage for every renovation.
Handover should include future thinking
A good handover records the visible products and the information needed to maintain them. That can include tile, grout, sealants, taps, cartridges, lighting components and spare material.
The aim is not to keep a warehouse. It is to make the finished bathroom repairable.
Read why tile batch numbers matter, or see what belongs in a premium bathroom handover.