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Flooring
Choose the right flooring for every room in your home. This guide covers flooring types, installation costs, preparation, maintenance and how to find trusted local flooring installers.
Last reviewed: August 2026 · Reviewed by: The TopTenTrades Editorial Team
Planning a Flooring Project
Flooring has a major impact on the appearance, comfort and practicality of your home. The right flooring choice can improve warmth, reduce maintenance, increase durability and complement your interior design. Whether you're replacing worn carpets, installing luxury vinyl in a kitchen, restoring original floorboards or upgrading multiple rooms, careful planning helps ensure you choose a flooring solution that suits your lifestyle and property. Consider how each room is used, the amount of foot traffic, moisture levels, cleaning requirements and whether the existing floor needs preparation before installation.
Why This Project?
- check_circleRefresh tired rooms
- check_circleImprove comfort
- check_circleModernise interiors
- check_circleIncrease property appeal
- check_circleReplace damaged surfaces
- check_circleImprove insulation
- check_circleCreate easier-to-clean spaces
- check_circleAdd value before selling
- check_circleMatch a new decorating scheme
Costs
| Type | Typical Cost (UK) | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | £500–£3,000 | 1–3 days |
| Laminate flooring | £500–£2,500 | 1–3 days |
| Luxury vinyl flooring (LVT) | £1,000–£4,000 | 2–5 days |
| Engineered wood | £2,000–£6,000 | 2–7 days |
| Solid hardwood | £3,000–£10,000+ | 3–10 days |
| Natural stone tiles | £3,000–£10,000+ | 1–2 weeks |
Additional preparation such as levelling uneven floors can increase the overall cost.
Planning Your Project
Carpet
A popular choice for bedrooms, stairs and living areas.
- •Warm and comfortable
- •Reduces noise
- •Available in many styles
- •Requires regular cleaning
- •Less suitable for damp areas
Laminate Flooring
A cost-effective alternative to wood flooring.
- •Affordable
- •Durable
- •Easy to clean
- •Wide range of designs
- •Cannot usually be refinished
- •Quality varies significantly
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
A popular modern flooring option designed to replicate wood or stone.
- •Water resistant
- •Durable
- •Comfortable underfoot
- •Suitable for kitchens and bathrooms
- •Requires good subfloor preparation
Engineered Wood Flooring
Made from layers of wood with a real timber surface.
- •Natural appearance
- •More stable than solid wood
- •Long-lasting
- •Higher cost than laminate
Solid Hardwood Flooring
A premium flooring option made from natural timber.
- •Can last decades
- •Can be refinished
- •Adds character
- •More expensive
- •Requires careful maintenance
Tile Flooring
Popular for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Options include ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and natural stone.
- •Durable
- •Easy to clean
- •Water resistant
- •Can feel cold without underfloor heating
Choosing Flooring by Room
The best flooring depends on moisture, traffic levels and how much maintenance you're willing to do.
- •Kitchen — LVT, tile, engineered wood
- •Bathroom — porcelain tile, vinyl
- •Bedroom — carpet, engineered wood
- •Living room — carpet, wood, LVT
- •Hallway — LVT, wood, tile
- •Utility room — vinyl, tile
Preparing Floors Before Installation
Good preparation is essential for a professional finish. Installing new flooring over an unsuitable surface can lead to movement, squeaking or premature damage. Preparation may include:
- •Removing old flooring
- •Checking subfloor condition
- •Levelling uneven areas
- •Repairing floorboards
- •Installing underlay
- •Checking moisture levels
- •Adjusting doors
Underfloor Heating and Flooring
Underfloor heating is increasingly popular, particularly in extensions, kitchens and bathrooms. Always check manufacturer guidance before installing flooring over underfloor heating systems. Suitable flooring options include:
- •Porcelain tiles
- •Ceramic tiles
- •Stone
- •LVT
- •Engineered wood (suitable products only)
Timeline
| Stage | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Choosing flooring | 1–3 weeks |
| Ordering materials | 1–2 weeks |
| Removing old flooring | 1 day |
| Subfloor preparation | 1–3 days |
| Installation | 1–7 days |
| Finishing work | 1 day |
Which Tradespeople Will You Need?
Flooring Installers
Professional flooring installers measure rooms, prepare surfaces and install carpet, laminate, vinyl, wood and other flooring systems, including specialist carpet measuring, cutting and fitting.
Find trusted Flooring Installers near youTilers
Tilers install ceramic, porcelain and natural stone flooring in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
Find skilled Tilers near youCarpenters
Carpenters can repair floorboards, install hardwood flooring and adjust doors or skirting boards.
Find skilled Carpenters near youHeating Engineers
Heating engineers can install or adapt underfloor heating systems beneath suitable flooring.
Find qualified Heating Engineers near youChecklist
- check_circleMeasure each room
- check_circleDecide your budget
- check_circleChoose flooring material
- check_circleCheck suitability for the room
- check_circleInspect the subfloor
- check_circleRemove old flooring if needed
- check_circlePlan door adjustments
- check_circleChoose underlay
- check_circleOrder extra materials for cutting waste
- check_circleArrange installation
DIY or Hire a Professional?
| Suitable DIY Jobs | Professional Recommended |
|---|---|
| Click laminate flooring | Natural stone tiles |
| Simple vinyl flooring | Hardwood installation |
| Floor preparation | Uneven subfloors |
| Replacing underlay | Complex patterns |
| Small repairs | Underfloor heating |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- check_circleChoosing unsuitable flooring for the room
- check_circleIgnoring subfloor preparation
- check_circleBuying insufficient materials
- check_circleForgetting underlay
- check_circleInstalling over damp floors
- check_circlePoor expansion gaps
- check_circleIncorrect cleaning products
- check_circleMatching flooring poorly between rooms
- check_circleIgnoring door clearance
- check_circleChoosing appearance over practicality — the best flooring choice balances design, durability and how the room is actually used
Maintenance
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Vacuum carpets | Weekly |
| Clean hard floors | Weekly |
| Check for damage | Annually |
| Deep clean carpets | Every 12–18 months |
| Refinish wood flooring | Every few years if required |
| Replace damaged sections | When needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Home Improvement Guides
Our homeowner guides are written to provide practical, impartial advice for UK property owners. Content is reviewed regularly to reflect current building practices, regulations and homeowner priorities. Where specialist work is involved, we recommend using appropriately qualified and insured tradespeople.
Ready to Choose Your New Flooring?
Don't leave it to chance — use this guide to plan ahead, save important details to your projects, and connect with trusted local tradespeople when professional help is needed.
- •Save this project to My Projects and track it over time.
- •Request quotes from trusted local tradespeople.
- •Compare professionals based on experience, reviews and completed projects.
Request multiple quotes · Compare trusted professionals