Kitchen Flooring Costs

Want to know how much it will cost to lay a kitchen floor?

The kitchen is the heart of your home, and it’s somewhere where you’ll spend a lot of time. That’s why you need to choose your flooring carefully. It needs to be attractive and functional to blend perfectly with your home décor.

In this article, we will give you the average costs for laying a kitchen floor and the different styles and materials you can choose.

But why do this?

We want to give you ballpark figures for laying a kitchen floor to help you get the job done at a reasonable price. We can connect you with local flooring experts to give you quotes for laying a kitchen floor.

How Much Does Laying a Kitchen Floor Cost?

The cost will depend very much on the type of flooring you choose. Those on a budget could opt for vinyl. But if you have a large budget, you may choose a hardwood kitchen floor. Tiles are also a cost-effective choice.

When you are planning your budget bear in mind the size of your kitchen, the labour costs, and any additional work you might need a contractor to do.

Kitchen Flooring Prices

In the charts below you can see the estimated costs of laying 14m² of kitchen flooring using a contractor with a day rate of between £150 and £200.

If you have a small area to cover of, say, 10m² then the costs above will be halved. If you have a large area to cover of 28m² then prices will double.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The labour costs and timescales depend on the size of your kitchen. As you can see from the above chart the average time to lay a kitchen floor is between 1 and 3 days. Labour costs are on average between £150 and £200 a day. But this depends on the type of contractor you use.

For example, tiling can be completed by a tiler or a handy person, whilst a hardwood floor is more likely to be fitted by a carpenter.

The prices below are the average costs of the contractors you may use to lay your kitchen flooring. These costs average out at between £150 and £200.

Cost Factors of Laying a Kitchen Floor

Cost factors might also be influenced by ease of access. If the floor is easy to access with no obstacles, then the job may be completed at a faster pace and therefore your labour costs will be reduced.

Another factor will be the number of people working on the job. A contractor might also have a labourer with them. This will increase the labour costs by around £14 to £40 an hour.

A Kitchen flooring installation cost is also affected by where you live. You can expect to pay more in London and the South East of England.

Supply Costs

If you are thinking about laying your kitchen floor as a DIY project then you’ll save yourself the labour costs, but you’ll still need the flooring. Here are the average costs per m² of the different types of flooring you can buy.

We have not included polished concrete in this chart as it is a difficult DIY job. You would need a good standard of expertise and the right equipment, so we recommend you hire a contractor to do the job.

Additional Costs

As well as the costs of laying a new kitchen floor there may be other costs you need to consider.

Removing an Old Floor

For example, if your old floor is not in good condition, it may need removing. For example, the cost of taking up old tiles will cost on average between £15 and £20 per hour.

The time the job takes will depend on the size of the floor, but in an average-sized kitchen, it will take approximately 1 to 2 days. That means you should budget between £120 and £160 for a day’s work and between £240 and £320 if the job takes 2 days.

Some contractors might prefer to charge on a per-project basis, although they will factor in the job duration.

Installing Subfloor

Before you install a new floor, it is important to look at the condition of your original floor. If it is damaged, you may need to have a new subfloor installed. The floor is laid from cement (screed) and will cost around £14 and £21 per m².

The cost of labour will depend on the floor area and ease of access. If you hire a builder to do the job, they will charge between £20 and £40 per hour.

Laying Underlay

A cheap vinyl might also need underlay. This will act as a moisture barrier if you are installing a thin vinyl in the kitchen. Wooden floors also benefit from underlay because they provide insulation and reduce sound. Underlay on average costs between £4 and £10 per m².

Skip Hire

Other costs could include the hire of a skip to dispose of your old floor. The cost of skip-hire will depend on where you live. It isn’t cheap in London and the South East of England. Expect to pay on average between £60 to £130 for a 2–3-yard mini skip that holds around 30 bin bags. Or between £100 to £250 for a 4-5 skip that holds around 40 bin bags.

New Kitchen

You may be installing a new floor because you are renovating your kitchen. Your budget therefore may also include the cost of new kitchen cupboards and worktops.

A medium-sized kitchen of 15m² will cost on average between £4350 and £6850 for the kitchen units, worktops, and installation.

