Replacing Floorboards Costs
- The average cost of replacement floorboards is around £500.
- Most repairs take between 1 and 2 days, though minor fixes can often be completed in a few hours.
- A complete pricing breakdown which includes cost factors to consider and the prices of different types of floorboard repairs.
- When it makes sense to repair floorboards versus replacing them, along with typical repair times.
- How to find a local floorboard repair company.
Do you have faulty floorboards?
The most common floorboard issues can be fixed relatively easily. Many homeowners can fix a faulty floorboard as a DIY job.
However, it's a good idea to look to a professional to ensure floorboard repair or replacing floorboards is completed to a high standard while also preventing further work down the line.
The cost to fix a floor in this manner would cost you around £500 on average.
Just looking for a quote for floorboard repairs?
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To find out more about floorboard repairs first, keep reading.

£500
Table of Contents
- How Much Does it Cost to Repair or Replace Floorboards?
- Floorboard Replacement Costs (Supply Only)
- Floorboard Repair Labour Costs and Timescales
- What Impacts the Cost of Replacing Floorboards?
- What's Involved in Repairing Floorboards?
- Can I Repair a Floor Myself?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Floorboard Repairs
- Types of Floorboard Repairs
- Checklist: How To Find Local Floorboard Repair Companies in the UK
- FAQs
How Much Does it Cost to Repair or Replace Floorboards?
Most floorboard repair jobs cost between £200 and £800, depending on the type of problem and the size of the area.
Very minor fixes such as tightening loose or squeaky boards sit at the lower end of this range, while replacing damaged boards or repairing rotten joists is more expensive.
Tradespeople typically charge £200–£250 per day, so the total cost will vary depending on how long the job takes. Location also plays a role, with prices in London and the South East often higher than elsewhere in the UK.
In general, how long does it take to have damaged floorboards repaired?
Floorboard Repair/Replacement Prices
Below is a table highlighting the costs for the most common floorboard repair jobs:
| Job Description | Duration | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lift the carpet and do a creaky floorboard repair, then lay the carpet again | 1 - 4 hours | £200 - £250 |
| Repair broken floorboards and screw in any loose floorboards | 1 - 2 days | £250 - £300 |
| Replace or repair floor joists and replace split floorboards | 1 - 3 days | £400 - £500 |
| Remove rotten springy boards and joists, fit new joists and floorboards | 1 - 2 days | £300 - £400 |
| Remove all flooring and fit new joists and new chipboard flooring | 2 - 4 days | £1,000 - £1,250 |
| Remove all flooring and fit new joists and new conventional floorboards | 3 - 5 days | £1,500 - £1,800 |
Floorboard Replacement Costs (Supply Only)
Below is a list of the supply costs for repairing floorboards:
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Timber 4.2m length | £8 - £20 |
| 150mm floorboards | £25 - £30 per m² |
| Chipboard sheets | £8 - £10 per m² |
Floorboard Repair Labour Costs and Timescales
The cost you pay for labour will depend on many factors, including your location, the difficulty of the job, and the type of repair.
Typically, a tradesperson will charge around £200 to £250 per day to fix floorboards.
Minor fixes can usually be completed within 1 to 4 hours. More difficult jobs, such as completely replacing the floorboards, could take 1 to 3 days to complete.
With this in mind, you can see how the labour costs for more difficult jobs could increase greatly. Luckily, the most common floorboard fixes can usually be completed within a day. Those based in London can expect to pay around £30 to £70 more on average for labour than those based in the north or other parts of the UK.
There’s no major seasonal swing for indoor flooring work, though tradesperson availability can improve in late autumn and winter once exterior projects quieten down.
What Impacts the Cost of Replacing Floorboards?
Several factors can affect the prices you're quoted for this job.
The biggest drivers are the amount of flooring affected, how easy it is to access and lift the covering, and whether any joists or subfloor areas need repair.
Type of Floor
The type of flooring you have will impact the cost of floorboard repair and replacement.
Carpet and underlay are relatively quick to lift and relay. Vinyl and laminate take longer, and tiled floors can be time-consuming to remove and make good. The harder the covering is to uplift and refit, the higher the labour time and cost.
