Laminate is a popular option among UK homeowners due to its appearance, relatively low cost and durability. Unlike vinyl flooring, laminate withstands items dropped from a great height and takes a hammering from children and pets.
But how much does laminate flooring fitting cost, and can you lay it yourself?
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Hiring A Professional Floor Fitter
Before hiring a professional floor fitter, consider the following points:
- Any existing flooring must be removed. Unlike taking rubbish to the tip, professionals are charged for waste disposal, which is a cost that the tradesman will pass on to you, as will any requirement to remove furniture from the room before work can begin.
- Depending on your property and its construction, an installation job may not simply be a case of disposing of the old flooring and fitting a new one.
- Additional costs could include levelling the floor (potentially up to £20 per square metre*), trimming doors (approx. £50 for each door*) and a damp-proof membrane.
- There will also be the potential cost of replacing or supplying skirting boards and/or adding beading. Depending on the material, Scotia beading can cost around £5–£10* per length.
*Prices are based on information obtained via MyBuilder.com.
Laminate Flooring Fitting Costs
You’ll pay anything from £5 for a basic laminate to £25 per square metre for higher-end material. Labour costs range from £8 to £12 per square metre or a day rate of £150–£200.
Average rates in the table below are based on data collated by ‘Which?‘. Costs include standard laminate and underlay materials, plus labour. Prices do not include VAT and will vary depending on your location.
Assuming you only need to have underlay and laminate slats fitted, the table below provides average costs based on standard room sizes.
| Room Size | Details | Average Cost | Cost Range | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small room | Approx room size 3.05m x 1.83m | £315 | £280–£350 | 2–4 hours |
| Medium room | Approx room size 3.05m x 3.66m | £490 | £400–£580 | 4–6 hours |
| Large room | Approx room size 5.35m x 4.57m | £900 | £830–£970 | 4–8 hours |
Please note that this information is displayed as a guide only, so you must obtain a full written quotation. As always, consider any additional services you may need, as mentioned above.
DIY Laminate Floor Fitting
If you are a pretty confident DIYer and have tackled a few home-improvement tasks already, there’s no reason why you couldn’t fit the laminate floor yourself. The boards come with a tongue and groove quick fit and may or may not require glueing.
For an overview and quick visual tutorial, take a look at the video below:
Now that you know what’s involved, you must consider what equipment you’ll need and any other materials needed to complete the job.
If you have these tools on hand or can borrow them, you’ll save yourself labour charges and associated costs such as furniture removal and waste disposal.
Tools & Materials
- Handsaw Or Circular Saw
- Jigsaw (For Cutting Out Around Pipes, Doors, Toilets, etc.)
- Safety Goggles
- Pencil For Marking
- Measuring Tape
- Installation Kit (e.g., Laminate Flooring Pull Bar, Hammering Block, Spacers)
- Hammer
Fitting Laminate Flooring — Pro Tips
- When measuring the room to determine how much flooring is required, add 10% of the required amount to allow for wastage. You’ll also need to check the level of the floor to ensure a flat and even finish.
- Let the wood acclimatise for 48 hours before use. A constant temperature is required during — and 3 days after — fitting to allow for any potential expansion and contraction, which any changes in temperature and humidity can cause.
- In addition to the above, you’ll need to allow a 10mm gap between the floor and the wall to give the material room in case any expansion should occur. Use the spacers supplied in your installation kit (purchased separately).
- When choosing your underlay, first consider the type of base on which you’re laying the floor. You’ll need to opt for a damp-proof membrane if laying over concrete. If you have underfloor heating, choose an underlay with even heat distribution.
- Other materials you may need include skirting board and/or beading, which should adequately hide the expansion gap and provide a neat finish.
- Create a ‘staggered’ look when laying the laminate. As discussed in this post, there should be around an 8-inch difference between the ends of the adjoining boards.
Craig Phillips from the Home Channel demonstrates how to lay your laminate flooring in the video below:
Don’t fancy doing this job yourself? Find top-rated laminate floor fitters in your area by clicking the button below:
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering DIY, the experts in the videos above make the job look straightforward. Based on the above information, you should weigh the available tools and resources against the cost of hiring someone to do the job for you.
Of course, if time is an issue, the best option would be to hire someone to complete the job for you, which you can do through Rated People.
When obtaining a quote, remember these key tips:
- Get a price per job, not per hour
- Obtain a selection of at least three quotations
- Ask for your quotations to be itemised, including material, labour, and any additional costs mentioned above
- Ask to see reviews/testimonials