The short answer
Laminate flooring is usually one of the lowest-priced hard floors to have fitted, with labour of around £10–£15 per square metre. The boards themselves run roughly £8–£25/m² depending on quality, so an all-in figure with underlay and fitting often lands around £20–£50 per square metre. Laminate is quick to lay because it clicks together as a floating floor over underlay rather than being glued or nailed, which keeps labour down. The main extras are underlay, beading or scotia, thresholds, and any subfloor levelling if the existing floor is uneven. Your final figure depends on the board grade, the room size and the state of the subfloor.
Laminate is popular because it is hard-wearing, looks like wood and is one of the cheaper floors to fit. Here is what the labour and the all-in cost typically come to, and what to watch in a quote.
Typical UK laminate costs
- Fitting labour£10–£15 / m²
- Boards~£8–£25 / m²
- All-in (with underlay)~£20–£50 / m²
- Underlay~£3–£8 / m²
- Fits asfloating click floor
What you pay for
- Fitting labour: around £10–£15/m², lower than LVT or engineered wood because laminate clicks together quickly.
- The boards: roughly £8–£25/m² — thicker, AC-rated boards with a better wear layer cost more but last longer.
- Underlay: a few pounds per metre; a combined damp-membrane underlay costs a little more but is worth it on a concrete subfloor.
- Finishing: beading or scotia round the edges, plus door thresholds, are usually small added items.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting labour | £10–£15 / m² | quick floating fit |
| Boards | £8–£25 / m² | by thickness & AC rating |
| All-in installed | £20–£50 / m² | boards + underlay + labour |
| Underlay | £3–£8 / m² | damp membrane on concrete |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: MyBuilder and Checkatrade cost guides.
Why laminate is cheaper to fit
Laminate is a floating floor: the planks lock together and rest on underlay rather than being bonded to the subfloor. That means no glue drying time and no nailing, so a fitter can cover a room quickly. The trade-off is that the subfloor still needs to be reasonably flat — a floating floor over a bumpy base can flex and creak — so don't skip levelling where it's needed. Underlay does some smoothing and adds warmth and sound deadening, but it isn't a substitute for proper subfloor prep on a bad floor.
Want a laminate quote for your room?
Get matched with a vetted flooring fitter who measures up and quotes laminate on a clear specification — board grade, underlay, beading and any subfloor prep set out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fit laminate flooring?
Fitting labour is typically around £10–£15 per square metre. With boards and underlay included, an all-in figure often lands around £20–£50 per square metre depending on the board grade and the size of the room.
Is laminate cheaper to fit than LVT or engineered wood?
Usually yes. Laminate clicks together as a floating floor with no glue or nailing, so labour is lower — typically £10–£15/m² against roughly £15–£25/m² for LVT and engineered wood.
Do I need underlay under laminate?
Yes — laminate is a floating floor and needs underlay for cushioning, warmth and sound. On a concrete subfloor a combined damp-membrane underlay is normally used to stop moisture reaching the boards.
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.