New flooring costs in the UK typically range from £8–£30 per m² for materials and labour combined, depending on the flooring type, room size and any subfloor preparation needed.
Flooring Cost per m² — Quick Reference Table
The table below covers typical combined costs (materials + fitting) for the most common flooring types in the UK. All prices are per square metre and cover a mid-range product with standard installation. Premium products and difficult subfloors will cost more.
| Flooring Type | Materials /m² | Fitting Labour /m² | Combined /m² | 20m² room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet (twist/loop) | £8–£25 | £3–£6 | £11–£31 | £220–£620 |
| Laminate (8–12mm) | £8–£25 | £5–£8 | £13–£33 | £260–£660 |
| Vinyl / SPC click | £5–£20 | £5–£8 | £10–£28 | £200–£560 |
| LVT (Karndean/Amtico) | £20–£60 | £12–£18 | £32–£78 | £640–£1,560 |
| Engineered wood (straight) | £25–£80 | £15–£22 | £40–£102 | £800–£2,040 |
| Engineered wood (herringbone) | £25–£80 | £20–£35 | £45–£115 | £900–£2,300 |
Prices shown are estimates for guidance. Labour costs vary by region. Contact FitFloors for a free written quote in Birmingham.
What Affects Flooring Cost?
Four factors determine what you actually pay:
- Flooring type — the biggest variable. Carpet is the cheapest to buy and fit. LVT and engineered wood cost significantly more in both materials and labour.
- Room size — most fitters charge per m², so a larger room costs more in total but sometimes less per m² (less wastage). Awkward shapes, alcoves and bay windows increase waste and fitting time.
- Subfloor condition — an uneven or damaged subfloor needs levelling before fitting, which adds cost. Expect £8–£20 per m² for self-levelling compound or screeding. A flat, sound subfloor adds nothing.
- Materials quality — there is a wide range within each flooring type. A £10/m² laminate and a £25/m² laminate are both laminates, but the thickness, finish and acoustic properties differ considerably. Fitting cost stays similar regardless of the product quality.
Materials vs Fitting — What's the Split?
Understanding what you pay for materials and what you pay for labour helps you budget and compare quotes.
For most flooring types, materials account for 60–75% of the total cost. Labour is 25–40%. Premium products push the material share higher. LVT and engineered wood are exceptions — fitting is more skilled and time-intensive, so labour represents a higher proportion.
FitFloors is a labour-only fitter. We quote for fitting only — you purchase the materials from any retailer (B&Q, Carpetright, Flooring Superstore, directly from Karndean or Amtico). This means you can shop around for the best material price without paying a showroom markup.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Options
Cheapest: sheet vinyl or a basic loop carpet with standard underlay. Materials from £5/m², fitting from £3/m². A budget kitchen or hallway floor can be done for £8–£15/m² combined.
Mid-range: 8–10mm laminate or good-quality twist carpet. Most UK bedrooms and living rooms fall in the £15–£25/m² combined range.
Premium: Karndean LVT or engineered wood in herringbone. Materials alone can reach £60–£80/m², plus £20–£35/m² for herringbone fitting labour. A 20m² open-plan floor can cost £1,600–£2,300 fully installed.
How to Get the Best Price on Flooring
- Buy materials yourself — retailer prices are nearly always lower than showroom prices with fitting included. Use the retailer's own sale events; LVT and laminate go on sale regularly.
- Get multiple fitting quotes — fitting labour varies between companies. Ask for written quotes so you can compare like for like.
- Do multiple rooms in one visit — fitters can offer better rates when they're fitting several rooms at once. A whole-house carpet fit will have a lower per-m² labour rate than a single bedroom.
- Sort your subfloor before the fitter quotes — a level, dry subfloor means no additional prep costs. Fixing a damp issue yourself before calling a fitter will save money.