How much does laminate flooring cost to fit in the UK?
Laminate flooring costs £20 to £45 in the UK, typically around £30 per m². What moves the price most is board quality and thickness, so a simpler job sits near the bottom of that range and a larger or higher-spec one near the top. Prices reviewed June 2026.
Laminate flooring is priced by the square metre supplied and fitted, with the board quality and any subfloor preparation making the difference. Fitting-only rates are lower if you supply the boards.
Laminate flooring cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your laminate flooring in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Laminate flooring cost breakdown
Typical laminate flooring costs, by the unit:
| What | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Per m², supplied and fitted | £20 to £45 per m² |
| + Underlay | add £3 to £6 per m² |
| + Subfloor levelling | add £8 to £20 per m² |
| + Uplift old flooring | add £2 to £5 per m² |
| 10 m² | £200 to £450 |
| 20 m² (typical) | £400 to £900 |
| 40 m² | £800 to £1,800 |
What's included in the price?
Typical laminate flooring prices include:
- Laminate boards, supplied and laid
- Underlay
- Beading and door bars
- Trimming and finishing
What changes the price?
The things that move laminate flooring prices most:
Board quality and thickness
Underlay type
Whether the subfloor needs levelling
Uplifting old flooring
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, laminate flooring typically costs around £40 per m², about 30% above the UK average of £30. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £30.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £20 | £30 | £45 |
| London | £25 | £40 | £60 |
| South East / South West | £25 | £35 | £50 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £20 | £30 | £40 |
Guide prices per m², scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Laminate flooring cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £15 | £25 | £40 |
| Birmingham | £20 | £30 | £45 |
| Bristol | £20 | £35 | £50 |
| Cardiff | £20 | £30 | £40 |
| Edinburgh | £20 | £30 | £45 |
| Glasgow | £20 | £25 | £40 |
| Leeds | £20 | £30 | £40 |
| Liverpool | £20 | £30 | £40 |
| London | £25 | £40 | £60 |
| Manchester | £20 | £30 | £45 |
| Newcastle | £20 | £25 | £40 |
| Sheffield | £20 | £30 | £40 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for laminate flooring, not quotes.
Fairly consistent nationally, with London and the South East a little higher on labour.
Common questions
How much does it cost to fit laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring costs roughly £20 to £45 per m² supplied and fitted in the UK, typically around £30, so a 20 square metre room is about £400 to £900. Fitting-only labour, where you supply the boards, is nearer £8 to £15 per m². Underlay adds a few pounds per m², and levelling an uneven subfloor adds £8 to £20 per m².
How much does it cost to floor a room with laminate?
A typical 12 by 12 foot room, around 13 square metres, usually costs £300 to £600 to floor with laminate supplied and fitted, depending on the board quality. A larger lounge of 20 square metres is more like £400 to £900. The board choice moves the price most, with thicker, better-wearing laminate costing more than budget ranges.
Is laminate cheaper than LVT or engineered wood?
Yes, laminate is usually the cheapest of the wood-effect floors at £20 to £45 per m² fitted, against £30 to £70 for LVT and more again for engineered or solid wood. Laminate is hard-wearing and easy to lay, but it is less water-resistant than LVT and cannot be sanded like real wood. It is the value choice where budget matters more than the premium feel.
Do I need underlay under laminate flooring?
Yes. Laminate needs an underlay to cushion it, reduce noise and even out small imperfections in the subfloor, and on a concrete floor a damp-proof underlay is important to stop moisture damaging the boards. Skipping the underlay leads to a hollow, noisy floor that wears faster, so it is a small cost worth including rather than saving on.
Does the subfloor need preparing before laminate?
It should be flat, dry and clean. Small dips and bumps show through laminate and can make the joints click or fail over time, so an uneven subfloor may need levelling compound, which adds £8 to £20 per m². A good fitter checks the subfloor and moisture before laying; skipping that check is the main reason laminate floors lift or gap within a year.
Can I fit laminate flooring myself?
Yes, laminate is one of the more DIY-friendly floors, since the click-together boards need no glue and basic tools. Fitting it yourself saves the labour on a £20 to £45 per m² job, so on a 20m² room that is a real saving. Buy underlay at £3 to £6 per m² and take time over the first row and the door thresholds. The one thing not to skip is a flat, dry subfloor, or the joints lift later.
Does laminate flooring add value when selling?
It helps a room show well more than it adds hard value. At £20 to £45 per m², laminate is a cheap way to make a tired floor look clean and consistent for viewings, which can help a sale. Buyers rarely pay a premium for it though, and many see it as a step below engineered wood or LVT. Fit it because you want a fresh floor to live on, not as an investment.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.