Want to know how much it will cost to install laminate flooring?
On average, floor fitters charge between £180 – 300 as their day rate, for labour only. However if the job is simple they might not need a whole day so they often charge per m².
Laminate flooring costs can be as low as £10 per m² but go up to £60 per m², depending on the quality.
Laminate is a trendy flooring choice as it is good value, easy to maintain and highly durable. It is scratch-resistant and mostly water-resistant, making it both pet-friendly and family-friendly. Laminate is made from artificial materials and comes in various colours, patterns and finishes.
With such a variety, knowing where to start and whether this type of flooring suits you and your budget can be challenging. If you want to learn more about how much it costs to install laminate flooring, keep reading!
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Contents
How much does it cost to fit laminate flooring?
The average cost to lay laminate flooring is £400 for a room of 20 m² (labour costs only). That works out as £20 per m² on average for the labour cost to lay laminate flooring.
For the laminate flooring itself, you can pay between £10 per m² for a basic laminate to around £60 per m² for high-quality laminate.
However, the cost to install laminate flooring can vary greatly depending on different factors such as the:
- Type of laminate you choose
- Shape of your room
- Condition of the subfloor
The table below shows the approximate average costs to have laminate flooring fitted. These are ballpark figures – post a job to get accurate quotes from floor fitters near you.
| Cost element | Unit | Price – low | Price – high |
| Labour cost | Per day | £180 | £300 |
| Labour cost | Per m² | £10 | £30 |
| Labour cost | Per room | £200 | £800 |
| Laminate flooring (materials only) | Per m² | £10 | £60 |
| Carpet or old flooring removal | Per m² | £6 | £15 |
| Floor screeding | Per m² | £6 | £30 |
| Underlay | Per m² | £1.20 | £10 |
| Replacing skirting boards | Per 1m length | £7 | £20 |
| Beading | Per 2.4m length | £2 | £6 |
| Door trimming | Per door | £25 | £55 |
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What factors affect the cost of laminate flooring installation?
Size and shape of the room
The size of the room will impact the cost, but the shape of the room will also affect the cost of laying laminate flooring. If your room has alcoves, bay windows or a chimney breast, it isn’t a straightforward job for the floor fitter. They will have to cut around the edges, meaning the job will take longer, resulting in a higher labour cost.
Location
Where you are based can also have an impact on the cost. If you live in a town where floor fitters are in high demand, you can expect to pay a premium price. Additionally, labour costs in London are higher than those in cities located in the north.
Floor preparation
The condition of your original flooring will have an impact on the cost to lay laminate flooring. It must be level and in good condition before laying laminate flooring on top. Installing laminate on an uneven floor can cause the laminate to bend and reduce the life expectancy of your laminate flooring.
Some houses have floorboards or chipboard flooring which need to be checked to make sure that they are secure, and that they don’t have any protruding nails.
Concrete floors can be cold, uneven, and rough, so to ensure a smooth and even finish, you may need to have new concrete laid (screeded) which would add to your costs considerably.
If the floor fitter needs to remove old carpet or flooring and skirting boards, this would also be an additional cost, up to £15 per m².
Underlay
Once the floor is prepared, you need underlay. Choosing underlay is as important as the flooring itself as it provides many benefits, such as:
- Better insulation
- Underfoot comfort
- Sound absorption
- Shock absorption
Generally, the thicker the underlay and the higher the TOG (thermal overall grade), the more expensive it will be. Any underlay with a rating of over 2.0 is considered to be a good insulator.
There are various underlays, but your floor fitter should recommend which underlay you should have, depending on your budget and what job it needs to do.
Polyfoam is an affordable option with a thickness of about 2mm. If you want to minimise sound and create warmth, you’re better off having a heavy-duty thermal underlay or foil-backed foam which will be at a higher price, ranging from £3 – 10 per m². If you are having underfloor heating, thermal underlay is advisable.
A 5mm fibreboard underlay is a popular choice for laminate flooring because it helps smooth uneven floors, reduces noise and acts as an excellent thermal insulator. However, you would choose something other than this for your bathroom, as wood and water don’t mix well!
If you are laying on a concrete floor or in a room that risks getting damp, you should have a damp-proof membrane which the foil foams have built into them.
Type of laminate flooring
Laminate flooring consists of multiple layers of synthetic material designed to imitate the appearance of wood or tile. You can choose from various types – from oak and walnut to ceramic and stone. A locking system fits them together.
The most expensive types of laminate flooring have a thicker, longer lasting wear layer and a better quality image, resulting in a more durable plank and realistic finish.
The better the quality of the locking system, the more expensive it will be, and if it is waterproof or water-resistant, the cost will rise further.
The more complex the flooring design, such as herringbone or chevron, the longer it will take to install, and consequently, increase the cost to lay laminate flooring.
Beading / skirting boards
It is necessary to leave an expansion gap around the room when you have laminate flooring installed; so after laying the flooring, the floor fitter will need to hide these gaps.
Floor fitters can lay skirting boards on top of the flooring, which would cost around £14 per metre. A cheaper option is beading, a strip that your floor fitter will fit to cover up the gap, at approximately £4 per 2.4m.
Door trimming
Some cases of laminate flooring installation may require trimming the bottom of the doors. The cost of this can vary depending on whether it is a lightweight internal door (approx. £30) or a heavy external door (£55).
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Laminate flooring vs. wood flooring
Solid wood flooring is what it says on the tin, whereas laminate flooring is an imitation of solid wood flooring but is much less expensive.
Solid wood flooring is thicker, usually around ¾ inch, whereas laminate flooring is thinner at ¼ to ½ inch. Here we look at the pros and cons of each:
| Floor type | Pros | Cons | Average price per m² |
| Laminate | Affordable. Easy to clean. Scratch-resistant. Quick to install. Cheaper labour costs. Easy to maintain. |
Can’t be restored. Less longevity. |
£10 – 60 |
| Wood | Can be restored numerous of times. Long lifespan. Authentic. Adds value to your home. |
More complex to install. Higher labour costs. High material costs. Requires careful maintenance. |
£30 – 100 |
| Engineered wood | Compatible with underfloor heating. Strong and durable. Easy to install. Stable. Authentic look. |
Can be restored limited times. Requires careful maintenance. Material costs can be high. |
£20 – 100 |
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Solid wood installation follows a tongue and groove fitting method, which requires nailing or gluing.
In contrast, laminate flooring installation is much easier as laminate floors are manufactured with a locking system and don’t require nails or glue.
Engineered wood flooring is another option, which consists of a top layer of solid hardwood bonded with modern adhesives to a plywood base. This type of flooring is a good alternative if authenticity is important to you but you can’t afford hardwood flooring.
For more information on wood flooring, visit our wooden floor fitters guide.
Laminate flooring installation FAQ
What is the cost of underlay?
Polyfoam is the most affordable option at approximately £1.20 per m² and has a thickness of about 2mm. If you want to minimise sound and warmth, you’re better off having a heavy-duty thermal underlay or foil-backed foam which will be at a higher price, ranging from £3 – 10 per m². If you are having underfloor heating, thermal underlay is advisable.
Want to get accurate quotes for your flooring project? Post a job now to compare quotes from floor fitters near you.