The short answer
Having flooring fitted in the UK typically costs £10–£30 per square metre in labour, separate from the cost of the flooring itself, with most fitters charging a day rate of around £150–£300. The figure depends mainly on the floor type: carpet is usually the lowest-priced to fit at roughly £5–£11/m², laminate around £10–£15/m², and LVT or engineered wood higher at about £15–£25/m² because they demand a flatter, better-prepared subfloor. Levelling compound, underlay, gripper rods and lifting the old floor are usually priced on top. The main drivers are your room size, the floor you pick and the state of the subfloor.
Flooring is usually quoted in two parts: the floor itself, and the labour to fit it. The figures below are typical labour ranges for guidance, not quotations — the material and any subfloor work are extra.
Typical UK fitting labour
- Carpet£5–£11 / m²
- Laminate£10–£15 / m²
- LVT£15–£25 / m²
- Engineered wood£15–£25 / m²
- Fitter day rate~£150–£300
What drives the fitting price
- Floor type: click-together laminate is quick; LVT and engineered wood take longer and need a flatter subfloor, so they cost more per metre to fit.
- Room size & shape: you largely pay per metre, but small or awkward rooms with lots of cuts and doorways can carry a minimum or day-rate charge.
- Subfloor condition: if the existing floor is uneven, levelling compound or ply overlay adds cost and time before the new floor goes down.
- Extras: underlay, gripper rods, beading, thresholds and removing the old floor are usually itemised separately.
| Floor type | Typical fitting labour | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | £5–£11 / m² | lowest-priced to fit |
| Laminate | £10–£15 / m² | fast click-fit |
| LVT | £15–£25 / m² | needs flat subfloor |
| Engineered wood | £15–£25 / m² | glue or click, careful prep |
Indicative UK labour figures for guidance. Sources: MyBuilder and MyJobQuote cost guides.
Why prep is where quotes really differ
The flooring price is easy to compare; the preparation is where two quotes for the same room can diverge. A subfloor that needs levelling compound, a plywood overlay or damp treatment adds labour and materials before a single board is laid. Lifting and disposing of an old carpet or tiled floor is also extra. A quote that looks lower because it assumes a perfect subfloor and excludes removal is not really lower — it just moves the cost to the day. Ask for prep, underlay and waste removal to be listed so you are comparing the same job.
Want a clear flooring quote?
Get matched with a vetted flooring fitter who measures your room and quotes on a clear specification — floor type, square metres, subfloor prep and underlay all set out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fit flooring in the UK?
Fitting labour is typically £10–£30 per square metre depending on the floor type, separate from the cost of the flooring itself. Carpet is usually the lowest-priced to fit, laminate sits in the middle, and LVT and engineered wood are higher because they need more subfloor preparation.
What is a typical flooring fitter day rate?
Most UK flooring fitters work to a day rate of roughly £150–£300, with London and the South East at the higher end. Small or awkward rooms are often charged at a day rate or minimum rather than purely per metre.
Why is the fitting price range so wide?
Because rooms and floors differ. The floor type, the size and shape of the room, the condition of the subfloor and your region all move the figure. A measured quote gives the accurate number for your room.
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.