Extent and Type of Damage
The extent of the damage can affect the cost greatly. Small, minor jobs can be completed within a few hours and won't be as expensive as more extreme jobs.
Major jobs such as replacing all of the floorboards could take a few days, which will ramp up the costs for both labour and materials.
How do I get dents out of wooden floorboards? I think they're made of pine.
Location of Property
The location of your property can also affect the price you can expect to pay.
Those based in London can expect to pay around £30 to £70 more on average for labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
What's Involved in Repairing Floorboards?
There are several methods for repairing floorboards, as each floorboard issue will require a different fixing method.
Below, we will go over the two most common fixes for floorboards, including a step-by-step guide on how to complete each fixing method:
Fixing Creaking Floorboards
Floorboards can become creaky when the fixing nails are loose and the board isn't firmly attached anymore. Below is a guide on how to fix creaking floorboards:
- Find the creak: Walk around the room to pinpoint the exact location of the creaking floorboards - this is where you need to focus your efforts.
- Look between the joist and subfloor: Use a torch to look beneath your floor, detecting any gaps between the joist and subfloor. If there's a gap, you've found the cause of your creaking floor.
- Plug the gap: Find a small piece of wood and, using carpenter's glue, insert it into the gap you've found to silence the creak. For larger gaps, fill these with construction adhesive.
Replacing a Section of Floorboard
If a small area of your floorboard is damaged, you can replace part of the board rather than having to replace the whole board:
- Prop up the damaged section of floor: Carefully lift up the damaged section of floorboard, and insert a piece of wood beneath it to hold it up.
- Cut out the damaged section: Mark your cutting lines, and start to take the damaged floorboard section out, avoiding the boards you want to keep.
- Find a replacement floorboard: Measure the damaged section and find a suitable replacement.
- Insert the replacement floorboard: Secure the new section in place with ring shank nails or cut floor brads, then drill pilot holes and affix with nails or screws to stop the board from moving.
Can I Repair a Floor Myself?
While floorboard repairs are best done by a professional for a safe, durable result, some minor fixes are suitable for confident DIYers. This includes simple creaks or replacing a small section of a board. Use the steps above as a guide, work slowly, and always check for hidden services before drilling or cutting.
- Generally safe to DIY: tightening loose or squeaky boards, shimming minor gaps, replacing a small patch like-for-like, re-fixing lifted thresholds.
- Basic prep: isolate nearby electrics, use a pipe/cable detector, clear the room, and wear eye/hand protection.
- Call a professional if: you suspect rot, damp, or movement in the joists; multiple boards are damaged; the floor feels springy; or you need to lift and refit finished floors (tile/engineered/solid wood).
- Why it helps: a specialist can diagnose causes (e.g., moisture or subfloor defects), match materials, and complete repairs safely to a high standard.
If you’re unsure at any point, it’s sensible to get quotes from floorboard repair companies near you and compare options — it’s quick, free, and there’s no obligation.
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Floorboard Repairs
Small patch repairs (tightening fixings, replacing a short section) don’t usually need Building Regulations approval or planning permission. Larger works can trigger rules under energy efficiency (Part L) or heritage protections.
| Scenario | What it means |
|---|---|
| Small patch repairs | Usually no approval or planning permission. |
| Replace over 50% of a floor, or add a new layer | Treated as a “renovation of a thermal element” (Part L). Building Control approval is normally required and you’ll be asked to upgrade insulation where it’s practical and good value. |
| Listed buildings / conservation areas | Planning permission or consent may be needed even for internal work—check first if your home is protected. |
| Ground‐floor upgrades (insulation / DPM) | May need to meet minimum insulation/moisture standards set out in the Approved Documents. |
Who to contact: your council’s Building Control team or a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) can confirm what applies to your job and provide sign-off where needed.
Types of Floorboard Repairs
Repairing Loose Floorboards Cost
Loose floorboards can be fixed easily by simply replacing the nails that hold them in place with screws instead.
Loose floorboards tend to be creaky and squeaky, so completing this simple repair can help to stop these annoying sounds from occurring every time you step on the loose floorboard.
The cost of repairing a loose floorboard is around £200 to £250.
Is it OK to replace floorboards with chipboard? I think they'll be easier to lay, but is there any reason I shouldn't do this?
