Flooring installation cost in the UK
Flooring installation in the UK typically costs between £15 and £90 per m² for labour and a similar £15–£90 per m² for materials, giving a fully fitted range of £30–£180 per m². Carpets sit at the low end (£25–£55 per m² fitted); LVT and engineered wood land at £55–£110 per m²; large-format porcelain tile runs £80–£180 per m² fitted.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up bathroom tiling cost in the uk, kitchen renovation cost in the uk and plastering cost per m² in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Carpet (mid-range, supplied & fitted) | £25–£55/m² |
Laminate (8 mm) | £30–£60/m² |
LVT / vinyl plank (click) | £40–£75/m² |
LVT (glue-down, herringbone) | £55–£110/m² |
Engineered wood | £60–£130/m² |
Solid wood (oak) | £80–£160/m² |
Porcelain tile (fitted) | £80–£180/m² |
Labour costs
Flooring fitters charge per m² or per day. Subfloor preparation is the variable that most often pushes the price up.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Carpet fitter (per m²) | £5–£12/m² |
Laminate / LVT click fit (per m²) | £12–£22/m² |
LVT glue-down (per m²) | £20–£40/m² |
Engineered / solid wood fit (per m²) | £18–£35/m² |
Tile fit (per m²) | £35–£75/m² |
Self-levelling compound (per m²) | £8–£22/m² |
Materials costs
Material cost varies hugely by brand and quality. Trade outlets and direct suppliers beat retail by 15–30%.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Carpet (per m², mid range) | £15–£45/m² |
Underlay (per m²) | £4–£12/m² |
Laminate plank (per m²) | £12–£30/m² |
LVT (per m²) | £25–£60/m² |
Engineered wood (per m²) | £35–£90/m² |
Porcelain tile (per m²) | £25–£90/m² |
Total per-m² ranges by floor type
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Carpet | £25–£55/m² |
Laminate / LVT | £30–£110/m² |
Engineered wood | £60–£130/m² |
Tile (porcelain) | £80–£180/m² |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Floor type — tile is the most expensive labour line.
- ·Subfloor condition — chipboard, screed or old vinyl drives prep cost.
- ·Pattern — herringbone, chevron and large-format add 25–50% to labour.
- ·Room shape — irregular rooms have more cuts and waste.
- ·Region — London adds 25–35% to fitter day rates.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Buy direct from a flooring trade outlet rather than a retail showroom.
- ·Use click-system LVT or laminate to cut labour vs glue-down.
- ·Order 10–15% extra for cuts and waste — avoids mid-job re-orders.
- ·Reuse existing skirting if possible — scribe new flooring up to it.
- ·Lay flooring before fitting kitchen units to save under-unit cut-outs.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does flooring installation take?
- 1 day for a 20 m² laminate room, 1–2 days for LVT or engineered wood, 2–4 days for tile depending on cuts and grout cure.
- Is LVT worth the extra over laminate?
- Yes in kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic areas — LVT is waterproof and lasts 15–20 years. Laminate is fine in bedrooms.
- Do I need underlay for laminate and LVT?
- Laminate yes — underlay improves acoustics and forgives small subfloor unevenness. Click-LVT often has pre-attached underlay.
- Can I install over existing tile?
- LVT and engineered wood can go over sound tile if joints are filled with self-leveller. Carpet and laminate also work but cushion the height jump.
- How much waste should I order?
- 10% plain rooms, 15% for diagonal or herringbone, 20% for hexagonal tile or very irregular rooms.
- Does VAT apply on flooring?
- Yes — 20% on materials and labour from VAT-registered fitters.