Kitchen Flooring Cost

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 the cost of screeding a floor is 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?

The process of laying a kitchen floor depends on the material you choose. Vinyl is the simplest option as it just needs to be rolled out and cut to size. However, laying tiles or laying laminate flooring, both require more preparation and time.

Because of this, most homeowners choose to hire a local flooring specialist.

With MyJobQuote, you can compare multiple quotes from kitchen floor fitters near you. It's fast, free, and there's no obligation to go ahead.

Let's take a look at the typical process of having a kitchen floor fitted by specialists:

Before the Job Starts

• Subfloor Assessed — The flooring specialist will check that your existing floor is dry, clean, and level. If it isn't, they may need to remove the flooring that's already in place and screed the floor underneath to create a new subfloor.
• Layout Planned — The specialist will decide the best direction and starting point for the flooring. For laminate, laying it widthways can make your room look bigger.
• Subfloor Prepared — Depending on your flooring choice, the subfloor may need to be primed or have a protective membrane laid to guard against moisture.

During the Job

• Flooring Laid — For vinyl, this means rolling out and cutting to size. For tiles, adhesive is applied, and tiles are fixed in place with spacers. For laminate, boards are clicked together row by row.
• Flooring Cut to Fit — The flooring will be cut to fit around obstacles like radiator pipes, door frames, and kitchen units.
• Tiles Grouted — For tile flooring, once the tiles are in place and the adhesive has set, grout is applied between the joints and any excess is wiped away.

After the Job

• Finishing Touches Added — Once the flooring is laid, trims or edging strips are fitted to give a neat, professional finish. For tiles, a sealant may be applied to protect the grout.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission

You usually don’t need planning permission or a building regulation inspection to install new flooring in your kitchen, unless you’re altering the structure or adding electrics, such as underfloor heating.

If you are building a kitchen 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 water-resistant, 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 they work very well together. 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 (can take up to 10-12 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: Finding a Kitchen Flooring Specialist Near You

Here are some key things to consider when hiring a kitchen floor fitter:

• Are they a member of a trade association? Look for membership of trade bodies like the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers, a UK trade body for professional domestic flooring installers.
• Do they have experience? Ensure the installers you are hiring have lots of experience with the type of kitchen floor you have chosen.
• Are they insured? Public liability insurance, while not a legal requirement, is essential if anything goes wrong during installation.
• Is waste removal included? If you're having an existing floor replaced, check that the removal and disposal are included in your quote.
• Do they offer any guarantees? Many flooring specialists will offer a workmanship guarantee. Find out how long you are covered, and how they handle any issues that arise.
• Do they have examples of their work? Check their MyJobQuote profile for photos of previous kitchen floor jobs they have completed.
• Do they have positive reviews? Look at feedback from other homeowners on their MyJobQuote profile to see what their experience was like.

FAQs