How Much Does It Cost to Buy, Install and Maintain Flooring in Your Property?

Shopping for new flooring without knowing how much various types of flooring cost can be quite overwhelming. Not to mention how vast price differences in materials, installation methods, and maintenance can leave you confused.

So, we've created this guide to help you get a better understanding of all the costs associated with flooring so you can make choices that fit your budget!

How Much Does It Usually Cost to Buy New Flooring or Replace Old Flooring?

The cost of purchasing new flooring or replacing an old one can range between £5/m² and £160/m². This huge price difference is caused by several factors, the most important of which are:

• Flooring type
• Material quality
• Amount of flooring needed
• Room size
• Style and design complexity
• Brand's reputation

What Kinds of Floors Are There, and How Much Do They Cost?

To help you navigate the world of flooring, we've compiled the most commonly used types, along with their prices. That way, you choose one that's both appropriate for your property and budget.

1. Laminate

You’ll find laminate in the synthetic category. It's generally made of a fiberboard or plywood core with a high-resolution image of natural materials like wood and stone on the top layer.

Laminate flooring can range in price from £6/m² to £25/m², excluding installation or any other expenses. There are mainly two factors affecting its price:

• Laminate Type: The laminate section includes plastic and engineered wood types. The plastic variety is entirely man-made; it’s waterproof, resilient, and significantly less expensive. The engineered wood variety has layers of natural wood and lasts longer, but it's costly and more prone to water damage.
• Material Structure: Laminate is available in multiple structures, including glueless click, glued, and pre-glued, and their installation methods vary. The glued type is the least expensive, but it has the most difficult installation process, which may result in higher overall costs than other materials.

If you look closely at laminate flooring, you'll notice a thin transparent coating that acts as a protective layer against wear and tear. This makes this flooring type quite durable for its affordable price!

That said, be aware that laminate can be ruined by constant moisture exposure and can't be refinished (except for engineered wood, which can be sanded). So, if it's damaged, it must be replaced. It also has a lifespan of 15 to 25 years, so make sure to factor in replacement costs.

2. Vinyl

Like laminate, vinyl flooring is a synthetic type resembling natural materials at much more affordable rates. It's made up of several layers compressed together, with a print of high-end materials on top.

You can expect to pay for vinyl flooring from £10/m² to £40/m² in material only. Some of the major factors influencing its price are:

• Vinyl Type: Vinyl flooring comes in several varieties, including vinyl sheets, vinyl plank, and vinyl composite tiles (VCT). The sheet type is the cheapest and comes in the form of rolls that are spread out throughout the room. The other types closely resemble the appearance of natural materials and are more durable, making them the more expensive options.
• Core Material: Vinyl cores are classified into two types: flexible and rigid. The flexible core is the less expensive option, but it's prone to bending and tearing. Although it costs more, the rigid variety is more long-lasting and comfortable to walk on.

Vinyl is a low-maintenance and easy-to-install material, so you won't spend a fortune on these aspects. It could also last anywhere from 10 to 20 years with proper care.

3. Carpet

Carpets are a type of textile floor covering made by attaching fibres to a backing.

You can purchase this flooring type for as little as £5/m² or as much as £70/m² or more, excluding any other expenses. Here are the two factors affecting their price:

• Pile Fibre: Carpets are made from various materials, which can be synthetic, natural, or a combination of both. Natural fibres, such as wool, are the most expensive. You can get the properties of wool without breaking the bank by getting its blends with synthetic materials like nylon and polyester.
• Pile Cut: There are numerous pile cuts and styles in carpets. But, in general, the denser the pile, the better the quality, and thus, the higher the price. Some of the priciest styles are woven, like Axminster and Wilton. The reasonably priced styles are typically tufted, like Berber.

If you opt for carpeting, you should know that they have a relatively short lifespan ranging between 5 to 15 years, depending on the quality. Besides, they can be a little high maintenance and will periodically require professional deep cleaning.

4. LVT

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is the premium type of vinyl flooring, with prices ranging from £15/m² to £50/m². Here are a couple of things affecting its cost:

• Installation Method: Different types of LVT are installed in various ways, which affects the overall price. Types requiring easy installation methods, such as self-adhesive, cost less than those necessitating professional installation, such as glue down.
• Thickness and Quality: Thicker tiles with additional wear layers indicate higher quality and higher prices. These varieties have maximum durability and practical features such as enhanced scratch resistance, allowing them to last longer than other types.