Painting

Painting costs may also have to be considered. A painter has an hourly rate of between £25 and £40 an hour. The work might take 1 -2 days to complete so you would be looking at labour costs of between £200 and £320.

On top of that, there is the price of paint. Paint for 15m² kitchen will cost between £260 to £270.

What's Involved in Laying a Kitchen Floor?

Laying vinyl is much easier than having to tile a floor or lay wood. Vinyl needs to be rolled out and cut to size. If you are laying tiles the floor will need to be primed and you’ll adhesive to stick the tiles to the floor.

To lay laminate flooring you need your existing flooring to be dry, clean, and level. This may mean you need to remove the flooring that’s already in place and screed the floor underneath to create a new subfloor.

Next, you lay a damp-proof membrane to protect the tiles from moisture and reduce noise. Once the membrane is in place decide what way you are going to lay your wood. If you lay it widthways it will make your room look bigger.

Start by laying the first board in the left-hand corner of the room and proceed by clicking the boards together. You should hear a distinct ‘click.’ Continue until the last board on each row and then cut it to size. You will also need to cut around any obstacles like radiator pipes. When the floor is laid you can add the trim using adhesive.

If you want to find out more about how to lay a laminate wood floor check out the instruction videos and blogs on the internet. Google “How to lay kitchen flooring”. You can also find out how to tile a floor from our ‘how to’ guide.

Can I Lay a Kitchen Floor Myself?

Yes, if you are competent at DIY and you have the time and the tools there’s no reason why you can’t lay a kitchen floor yourself. Some flooring installations are easier than others. If you want the job done to a professional standard and you aren’t sure about DIY, then we can help you find local contractors to give you quotes for the job.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission

You don’t need planning permission or a building regulation inspection to install new flooring in your kitchen. If you are building an extension you will need to adhere to building regulations for the build, but not for the flooring you put down.

Types of Kitchen Flooring

Wood

Wood flooring is suitable for a kitchen despite the spills that will occasionally take place. Wood provides a warm look but over time it may lose bright highly polished veneer, so it’s best used if you want a homely feel to your kitchen and not a highly polished pristine surface.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is a fine choice for a kitchen. The wood is created from layers of solid wood and the thicker the plank the better it will be for durability. The wood is waterproof, but spills should be mopped up quickly so that the moisture isn’t left standing.

The average price of Engineered Wood is between £25 and £65 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Less costly than hardwood
• ✔ Temperature and moisture-resistant
• ✔ Environmentally friendly

Cons

• ✖ Requires regular maintenance
• ✖ Can scratch and dent
• ✖ Fewer chances to sand and revarnish than solid wood

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a cost-effective way of getting the look of wood at an affordable price. You’ll need to have waterproof laminate for a kitchen because laminate is susceptible to moisture penetration. If you get waterproof flooring though you shouldn’t have a problem.

Expect to pay between £8 and £45 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Easy to install
• ✔ Low maintenance
• ✔ Durable

Cons

• ✖ Needs to be waterproof otherwise prone to water penetration
• ✖ Synthetic material

Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood floors from hardwood like walnut, or softwood like pine or cherry are durable and easy to clean. All you need to do is vacuum and then mop the floor regularly with a damp mop. Hardwood floors are more expensive to buy than other types of wood, but they are durable and long-lasting.

The average price of solid wood is between £35 to £75 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Aesthetically pleasing
• ✔ Durable

Cons

• ✖ Can be tricky to install as a DIY project
• ✖ Can lose its shine
• ✖ Can scratch easily

Vinyl Kitchen Floor

Vinyl flooring is the most affordable flooring type to have in the kitchen. It comes in many styles and designs, even in a ‘wood look.’ Vinyl is water-resistant and non-porous which means stains and spills don’t seep through the material.

The cheapest vinyl is sheet vinyl which is approximately between £7 and £15 per m². Vinyl tiles are between £15 and £20 per m². If you want to buy luxury vinyl, then expect to pay between £20 and £30 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Water resistant
• ✔ Easy maintenance
• ✔ Cheaper than other flooring types

Cons

• ✖ Not easy to fix if damaged
• ✖ Colours may fade over time

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete is becoming a popular choice with householders who have underfloor heating because it works very well with polished concrete. This type of flooring is around the same price as a wood floor, and they are just as durable.