Repairing Damaged Floorboards Cost
Split or cracked floorboards can be repaired by putting some strong wood glue in the cracks and splits and then forcing the edges together with wedges in the gaps.
The cost of repairing damaged floorboards is around £200 to £250 if you choose to hire a professional to complete the work for you.
Replacing Floorboards Cost
Floorboards that are more severely damaged can be replaced. This is the best way to ensure that the floorboard won't worsen and is the best fix for extremely damaged floorboards.
The cost for replacing a floorboard is around £400 to £500 on average. If you need more than one floorboard replaced, the cost will increase accordingly.
Checklist: How To Find Local Floorboard Repair Companies in the UK
Use this quick checklist to compare quotes and choose a reliable specialist for your floorboard repair.
- Itemised written quote: Labour, materials, uplift/relay of coverings, trims/thresholds, finishing, waste removal, and VAT clearly shown.
- Scope and exclusions: Confirm what happens if hidden issues appear (e.g., rot, joist repairs, extra noggins) and how variations are priced.
- Experience & examples: Get information on recent, similar repairs (loose/creaking boards, patch replacements, joist work) with photos or references.
- Guarantees/warranty: Ask what’s covered (e.g., squeak-free period) and for how long, in writing.
- Insurance & compliance: Confirm public liability cover and agreement to follow relevant Building Regulations if large areas are replaced.
- Method & dust control: Check how they’ll protect your home (sheeting, extraction) and manage noise and access.
- Who does what: Clarify if they move furniture, uplift/relay carpet/laminate, and make good skirtings/thresholds.
- Waste & disposal: Confirm removal/recycling and any skip or parking costs.
- Timings & payment terms: Find out the start date, duration, working hours, deposit/staged payments, and accepted payment methods.
FAQs
How Do You Repair Rotten Wooden Bathroom Floor?
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to repair a rotten bathroom floor:
- Begin by turning the water off.
- Use a crowbar to pull up the old flooring.
- Remove the subfloor.
- Inspect the joists underneath for damage, as you may need to hire someone to replace those too.
- Clean the area of dust and debris.
- Install subfloor if needed.
- You can now lay your new chosen floor.
How Do You Repair Floor Joists That Are Water Damaged?
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to repair water damaged floor joists:
- Put on safety gear and set up a work light.
- Access the subfloor area through the crawl space and go to the area under the water damage.
- Measure the distance from the points where the rotten joists attach on either end.
- Measure the side of the joist from the lower edge to the upper edge, so you know the measurements for the replacement.
- Exit the crawl space and obtain a piece of framing lumber to use as a replacement joist.
- Measure and mark the replacement piece and cut it to size.
- Position the new joist on its edge alongside the rotten joist with one end on the sill plate.
- Hit the side of the joist at the other end with a hammer to fit that end against the rotten joist.
- Connect each end of the new joist to the sill plate with nails.
- Cut the rotten joist vertically near each end and remove the rotten part.
Why Are My Floorboards Creaking?
Most squeaks come from movement between a board and the joist or from loose fixings. Simple repairs include adding screws into the joist and shimming minor gaps. If the noise is widespread or the floor feels springy, have a specialist check for subfloor or joist issues.
How Do I Know if My Floorboard Needs to Be Replaced or Repaired?
Can I Replace Floorboards Myself?
How Long Do Floorboard Repairs Last?
If the cause of the board movement is resolved, then screw-fixing and sectional replacements are long-lasting (often decades). If you continue to have issues after a floorboard repair or replacement, then it's a signal that there's a hidden issue that needs your attention.
Are There Any Grants To Help With Floor Repairs or Insulation?
Grants rarely cover cosmetic floorboard repairs. However, underfloor insulation may be subsidised if you’re eligible.
The main routes in 2025 are the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and ECO4. These typically help homes that are EPC D–G and either in certain council tax bands or classed as low-income/vulnerable. Private renters can apply with the landlord’s permission. Local council schemes also run periodically, but availability varies by area.
In short? Funding is usually for insulation (not replacing boards). If you think you might qualify, check your EPC, council tax band, and speak to your council or energy supplier to confirm the latest criteria before you book any work.


