Flooring Cost Calculator

Calculate flooring installation costs per m² for LVT, engineered hardwood, carpet, laminate, solid wood and tiles. UK 2026 supply and fit prices.

Room & Flooring Details

Supply: £18–£45/m²  ·  Fit: £15–£25/m²

10%

Use 10% for rectangular rooms. Use 15–20% for L-shaped rooms or rooms with alcoves, or for diagonal/herringbone patterns.

Levelling compound or ply boarding — £8–20/m². Needed when converting from carpet to hard flooring or when the existing floor is uneven.

Your Results

24.8 m²

Net room area

27.2 m²

Gross area (inc. 10% waste)

27.2 m²

Material to order

Cost Breakdown (midpoint estimates)

£858

Supply cost

£495

Fitting cost

£111

Underlay

Total Estimate

£936 – £1,992

Low–high range based on typical UK 2026 trade rates

£38 – £81/m²

Price per m² (net area)

Note: LVT/LVP is one of the most popular flooring choices in 2026 — waterproof, durable, and suitable for underfloor heating.

How to use this calculator

  • Prices are based on UK market rates for 2026 and represent typical supply-and-fit costs.
  • The waste allowance affects how much material you need to purchase, not the fitting cost.
  • London and South East rates include a 20% uplift — actual uplifts can vary from 10–35% depending on trade.
  • Subfloor preparation costs vary significantly — get a fitter to assess the floor before budgeting.
  • For complex rooms (herringbone, multiple thresholds, lots of cutting), request itemised quotes from at least two fitters.

Looking to quote flooring jobs professionally? Try the quote deposit calculator or job costing calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to floor a room in the UK in 2026?▾
Flooring costs in the UK in 2026 vary significantly by material. Laminate is the most affordable at around £20–40/m² supply and fit, while solid wood can reach £70–145/m². For a typical 20 m² living room, expect to pay £400–800 for laminate, £700–1,400 for LVT, £1,000–2,100 for engineered hardwood, or £1,400–2,900 for solid wood, including supply and fitting. London and South East prices are typically 15–25% higher.
Do I need underlay for all flooring types?▾
Most floating floors — laminate, engineered hardwood, and LVT — benefit from underlay, which adds cushioning, reduces sound transmission, and can improve thermal insulation. Carpet almost always requires underlay. However, glue-down LVT products like Amtico and Karndean are installed directly onto the subfloor and do not use underlay. Tiles are bedded directly in adhesive and also require no underlay. Check your specific product's installation requirements before purchasing.
What is subfloor preparation and when do I need it?▾
Subfloor preparation involves levelling, priming, or boarding the existing floor before the new flooring is laid. This is often needed when moving from carpet to hard flooring (to fill in gripper rod gaps), when floorboards are uneven, or when installing tiles (which require a very flat surface). Common methods include applying a self-levelling compound (£8–15/m²) or screwing down 6mm or 9mm ply sheets (£12–20/m²). Skipping subfloor prep on an uneven floor can cause premature wear, clicking noises, and tile cracking.
How much waste allowance should I add for flooring?▾
A 10% waste allowance is standard for rectangular rooms with straightforward plank or tile layouts. Increase this to 15% for L-shaped rooms, rooms with alcoves, or diagonal/herringbone installations. For large-format tiles in small rooms, 15–20% is sensible due to the high proportion of cut tiles. The waste allowance affects how much material you order — you always buy gross area, not net area.
Is it cheaper to supply and fit flooring, or buy materials separately?▾
Many flooring fitters offer a better total price when you use their supply-and-fit service, as they buy materials at trade prices. However, buying materials yourself (supply only) gives you more control over the product, lets you shop around, and means leftover material stays with you for future repairs. If you are purchasing supply only, add a contingency of at least 10% on the m² price to cover unexpected cutting errors. For fit-only quotes, ensure the fitter has seen the room before quoting — subfloor condition significantly affects fitting costs.
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