What distinguishes LVT from regular vinyl flooring is that it's thicker and has a more realistic stone appearance. It's also more resilient, resistant to water damage, and long-lasting, with a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.

5. Lino

Lino, short for linoleum, is another affordable alternative to wood and stone. Its designs, however, aren't just printed on top like vinyl and laminate but are embedded throughout the entire thickness of the material. That's why linoleum designs don't fade easily and last for 20 to 40 years.

Lino flooring is priced between £10/m² and £30/m² in material only. When shopping for this type, you'll find the following factors influencing its cost:

• Design Quality: The more defined the patterns in lino flooring designs, the more expensive it becomes. That’s because manufacturers use advanced technology to create extremely realistic imitations of natural materials, resulting in these detailed patterns.
• Material Thickness: Lino flooring's thickness, like LVT, affects its price, with thicker versions being more costly.

Although some types of this flooring require professional installation, which can be pricey, the ongoing costs will be minimal as it’s incredibly low maintenance. Just keep in mind that this material is prone to scratches and dents and doesn't tolerate moisture well.

6. Wood

Wood flooring is a natural variety made of either pure timber or timber with other synthetic layers. It can last between 30 and 100 years, with pure wood varieties outlasting engineered ones.

You’ll find wood flooring costing anywhere between £20/m² and £90/m², and its price differs depending on:

• Type: This natural flooring comes in three varieties: solid wood, engineered wood, and reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is the priciest because it's rarer and its manufacturing process is more complicated. Engineered wood is the least expensive since it's not entirely made of wood.
• Wood Species: Several wood species are used to make this flooring, and their prices vary. Teak, cherry, and hickory are among the most expensive, while pine and oak are more cost-effective choices.

However, you should know that wood has high installation costs and is somewhat high maintenance. Also, engineered wood can withstand light dampness better than solid wood, but both are susceptible to scratches.

7. Stone

Natural stone flooring is made up of tiles that are cut directly from various types of stone blocks. Its main selling point is it can last a lifetime (100 years or more), so you won't have to worry about renovation costs anytime soon!

Purchasing this flooring can cost you from £15/m² to £90/m². Its price varies based on the following:

• Stone Type: This flooring is made from multiple stone types, and that's what affects the price significantly. The top-tier varieties are quartz, marble, and limestone, but if you're looking for something more affordable, you can go with granite and sandstone.
• Cut Size: Larger stone cuts are generally pricier than smaller ones. One of the main reasons for this is that large tiles require special handling and are more costly to transport.

While stone flooring is highly durable and withstands heavy foot traffic, its installation is a little complicated and may necessitate lots of labour time.

8. Concrete

Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, water, and other materials. To use it as flooring, it can be poured on-site or you can get it precast.

This flooring type costs between £50/m² and £150/m², depending on the factors listed below:

• Finish and Design: Concrete flooring is available in a variety of finishes and styles, with basic polished concrete being the most cost-effective. If you choose more intricate designs or multiple stain colours, the price will go up.
• Condition of Existing Floor: If you already have flooring, you'll need to remove it completely because concrete must be installed directly on the existing concrete slab, which will incur additional costs. Plus, if the existing slab is in poor condition, workers will need to reinforce it, which translates to more expenses.

Concrete is a remarkably durable option for residential and commercial properties as it’s able to withstand the weight of large machinery and heavy foot traffic. In fact, once you have it installed, it'll be here to stay, as it has an infinite life expectancy.

However, this flooring type needs professional maintenance every 2-3 years to ensure it's properly sealed. That's because if it isn't, concrete can absorb moisture, eventually leading to cracks.

9. Resin

Resin is a hard-wearing plastic coating added to other types of flooring, but it's most commonly used on concrete.

The price range for this flooring is £80/m² to £160/m², and these factors affect its cost:

• Resin Type: There are three types of resin flooring dominating the market: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane (PU), and epoxy. PMMA has the highest price tag because it cures quickly, is easily repaired, and can be customised to be slip-resistant.
• Features: This flooring can be ordered with special requirements such as impact sound reduction and particular hygiene ratings, which will raise the price.

Because of its extreme resilience, this flooring is popular in high-traffic areas such as factories and warehouses.

If you're looking for longevity, opt for PMMA since it can last decades, whereas other types only last for 10 to 20 years.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Floors?

