Buying Tiles and Bathroom Fittings in Dakar

Renovating a bathroom or tiling a living room involves choices that are costly to fix once the work has started: tile quality, the quantity ordered, and the choice of taps and fittings. In Dakar, hardware stores and specialized shops, particularly around Diamniadio, offer a wide range, provided you plan your order carefully beforehand.

Choosing the Quality of Tiles and Wall Tiles

Floor tiles need to be sturdier than wall tiles, which are mainly designed for decoration and bathroom humidity. For a terrace or a sun-exposed yard, choose a non-slip tile that handles temperature changes well. Always ask to see a sample before confirming a large quantity, since color can vary slightly between batches, which becomes a problem if the purchase happens in several stages. It also helps to lay a few tiles side by side in daylight before buying, since artificial light in a shop can make shades look more uniform than they really are.

Calculating Quantity While Accounting for Waste

A common mistake is ordering the exact surface area to be tiled, with no margin. You should always plan for cutting waste, generally between 10 and 15 percent depending on the room's complexity, corners and cuts around doors. This margin also keeps a few spare tiles for a future repair, since a sold-out batch can be hard to match exactly months after the original purchase.

Taps, Toilets and Showers: Durable Choices

For taps, toilets and showers, it is better to choose sturdy fittings rather than the cheapest models, since water pressure variations can wear out fragile hardware prematurely. Check the availability of spare parts before buying, since some models become hard to repair once matching seals or replacement valves are no longer sold. Also think about transport: tiles are heavy and fragile, so careful packaging and a suitable vehicle help avoid breakage along the way. Stacking boxes flat rather than on their edge during the trip also reduces the risk of cracked corners before the tiles even reach the site.

Comparing Quotes and Choosing a Tradesperson for Installation

Once the materials are chosen, installation makes all the difference to the final result. Ask several tradespeople for quotes to compare labor costs, keeping in mind that the cheapest option is not always the most careful one, and asking how long the job is expected to take helps you plan around the disruption. A mid-range tile budget generally runs between 5,000 and 12,000 FCFA per square meter for materials, with installation billed separately by the tradesperson. To find reliable suppliers, the Dakar shopping directory lists several hardware stores specializing in building materials.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• Quincaillerie Général Bah & frère : Diamniadio
• FOURNITURE GENERAL DE PLOMBERIE : Dakar
• Quincaillerie Kébé& Frères : Diamniadio
• Quincaillerie : Diamniadio
• Quincaillerie Cheikh Guèye : Dakar
• Plomberie plus : Plateau

For more options, see all addresses in this category or explore the Dakar directory.

Useful tools

• Route planner to organize a trip around the hardware stores in Diamniadio.
• FCFA currency converter, handy for comparing quotes in other currencies.
• List your business for tradespeople and material suppliers.

For more, read our guide to hardware stores and building materials and our article on how to choose a tradesperson for work in Dakar.

Frequently asked questions

How much margin should I plan for tile cutting waste?

It is best to plan for 10 to 15 percent extra depending on the room's complexity and the number of cuts needed.

Should I always choose the cheapest tiles?

Not necessarily: tiles that are too fragile or poor-quality wall tiles can end up costing more in repairs over time.

How do I choose a good tradesperson for installation?

Compare several quotes, check past work if possible, and favor someone who takes the time to explain their installation method.