— Cost · 7 min read · Updated July 2026
UK flooring cost guide — materials, fitting and hidden extras
A '£15/m² floor' is almost never £15/m² by the time it's on your floor. Here are honest 2026 UK numbers — material, fitting, prep and extras — for a typical 20m² room.
Material cost per m² (RRP-ish)
Budget laminate £9-14 · Mid laminate £15-25 · LVT click £19-45 · Herringbone LVT £30-60 · SPC £22-40 · Engineered wood £35-90 · Solid oak £60-130 · Carpet (polypropylene twist) £10-18 · Carpet (80/20 wool) £25-55 · Sheet vinyl £10-22 · Artificial grass £15-40.
Fitting cost per m²
Carpet fit £8-12 · Laminate/LVT click £10-15 · Glue-down LVT £15-22 · Engineered wood float £15-22 · Engineered wood glue £22-30 · Herringbone £25-40 · Sheet vinyl £9-14 · Artificial grass £20-30 (plus base prep). Add £150-300 minimum-job fees on rooms under 10m².
Prep and extras that catch people out
Self-levelling compound £8-15/m² · Lifting existing floor £3-6/m² · Skip hire £180-320 · Scotia beading £4-7/lm · Threshold strips £15-40 each · Uplifting furniture £30-80/room · Removing skirting (rare) £8-15/lm. On a 20m² lounge, prep can add £250-£500 before you touch the new floor.
Typical whole-room totals (20m²)
Budget laminate DIY: £180 material · Mid LVT with fitting: £900-1,400 · Engineered oak with fitting: £1,600-2,800 · Wool carpet with 10mm PU underlay and fitting: £900-1,600. Whole-house 3-bed refit typically lands £4,500-£9,000.
Frequently asked
Do fitters charge VAT?
Most established fitters do. Rough builders often don't — but you have no comeback if the job fails.
Is buying my own material and hiring a fitter cheaper?
Sometimes yes — but the fitter's warranty on the install often depends on approved materials. Ask before splitting.