The cost of installing flooring ranges from £3/m² to £70/m² or more, with the following factors influencing the price:

• Flooring type: Some flooring types require more work than others to install. So generally, the easier the process, the lower the costs.
• Installation technique: Various flooring materials, such as laminate, have different installation techniques. As the level of complexity increases, so does the price.
• Installation complexity: Multiple flooring types, like wood, can be installed in a variety of patterns, which can make the installation process affordable or costly.
• Subfloor condition: If the subfloor is damaged, more labour will be required, resulting in higher expenses.

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain Flooring?

Keeping your flooring in good condition requires regular upkeep, which can cost you anywhere between £4/m² to £50/m² or above. The major aspects impacting the price are:

• Flooring material
• Traffic volume
• Environmental and surrounding conditions
• Specific maintenance needs (polishing, deep cleaning, etc.)

How Much Does Floor Cleaning Cost?

You can either do regular cleaning yourself, in which case you'll only spend money on cleaning products, or hire a professional when needed, which can cost between £3/m² and £5/m². Some services, such as carpet deep cleaning, will usually charge you by the hour or per room.

So, aside from the flooring type, you’ll find the following factors affecting the cleaning expenses:

• Cleaning supplies and products
• Dirt and stains severity
• Area size
• Labour charges

What Does It Cost to Fix Broken or Damaged Floors?

You can repair damaged flooring for as little as £15/m² or as much as £500/m² or more based on the following factors:

• Type of damage (cracks, rot, etc.)
• Damage extent
• Repair timeframe
• Use of special treatments

How Much Does It Cost to Restore Flooring?

Restoration involves various activities, such as repairing damaged parts and polishing, that all work together to improve the flooring’s appearance and durability.

Because each flooring type calls for a different restoration method, you'll find prices ranging from £4/m² to £120/m². The cost generally depends on the following:

• Level of wear and tear
• Repairs required
• Application of protective coatings
• Quality of materials used

How Much Does It Cost to Renovate Flooring?

If you want to renovate or replace your flooring, you should budget between £30/m2 and £250/m2 or more, depending on:

• New flooring material
• Underlayment requirements
• Removal of old flooring and installation fees
• Subfloor preparation and repairs

Are There Any Extra Costs When It Comes to Flooring?

Yes, there are other costs associated with flooring, depending on the type, installation process, and other factors.

To ensure you’re aware of most of these expenses, we've listed three extra costs you might incur below.

Underlay

Underlay, also known as underlayment, is a thin layer placed above the subfloor and beneath the floor covering to ensure proper flooring installation. You can expect to pay between £2/m² and £8/m² for it, based on the material it's made from.

Removing the Old Flooring

When replacing your old flooring, you'll need to hire a professional to remove it. The material of the existing flooring will primarily determine the expenses, as it'll either make the job simple or complex. However, the average removal cost is around £15/m².

Disposing of Old Flooring

Some floorings are made of materials that have a disposal fee set by the British government. Your waste charges will vary depending on the material and where you live; for example, ceramic floor tiles in Leicestershire will cost you £3 each or per tub.

Do Different Brands of Flooring Have Different Costs?

Yes, different flooring brands can vary significantly in price, even though they sell the same types. The material quality and the brand's reputation are two of the key factors contributing to this price gap.

How Much More Does It Cost to Hire a Pro Than to Do It Yourself?

Depending on your level of expertise, you can install and maintain the floor yourself for a much lower or much higher cost than hiring a professional. Here are a couple of factors that'll play a role in that:

Are the Costs of Business Flooring and Domestic Flooring Different?

Yes! The costs associated with business flooring are typically higher than those of domestic flooring.

This is mainly because flooring materials required for commercial buildings have more functionality, such as being slip resistant, and are more durable. Whereas, domestic flooring usually prioritises aesthetics, which explains why it's available at lower rates.

Besides, since commercial flooring is used in large spaces, their installation and maintenance costs are much higher.

Wrapping Up

Before deciding on a flooring option, make sure to consider the big picture and account for all associated costs so you don't go over budget.

Always remember that your property's flooring can be either a long-term investment or a dreaded liability. So, to avoid any unpleasant situations in the future, make sure you buy from reputable brands and have the flooring professionally installed.

Contact us at All Floors Trade Centre today, and we’ll be delighted to help you make the right choices!