Cost of Parquet Flooring

By Kim
Last updated 13th June 2024 - Reading time: 18 mins
At a glance
  • The average cost of installing parquet flooring is around £1,400
  • The job will take approximately 2 - 5 days to complete
In this article, you'll discover the following:
  • A complete pricing breakdown which includes types of parquet flooring you can choose from, along with what such a task usually involves
  • How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed
  • How to find and hire a flooring fitter

Are you thinking about installing parquet flooring in your home?

Parquet flooring (sometimes mispronounced as 'parkay flooring') is an attractive flooring option for those who want to add a touch of sophistication to their home. It offers an elegant look that can complement both modern and traditional décor.

On average you can expect to pay around £1400 to lay parquet floor.

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light wood floor

Average Cost of Laying Parquet Flooring:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes: 2-5 days

£1400

How Much is Parquet Flooring?

The average cost of parquet flooring will depend on the size of the room and the type of parquet flooring that you choose. The cost for parquet flooring ranges from around £20-£80 per metre squared on average.

If you are having your parquet flooring installed by a professional, then you can expect to pay a contractor around £100-£200 per day.

hammer on wood floor

There are many different types of parquet flooring, and each one comes at a different price. For example, pine parquet floor can cost around £20-£70 per square metre, while oak is normally priced at £35-£80 per square metre.

So, you can see how the materials can affect the overall cost of parquet flooring by quite a sizeable amount.

Should I go with beech parquet or maple parquet flooring? What are the pros/cons of each?

"Maple is slightly harder wearing than beech but you will notice the grain more"

Parquet Flooring Prices

If you are considering installing parquet flooring in your home, take a look at the table below for an idea of the prices you can expect to pay for different parquet flooring laying jobs:

Job Type Average Cost
Installation of pine parquet flooring in a small-sized room (8m2) £260-£760
Installation of pine parquet flooring in a medium-sized room (15m2) £400-£1250
Installation of pine parquet flooring in a large-sized room (25m2) £600-£1950
Installation of maple parquet flooring in a small-sized room (8m2) £300-£680
Installation of maple parquet flooring in a medium-sized room (15m2) £475-£1100
Installation of maple parquet flooring in a large-sized room (25m2) £725-£1700
Installation of beech parquet flooring in a small-sized room (8m2) £380-£760
Installation of beech parquet flooring in a medium-sized room (15m2) £625-£1250
Installation of beech parquet flooring in a large-sized room (25m2) £975-£1950
Installation of oak parquet flooring in a small-sized room (8m2) £380-£840
Installation of oak parquet flooring in a medium-sized room (15m2) £625-£1400
Installation of oak parquet flooring in a large-sized room (25m2) £975-£2200
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Supply Only Costs

The price of the supplies for parquet flooring will differ depending on the type of flooring you choose and the size of the room. The bigger the room, the more materials you will need, so larger rooms will cost more.

On average, pine parquet flooring costs around £20-£70 per square metre, while maple parquet flooring costs around £25-£60 per square metre.

Other options include beech parquet flooring, which costs around £35-£70 per square metre. The most expensive choice is oak parquet flooring which ranges from £35-£80 per square metre.

The table below shows the average costs that you can expect to pay for the supplies of parquet flooring:

Material Material Cost per Square metre
Pine £20-£70
Maple £25-£60
Beech £35-£70
Oak £35-£80
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Additional Costs

There are several additional costs that you may need to think about when installing parquet flooring. Below is a list of some of those additional costs that may come up as part of the job:

Underfloor Heating

When you get your new parquet flooring installed, you may also be interested in installing underfloor heating. This can be beneficial in the winter months for adding some extra warmth and cosiness to the room. The cost for underfloor heating is usually around £800-£1000 per room, and this will add around 1-2 days to the length of the job.

Skirting and Architrave

Another thing that you may want to think about during your parquet flooring installation is getting your skirting and architrave replaced.

white skirting

The average cost to hire a carpenter to replace your skirting boards is around £150-£200. The materials used, the quality of the materials, and the size of the room can affect the overall cost of the job.

