Cost calculator
Flooring cost calculator
Flooring quotes are usually accurate on the material and vague on the subfloor. Latex levelling, ply overlay and door adjustments are what turn a tidy price into a surprise.
Total floor area to be covered.
Broad trade availability keeps day rates near the national average.
Estimated range, ex VAT
£1,700 – £5,400
- Labour (typical)
- £1,500
- Materials (typical)
- £2,050
Guidance only. A real quotation depends on site conditions, specification and access — which is exactly what an independent review of your own quote will tell you.
What affects the cost
Material
Laminate and carpet cheapest, LVT mid-range, engineered wood and large-format tile at the top.
Subfloor condition
Latex self-levelling compound or a ply overlay is very common in older houses and rarely in the first quote.
Underfloor heating
Changes the adhesive, underlay and material choice — not everything is compatible.
Layout complexity
Herringbone and diagonal layouts add 20–40% labour and waste compared with straight plank.
Room count and transitions
Thresholds, door undercutting and skirting or beading are per-room costs.
Regional pricing differences
Materials cost roughly the same everywhere in the UK; labour does not. Use the region selector above to apply a local index — London and the South East typically run 15–30% above the national average, while the North East, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire sit below it.
Labour vs materials
Roughly 42% of this type of work is labour and 58% materials. Materials usually lead on wood and tile; labour leads where the subfloor needs levelling or where the pattern is complex.
Common hidden costs
- Lifting and disposing of the old floor covering, especially bonded vinyl or tiles.
- Removing and refitting skirting boards for a neater finish.
- Trimming internal doors after a build-up increase.
- Acclimatisation time for wood products — usually 48–72 hours on site before fitting.
How to save money
- Use one material throughout an open plan area — fewer transitions and less waste.
- Choose a straight plank layout instead of herringbone.
- Buy flooring in a single delivery to avoid batch shade differences and repeat delivery charges.
- Ask for the subfloor preparation to be priced explicitly, not as a provisional allowance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does flooring cost per m² fitted?
£45–£135 per m² in 2026 depending on material, before subfloor preparation.
Is LVT better than laminate?
LVT is more water-resistant and quieter; good laminate is harder-wearing underfoot. Both are far cheaper than engineered wood.
Do I need underlay?
For floating floors yes. For glued LVT and tiles, no — but the subfloor must be flat to within about 3mm over 2m.
Can I lay flooring over existing tiles?
Often yes with the right primer and levelling compound, but check heights at doors and thresholds first.
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