Polished concrete is normally priced between £80 and £450 per m². It will be more expensive if a machine is used to level the concrete.

Pros

• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Easy to maintain
• ✔ Choice of design

Cons

• ✖ Can be slippery underfoot
• ✖ Cold underfoot
• ✖ Can’t be installed in a couple of days (allow between 10 and 12 days)

Tiles for Kitchen Floors

Tiles are a good option for a kitchen because they look attractive, and are durable. There are many designs and styles to choose from. You can buy tiles that are as cheap as vinyl or you can choose a more expensive material like marble which is similar in price to solid wood.

Have a look at the descriptions below to choose the best tile for your kitchen floor.

Ceramic Tile

A ceramic tile kitchen floor is one of the most popular types of tiling because the tiles aren’t too expensive, and they come in a good range of colours and styles. On average you will pay between £15 and £25 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Water and stain-resistant
• ✔ Plenty of design options

Cons

• ✖ Not as easy to install as some other flooring types
• ✖ Heavy to handle
• ✖ Cold underfoot

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain will provide a natural look to your kitchen floor. They come in a variety of colours and styles, and they are easy to clean. Porcelain tiles cost between £15 and £30 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Low maintenance
• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Wide range of design options

Cons

• ✖ Grout between tiles needs sealing
• ✖ Can be slippery underfoot
• ✖ Not cheap to buy

Cement Tiles

Cement tiles often come in bold prints and colours. But they are difficult to install and require regular maintenance. Many people choose to have porcelain instead which is easier to lay and is more resistant to wear. Expect to pay between £20 and £30 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Easy to maintain
• ✔ Choice of designs

Cons

• ✖ Can be slippery
• ✖ Cold underfoot
• ✖ Not as easy to install as other flooring options

Marble Flooring

Marble is a luxurious material, and it works well on a kitchen floor. Marble veining will give your kitchen floor a unique look and although it might scratch it is a durable material. You will need to maintain it to keep its shine with a polish once or twice a year. But on the whole, it is easy to clean and looks beautiful. Marble costs between £40 to £50 per m².

Pros

• ✔ A natural material
• ✔ Unique look
• ✔ Perfect for underfloor heating

Cons

• ✖ Cold underfoot
• ✖ Can scratch and stain
• ✖ Expensive to buy

Limestone Tiles

Limestone is a natural material which is popular with householders who want a rustic style. Once laid it will need sealing to make it waterproof because it is porous. You should expect to pay between £30 to £40 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Easy to cut and shape for installation
• ✔ Natural stone
• ✔ Durable

Cons

• ✖ Expensive to buy
• ✖ May stain and scratch
• ✖ Heavy so installation isn’t easy

Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles are perfect if you want colours and shapes on the floor. Mosaics come in a wide range of colours and styles which will suit you if you are looking for something a bit different. Mosaic tiles cost between £25 to £35.

Pros

• ✔ Anti-slip when treated
• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Plenty of design options

Cons

• ✖ Not a quick install
• ✖ Can break or crack
• ✖ Mosaic tiles aren’t a cheap choice

Removing Kitchen Flooring

Removing kitchen flooring could cost you between £120 and £320 in labour costs. If you have the time and you can hire the right tools it is a job you can do yourself to save money.

If you have a tiled floor and you want to hire a floor tile lifter then you can expect to pay between £40 and £130 per day.

Vinyl floors will only need lifting and then disposing of. Wooden floorboards can be lifted and repaired or replaced.

The cost to repair broken floorboards will depend on the amount of boards. The average time to repair floorboards is around 1 to 2 days at an average cost of between £250 and £300.

Checklist – Hiring a Contractor to Lay Kitchen Flooring

• Decide whether you want to go down the DIY route or if you would rather get some quotes from contractors who lay kitchen floors
• Check that the tradesperson you want to use has the relevant experience to carry out the flooring installation
• Ask if they have feedback from previous customers
• Find out if they offer a guarantee with their work
• Find out if they will remove and dispose of old flooring if you need your original floor removed
• Find out how long they think the job will take

FAQs