Painting and Decorating

If you're getting a new floor installed, you may also want to get your walls painted or decorated so that the entire room looks brand new. If that's the case, then you may want to hire someone to paint or decorate for you.

The average cost for this is usually around £200-£500 depending on the materials used, the size of the room, and your location within the UK.

New Lighting Fixtures

If you are completely refurbishing your room, then new light fittings are a must. The price for new light fittings can vary quite a lot depending on the type of light you're having fitted. You can expect to pay around £100-£400 for a new light fitting installation.

Labour Costs and Timescales

If you're planning on buying the materials separately and then hiring someone to install the flooring for you, then you may be interested in the cost of labour alone. You will need to hire a carpenter or joiner to do the work. You can expect to pay a carpenter or joiner around £100-£200 per day on average.

The time it takes to install parquet flooring in your home will mostly depend on the room's size.

hammer on wood floor

Many small to medium-sized rooms can be completed within one day. However, larger rooms could take anywhere from 2 to 5 days to complete. If you are getting additional work done, such as underfloor heating, then the work could take 1-2 days longer.

Homeowners located in the London area can expect to pay around £50-£100 more per day for the cost of labour compared to those based in the north of England or other parts of the UK.

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Cost Factors of Installing a Parquet Floor

Several things can affect the overall cost of laying parquet flooring. Below is a list of the main things that may alter the overall cost of the job:

Size of Floor

The size of the floor can affect the cost by quite a large amount as a larger floor will require more materials and will also take more time to complete, so the labour costs will also increase. With this in mind, the larger your floor is, the more it will cost to complete the work.

Preparation Time

When laying parquet flooring, your contractor will need to prepare the floor before they can begin the installation. This will involve removing the old flooring, priming and levelling the sub-floor, as well as installing any extras such as underlay or underfloor heating.

The more preparation that is needed, the more you will pay for the overall job as it will take longer and require more labour time to complete.

Location of Property

The location of your property can also affect the cost of the job. Those based in and around the London area can expect to pay more for the cost of labour than those based in the north of England or other parts of the UK.

What's Involved in Laying Parquet Flooring?

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to install parquet flooring:

  1. Start by cleaning the sub-floor and remove any sealants, adhesive, wax, or debris from the floor. You will then need to wait for the floor to completely dry before moving onto the next step.
  2. Level the sub-floor with a belt sander to lower any high areas and fill in any sunken areas with a cement levelling compound.
  3. Replace any damaged areas of the sub-floor and ensure that it is completely smooth and level.
  4. Mark the centre of each wall and draw straight chalk lines connecting the opposite walls.
  5. Start from the centre point and lay the parquet panels on the floor without adhesive so that you can see where they will sit. Adjust the lines if more than one-half of the last row of panels need to be cut.
  6. Use a notched trowel and apply the adhesive at a 45-degree angle onto the sub-floor where the first panel will go. Lay this panel in line with your chalk lines.
  7. Add adhesive for the next eight panels that lie on both sides of your first panel.
  8. Hold the panels at a 45-degree angle and align the grooves together. Tap it into place with a rubber mallet if needed, and then lay the panels into the adhesive. Repeat this step for all eight surrounding panels.
  9. Keep repeating this step until all of the panels have been laid apart from the last row.
  10. Measure and cut the panels for the last row using a jigsaw.
  11. Lay adhesive and then lay the last row of panels into place.
  12. Set the flooring using a 150-pound floor roller and rolling the floor within a few hours of completing the installation.

Can I Lay Parquet Flooring Myself?

Providing you are competent at DIY jobs and have all of the necessary tools for the job, you can complete a parquet flooring job yourself. We have provided a step-by-step guide above on how to install parquet flooring. This is the simplest method and shouldn't be too difficult for someone who is an avid DIY-er.

man laying wood floor

When installing parquet flooring yourself, the most important thing you need to do is ensure that the sub-floor is level and smooth before beginning the installation. This will prevent any problems with the floor from becoming loose or cracking at a later date.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Parquet Flooring Installation

When installing a parquet floor in your home, you won't usually need to worry about planning permission. However, if you live in a listed building, it's best to seek advice from your local authority before going ahead with the job.

