Flooring installation is the supply and fitting of a new floor finish, such as laminate, luxury vinyl tile, engineered wood or solid wood, over a properly levelled and prepared subfloor, with underlay, trims and thresholds finished neatly.
We supply and fit hard flooring in single rooms, open-plan spaces and whole houses. Our free site survey and written quote checks the subfloor, measures each room, looks for damp, uneven boards or old adhesive, and notes doors that may need trimming. We then explain the differences between laminate, LVT, engineered and solid wood, including how each copes with kitchens, bathrooms, underfloor heating, pets and children. New flooring suits anyone whose carpets or boards are worn, who is renovating, or who wants an easier floor to keep clean. We lift old coverings, prepare and level the subfloor, fit underlay and the new floor, and finish thresholds and skirtings neatly.
What’s included?
- Measured survey of each room and checks on the subfloor
- Lifting and disposal of old carpet, laminate or vinyl
- Subfloor repairs, levelling compound or plywood overlay where needed
- Damp-proof membrane and suitable underlay for your floor type
- Supply and fitting of your chosen flooring
- Door trimming so doors clear the new floor
- Threshold strips, scotia or skirting finished neatly
- Furniture moved within the room where agreed
Which options can you choose from?
How much does new flooring cost?
Most jobs fall between £1,200–£4,000 for about 20–25m² of laminate, LVT or engineered wood, supplied and fitted with preparation, including VAT at 20%. The table shows three typical levels of work; the figures are national guides, confirmed in writing after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate in one room | Around 15–20m² of laminate with underlay, trims and door trimming. | £600–£1,800 |
| LVT or engineered wood | Around 20–25m² of LVT or engineered wood, with levelling and moisture protection. | £1,200–£3,500 |
| Whole floor or solid wood | An open-plan ground floor, solid wood or herringbone, with extensive preparation. | £3,500–£9,000 |
What affects the price?
- Floor area and the number of rooms, stairs and doorways
- Flooring type, plank size and laying pattern
- Condition of the subfloor and any levelling needed
- Lifting and disposing of existing floor coverings
- Underfloor heating, moisture barriers and acoustic underlay
How do prices vary across the UK?
| Region | Guide price |
|---|---|
| London | £1,550–£5,200 |
| The South East | £1,350–£4,500 |
| The East of England | £1,250–£4,200 |
| The South West | £1,200–£4,100 |
| The West Midlands | £1,200–£3,900 |
| The East Midlands | £1,150–£3,800 |
| The North West | £1,150–£3,800 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £1,150–£3,800 |
| The North East | £1,100–£3,600 |
| Wales | £1,100–£3,700 |
| Scotland | £1,150–£3,800 |
| Northern Ireland | £1,050–£3,400 |
Regional figures apply typical labour and material cost differences to the national guide. They are not quotes.
Do you need planning permission for new flooring?
Laying a new floor finish does not usually need building regulations approval anywhere in the UK. Electric underfloor heating must be connected and certified by a qualified electrician, and flats may have lease terms on sound insulation.
England
Internal work such as a new kitchen, bathroom, flooring, plastering or decorating does not need planning permission in England, unless the house is listed, when listed building consent may be needed even for internal changes.
Some internal work is covered by Building Regulations: new electrical circuits and work in bathrooms (Part P), new drainage, structural changes, extractor ventilation and any new window. Notifiable work is certified by a registered installer or by building control.
Wales
Internal improvements do not need planning permission in Wales unless the building is listed.
Building Regulations in Wales cover notifiable electrical work, drainage, ventilation and any structural change.
Scotland
Internal improvements do not need planning permission in Scotland unless the building is listed.
Like-for-like kitchen and bathroom replacements do not normally need a building warrant, but structural changes and some drainage or heating alterations do, and electrical work must meet the building standards.
Northern Ireland
Internal improvements do not need planning permission in Northern Ireland unless the building is listed.
The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) apply to structural work, drainage and ventilation; electrical work should be tested and certified.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 1–2 days per room, longer if levelling is needed. Lead times for materials, drawings and approvals come before that and are set out in your written quote.
How does the job run?
Free site survey
We visit, measure up, look at access and the condition of what’s there, and talk through options and budget with you.
Written quote
You get a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification, what’s included, the payment stages and a likely start window.
Plan and prepare
We sort drawings, approvals and materials, agree dates with you and explain what to expect each week before work starts.
Build and hand over
The work is carried out, checked and cleared away. We walk round it with you and pass on certificates and product details.
Flooring: frequently asked questions
How much does new flooring cost?
New flooring for a typical 20–25m² room costs £1,200–£4,000 supplied and fitted, depending on the material and the state of the subfloor. As a guide, allow roughly £45–£140 per square metre including underlay and fitting, with laminate at the lower end and engineered or solid wood at the top. Herringbone patterns, levelling and stairs add cost. We confirm a fixed price after measuring each room.
Which flooring is right for a kitchen or bathroom?
Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is usually the most practical choice for kitchens and bathrooms, because it is water-resistant, warm underfoot and comfortable to stand on. Porcelain tiles also suit wet areas. Standard laminate and solid wood can swell if water sits on them, though some water-resistant laminates are available. We recommend a floor based on how the room is used.
Can I have wood flooring with underfloor heating?
Engineered wood and LVT both work well with underfloor heating, because they are stable and transfer heat efficiently. Solid wood is less suitable, as it can move and gap as temperatures change. The flooring and underlay must be approved for use with the heating system, and floor temperatures need limiting. We check the manufacturer's guidance before recommending a product.
How long does it take to lay a floor?
Laying a floor in an average room usually takes one to two days. Open-plan spaces, herringbone patterns and floors needing levelling compound take longer, because the compound must dry before the floor goes down. Some products also need to acclimatise in the room for a day or two before fitting. We confirm timings for your rooms with the written quote.
What preparation does the subfloor need?
A good floor starts with a flat, dry, sound subfloor. Concrete floors may need a damp-proof membrane and levelling compound, while timber floors may need loose boards fixing and a plywood overlay. Old adhesive, tiles or vinyl may have to be removed. Skipping preparation causes creaking, gaps and uneven wear. We check the subfloor at the survey and include preparation in the price.
What do I need to do before the fitters arrive?
Before fitting day, clear small items, ornaments and anything fragile from the room, and empty cupboards and wardrobes that stand on the floor. Let us know about heavy furniture so we can agree who moves it. Make sure the heating is set to a normal temperature so the flooring acclimatises properly. If you have pets, keep them out of the room while we work.
Will my doors need trimming?
Doors often need trimming after new flooring is fitted, because the combined height of the underlay and floor is usually greater than old carpet or vinyl. We take each door off, trim the bottom by the right amount and rehang it so it clears the new floor. Threshold strips are then fitted where the new floor meets another surface.
How do I look after a new floor?
Looking after a new floor is mostly about keeping grit off it, because grit acts like sandpaper. Use doormats, sweep or vacuum regularly and clean with a damp, not wet, mop using a cleaner made for that floor type. Put felt pads under furniture legs. Oiled wood floors need occasional re-oiling, while lacquered wood, laminate and LVT just need regular cleaning.