The short answer
Engineered wood typically costs around £15–£25 per square metre in fitting labour, with the boards themselves usually £25–£45/m², so an all-in supply-and-fit figure commonly falls around £43–£75 per square metre. It is a real-wood top layer bonded to a stable plywood or HDF core, so it looks like solid wood but copes better with underfloor heating and moisture. Fitting costs more than laminate because the boards are often glued or secret-nailed and the subfloor must be flat and dry, though many ranges also click together as a floating floor. Your final figure depends on the board grade and thickness, the fitting method and how much subfloor preparation your room needs.
Engineered wood gives the look of a solid timber floor with more stability, which makes it popular over concrete and underfloor heating. It costs more to fit than laminate — here is how the labour and all-in figures break down.
Typical UK engineered wood costs
- Fitting labour£15–£25 / m²
- Boards~£25–£45 / m²
- All-in installed~£43–£75 / m²
- Fits asclick, glue or secret-nail
- Suitsover concrete & UFH
What you pay for
- Fitting labour: around £15–£25/m² — similar to LVT and higher than laminate because of the prep and, often, glue or nailing.
- The boards: roughly £25–£45/m², with thicker wear layers and wider planks costing more.
- Fitting method: click (floating), glued-down or secret-nailed — glue-down and nailed floors take longer than a floating click fit.
- Subfloor prep: a flat, dry base is essential; levelling or a damp check adds cost where needed.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting labour | £15–£25 / m² | by method & prep |
| Boards | £25–£45 / m² | by wear layer & width |
| All-in installed | £43–£75 / m² | boards + labour |
| Subfloor prep | extra | levelling / damp check |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: BookaBuilderUK and trade cost guides.
Click, glue or nail — and why it matters
Engineered wood can be fitted three ways, and the method affects both cost and result. Click (floating) floors are quickest, resting on underlay like laminate. Glue-down bonds each board to the subfloor for a solid, quiet floor that suits underfloor heating, but takes longer and needs a pristine base. Secret-nailing is used over timber subfloors. Whichever method, the subfloor must be flat and dry, so levelling and a damp check are common added items. The board's wear layer also matters: a thicker top veneer can be sanded and refinished years later, which a thin one cannot.
Want an engineered wood quote?
Get matched with a vetted flooring fitter who checks your subfloor and quotes engineered wood on a clear specification — board grade, fitting method, prep and underlay all set out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does engineered wood flooring cost?
Fitting labour is typically around £15–£25 per square metre, with the boards usually £25–£45/m². An all-in supply-and-fit figure commonly lands around £43–£75 per square metre, depending on the board grade, the fitting method and any subfloor prep.
Is engineered wood more expensive to fit than laminate?
Yes — engineered wood is often glued or secret-nailed and needs a flat, dry subfloor, so labour is typically £15–£25/m² against laminate's £10–£15/m² quick floating fit.
Can engineered wood be used with underfloor heating?
Usually yes — its plywood or HDF core is more stable than solid timber, which makes it well suited to underfloor heating. Confirm the specific board and fitting method are rated for heating and that the underlay is compatible.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific room and subfloor. They are guidance, not a quotation.