The best way to ensure your new flooring is in line with building regulations rules is to hire a professional that is registered with a relevant competent person scheme.

man hammering wood floor

This will make sure that your project complies with building regulations. It is important to remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that your flooring is legal and follows building regulations rules.

Whether you need approval from a building regulations officer will depend on the individual project. If you are unsure whether or not you may need building regulations approval for your particular job, it's always best to seek advice from your local authority.

Types of Parquet Flooring

Parquet flooring comes in various wood finishes. The most popular types of parquet flooring are pine, oak, beech, and maple. Each of these makes great, durable, and stylish floors.

Take a look at the list below for some information on the different wood finishes and the pros and cons of each type:

Beech Parquet Flooring Cost

Beech flooring has an attractive, subtle grain pattern that includes a combination of light cream colours and small speckles of brown for a unique look. This flooring has a lot of character and looks great in modern homes as well as more traditional homes.

If you are looking for wood flooring that helps to brighten up a room, beech is a good choice for you as its light qualities bring brightness into the room. Beech parquet flooring usually costs around £35-£70 per square metre.

PROS

  • ✔ Lots of character
  • ✔ Brightens the room
  • ✔ Looks great in modern and traditional homes

CONS

  • ✖ Not the cheapest option

Pine Parquet Flooring Cost

Pine features unique characteristics of knots mixed with a straight, fine grain. This provides this type of wood flooring with a unique and rustic look. Pine looks great in any style of interior.

However, it is softwood, so some types of this wood finish can be prone to denting. With this in mind, pine parquet flooring is best for low-traffic areas of the home. Pine parquet flooring typically costs around £20-£70 per square metre.

PROS

  • ✔ Unique rustic look
  • ✔ Great in any style of interior
  • ✔ Lots of character
  • ✔ Cheap

CONS

  • ✖ Best for low-traffic areas of the home

Oak Parquet Flooring Cost

Oak is a very popular choice of flooring material, as it provides a beautiful aesthetic. It has distinctive characteristics that include a unique grain pattern with beautiful golden tones.

fancy wood floor

Oak parquet flooring works well in any room and fits in with most types of décor, so it really is a great all-rounder. Oak parquet flooring usually costs around £35-£80 per square metre on average.

PROS

  • ✔ Popular choice
  • ✔ Distinctive style
  • ✔ It suits almost all rooms and décor types

CONS

  • ✖ High cost

Maple Parquet Flooring Cost

Maple wood flooring offers a unique aesthetic with multiple gradients of cream shades combined with light and dark brown spots. This adds warmth to the texture and makes the wood-style great for making a room look cosy.

Maple is great for adding a rustic charm to any room and goes well in both modern and traditional homes. Maple parquet flooring costs around £25-£60 per square metre.

PROS

  • ✔ Unique aesthetic
  • ✔ Cosy
  • ✔ Adds light, rustic charm to the room
  • ✔ It goes well in modern and traditional homes
  • ✔ Good price

CONS

  • ✖ The unique appearance isn't to everyone's taste

Benefits of a Parquet Floor

There are many benefits to choosing parquet flooring for your home. Take a look at the list below for some of the main benefits of choosing to have parquet flooring installed at your home:

Budget-Friendly

Parquet flooring is not too expensive to have installed – especially when compared to some other flooring options. There are cheaper flooring options available, as well as durable, more expensive options. The great thing about parquet flooring is that it is long-lasting and robust. So, although there is an upfront cost, it is worth it in the long term.

Durable

Parquet flooring is very durable and is resistant to daily wear and tear for many years. Since it is usually made from hardwood, it is very strong and can last for a very long time. Parquet flooring can last up to fifty years with the right materials, so it can work out to be a great investment, and you won't have to worry about replacing your floors again any time soon.

man laying wood floor

Appealing Appearance

Parquet flooring offers a unique aesthetic that works with any décor style. No matter your taste, there's a style of parquet flooring to suit you. Parquet floor panels are arranged in various patterns, so you can choose a pattern that suits the rest of your interior.

Free of Allergens

If you or a family member suffers from allergies, then parquet flooring is an excellent choice, as it doesn't trap in any allergens like carpet does. It's also very easy to clean. This means that, even if your home is prone to pet hair, you can reduce the allergens by choosing parquet flooring.

