Things to know
Subfloor preparation and a damp-proof membrane where needed are the single biggest predictor of whether wood or laminate flooring lasts. Skipping this to save time or cost is the most common cause of flooring failing months later. Price and name it on the quote as a distinct, necessary step, not something assumed as part of general fitting.
Engineered and solid wood flooring needs time to acclimatize to the room's humidity and temperature before fitting, typically 48-72 hours on site. This is a genuine scheduling consideration, not a delay you're inventing. State it clearly on the quote so a customer expecting delivery-to-fitted-in-one-day understands why the timeline includes a waiting period.
Furniture removal and moving is real labour that eats into a working day. It's worth pricing separately from the flooring itself, especially for larger rooms with heavy furniture. A customer who moves everything themselves beforehand should see a lower total than one expecting you to clear a fully furnished room. A broken-out line makes that difference visible.
Underlay and trim, including skirting and transition strips between rooms, are easy to treat as an afterthought, but they affect both the finished look and the floor's performance underfoot. List them as their own items instead of folding them into a flooring-per-square-metre rate that makes it hard to see what's actually included.
Typical flooring installer line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Lay engineered wood (floating) | per m² | £18–£30 |
| Lay engineered wood (glued down) | per m² | £25–£40 |
| Lay LVT (click) | per m² | £15–£25 |
| Carpet fitting incl. gripper | per m² | £6–£12 |
| Latex/self-levelling screed | per m² | £12–£25 |
| Moisture test of screed/subfloor | per job | £40–£90 |
| Uplift + dispose of existing flooring | per m² | £4–£10 |
| Door trimming + thresholds | per door | £15–£35 |
Common flooring installer jobs and how to price them
- Engineered wood and laminate
- Per m² with underlay, trims and door trimming listed separately.
- LVT and vinyl
- Per m², with levelling compound priced as provisional until the subfloor is checked.
- Carpets
- Per m² fitting, with stairs priced per step.
- Subfloor preparation
- Provisional line confirmed after uplift and a moisture test.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- BS 8201 / BS 8203 (timber and resilient floors) — codes of practice covering subfloor moisture limits, acclimatisation and installation. Quoting a moisture test before laying is standard.
- Building Regulations Part E (flats) — replacing floors in flats can affect sound insulation; leases often require an acoustic underlay with a stated rating. Check the lease and note the underlay spec.
- Underfloor heating compatibility — engineered wood, LVT and laminate have maximum surface temperatures and need compatible underlay. Mention UFH on the quote where present.
Payment terms flooring installers commonly use
- Flooring supplied by you: payment or a deposit before ordering, since cut-to-size stock is rarely returnable.
- Fit-only: payment on completion; levelling compound charged on actual quantities used.
- Commercial: 30 days, with any acclimatisation period written into the programme.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for flooring installers
VAT
Standard-rated at 20% once you are VAT-registered.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Carpet fitting is specifically excluded from CIS, so a builder should not deduct CIS from a carpet-fitting invoice.
Laying vinyl, linoleum, laminate and wood floors for a builder is within CIS — HMRC names these floor coverings, and only carpet is excluded.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Subfloor preparation and damp-proof membrane priced separately
- Material acclimatization time noted in the schedule
- Furniture removal and moving as its own line
- Underlay and trim itemised
- PDF download or shareable tracked link
Full guide
How to Start a Flooring Installation Business as a Sole Trader
Frequently asked questions
New or wet screeds can take weeks or months to dry. Laying wood or LVT over damp screed leads to cupping or adhesive failure. A moisture test is cheap insurance, and quoting it shows you do things properly.
Manufacturers usually recommend 48–72 hours in the room, packs opened, at normal living temperature. Follow the brand’s instructions and note it on the quote.
Often, yes. Many leases specify an acoustic rating to protect the flat below. Ask to see the lease clause and put the underlay specification on the quote.
It is safer as a provisional per-m² rate. You cannot see the subfloor until the old covering is up.
It's the biggest factor in whether flooring lasts. Skipping preparation or a damp-proof membrane to save cost is the most common cause of flooring failing within a year or two.
Engineered and solid wood needs 48-72 hours to acclimatize to the room's humidity and temperature. This affects the schedule and should be stated upfront, not treated as an unexplained delay.
State this explicitly — a room the customer clears themselves should cost less than one requiring the fitter to move furniture, and a separate line makes that difference clear.
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