How much does wood flooring cost in the UK?
Wood flooring costs £55 to £150 in the UK, typically around £90 per m². What moves the price most is total area in square metres, 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.
Wood flooring is priced by the square metre, supplied and fitted. Engineered wood is cheaper than solid hardwood, and the subfloor condition and fitting method change the labour.
Wood flooring cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your wood flooring in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Wood flooring cost breakdown
Typical wood flooring costs, by the unit:
| What | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Per m², supplied and fitted | £55 to £150 per m² |
| + Solid hardwood (not engineered) | add £25 to £60 per m² |
| + Subfloor levelling | add £10 to £25 per m² |
| 10 m² | £550 to £1,500 |
| 20 m² (typical) | £1,100 to £3,000 |
| 40 m² | £2,200 to £6,000 |
What's included in the price?
Typical wood flooring prices include:
- Floor preparation and underlay
- Flooring supplied and fitted
- Beading, thresholds and trims
- Offcut and waste removal
What changes the price?
The things that move wood flooring prices most:
Total area in square metres
Engineered wood is cheaper than solid hardwood; laminate is cheaper still
Subfloor condition and any levelling
Fitting method: floating, glued or nailed, and the board pattern
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, wood flooring typically costs around £120 per m², about 30% above the UK average of £90. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £85.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £55 | £90 | £150 |
| London | £70 | £120 | £200 |
| South East / South West | £65 | £100 | £170 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £50 | £85 | £140 |
Guide prices per m², scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Wood flooring cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £45 | £75 | £130 |
| Birmingham | £55 | £90 | £150 |
| Bristol | £60 | £100 | £170 |
| Cardiff | £50 | £85 | £140 |
| Edinburgh | £55 | £90 | £150 |
| Glasgow | £50 | £80 | £140 |
| Leeds | £50 | £85 | £140 |
| Liverpool | £50 | £85 | £140 |
| London | £70 | £120 | £200 |
| Manchester | £55 | £85 | £140 |
| Newcastle | £50 | £80 | £140 |
| Sheffield | £50 | £85 | £140 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for wood flooring, not quotes.
Fairly consistent nationally, with London a little higher on labour.
Common questions
How much does it cost to fit wood flooring in a room?
A typical 20 square metre room costs roughly £1,100 to £3,000 in engineered wood, supplied and fitted. Solid hardwood costs more, laminate less.
Is engineered wood cheaper than solid wood?
Yes. Engineered boards use a thinner real-wood top layer on a stable core, so they cost less than solid hardwood and cope better with underfloor heating and moisture.
Is wood flooring cheaper than carpet?
No, carpet is cheaper to buy and fit. Wood flooring at £55 to £150 per m² fitted earns its keep over time: engineered boards last decades and solid wood can be sanded and refinished several times, where carpet is typically replaced every 10 years or so. If you plan to stay put, wood usually works out reasonable value; for a quick refresh before selling, carpet is the cheaper lever.
Can wood flooring go over underfloor heating?
Engineered wood, yes: its layered construction handles the temperature cycling, within the floor-temperature limit the manufacturer states. Solid wood is risky over underfloor heating because it moves with heat and moisture, and many suppliers will not warranty it. This is one of the main reasons engineered boards have become the default choice.
Do I need subfloor work before wood flooring?
Often, and it is the cost people miss. Boards need a flat, dry base, so levelling compound or ply adds £10 to £25 per m² where the subfloor is uneven. A good fitter checks moisture in a concrete subfloor before laying anything; skipping that check is how new floors end up cupping within a year.
Can I lay wood flooring myself?
Yes, a click-fit engineered floor is one of the more DIY-friendly jobs, and doing it yourself saves the fitting labour within the £55 to £150 per m2 range. You still buy the boards, underlay and any trims. The catches are subfloor prep, getting it flat and dry, and neat cuts around doorways and pipes. Glued or nailed solid boards are far trickier, so leave those to a fitter unless you are experienced.
Does wood flooring add value when you sell?
It helps a sale more than most flooring, but rarely returns the full £55 to £150 per m2 you spend. Buyers like real wood underfoot and it photographs well, so it can speed a sale, yet few will pay a clear premium for it over good laminate. Fit it mainly because you want to live with it, and treat any effect on price as a small bonus rather than the reason.
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.