Easy to Clean

As we've just mentioned, parquet flooring is very easy to clean. It is actually one of the easiest types of flooring to keep clean. A simple routine of sweeping up the dust and debris and mopping occasionally is enough to keep it looking its best. If you spill something on your parquet flooring, you just need to wipe it up before it dries.

Parquet flooring doesn't stain, and it won't hold in any odours, so it's a great choice for all types of households, including homes with children and pets.

Hiring Contractors to Lay Parquet Flooring Checklist

You will need to consider a few things before hiring contractors to install parquet flooring for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right contractors for the job:

  • Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work?
  • How much is the work to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a good price for each element of the job.
  • Is the contractor experienced in installing the type of parquet flooring that you are looking for?
  • How many years' worth of experience does the contractor have in installing parquet flooring?
  • How many contractors will carry out the job?
  • Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?
  • Will the contractor take care of any relevant waste removal?
  • Do you need to hire any additional contractors for different parts of the work?

Will the contractor follow all of the relevant building regulation guidelines if necessary?

FAQs

How do you clean parquet flooring?

Parquet flooring is very easy to clean. A simple routine of sweeping and mopping regularly is enough to keep your parquet flooring looking great. For some types of parquet flooring, you can occasionally wax or varnish the surface to improve its appearance. If you spill something on your parquet flooring, you should wipe it up quickly before it dries.

Can you sand a parquet floor?

Parquet flooring blocks tend to vary in density, so sanding will never result in a perfectly flat floor. However, sanding the floor will get it as smooth as possible. You can then improve the appearance by waxing or varnishing the surface.

How do I stop the gaps from appearing in my parquet flooring?

It's very normal for gaps to appear in your parquet flooring during the winter months as the temperature and humidity cause the blocks to shrink slightly. The best way to avoid this is to purchase a humidifier and use indoor heating during the winter months to prevent the blocks from shrinking as much.

Are parquet floors good for homes with pets?

Yes, parquet floors are good for homes with pets. These floors are very durable and also make it very easy for you to sweep up the pet hairs.

Why does my parquet floor have colour variations?

Wood is a natural material, and each plank will feature unique details such as specks and lines. These colour variations tend to be appealing as they add a unique character and charm.

Can I get parquet flooring without real wood?

Parquet flooring is most often made with solid wood blocks. However, you can achieve a parquet flooring appearance with parquet laminate flooring, parquet vinyl flooring, or parquet flooring tiles.

These offer the same appearance as parquet wood flooring but are not as durable and don't offer the traditional wooden aesthetic that parquet flooring is famous for. However, these options allow you to achieve the parquet appearance at a lower cost.

How long does it take to stain a fence?

Obviously, this will depend on the size of the fence and ease of access. But in general, you would expect most fences to be completed the same day, which helps the stain fence cost stay low.

Larger fences will need the morning for cleaning and preparation; then the actual staining process will be done in the afternoon.

Why do I need to stain my fence?

Staining your fence is one of the most common options for decorative features within your garden compared to painting, this is because they're low maintenance and don't need to consistently be checked over. Staining protects your fence from unpredictable weather conditions, outdoor elements, and general dirt, stains, cracks, and scratching.

In addition, the wood used in most natural wood fences will age and turn a greyish-silver colour, which most people find unattractive. So painting or staining is required for aesthetic reasons too. It's also a good way to decide on fence stain colours such as grey fence stain or clear fence stain, as opposed to using paint.

Sources

https://www.wood4floors.co.uk/5-parquet-wood-flooring-benefits
https://www.yourjobcost.co.uk/parquet-flooring-installation-cost
https://flooringmegastore.co.uk/handy-stuff/parquet-flooring-costs-guide
https://greyspaceflooring.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-parquet-flooring
https://www.ambiencehardwoodflooring.co.uk/wood-flooring-guide/what-are-the-differences-between-wood-flooring-species
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/8/ceilings_and_floors
https://www.reclaimedflooringco.com/top-10-questions-faqs-to-ask-about-wood-flooring

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