Planning a new flooring installation in London or the South East is exciting, but understanding realistic 2026 per-square-metre supply, subfloor preparation, and fitting costs is essential before you commit. At GT Floors Ltd, we believe in complete pricing transparency with zero hidden extras.
2026 Cost Breakdown by Flooring Material (Supply & Fit vs Fit-Only)
- Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT — Click or Glue-Down Dryback): Typically £25 – £50 per m² including supply and installation (or £18 – £30/m² fit-only). LVT is 100% waterproof, scratch-resistant, and ideal for kitchens, hallways, and open-plan ground floors.
- Herringbone & Chevron Parquet (LVT or Engineered Oak): Ranges from £55 – £85 per m² supplied and fitted (or £38 – £52/m² fit-only) due to laser centre-line set-out, diagonal cutting, and full-spread adhesive bonding.
- Engineered Wood Flooring (Straight Plank): Typically £40 – £70 per m² supplied and fitted. Combines a real European oak top wear layer with cross-laminated stability for underfloor heating (view engineered wood specifications).
- Real Solid Hardwood Flooring: From £60 to £95+ per m² supplied and fitted. An heirloom timber investment that can be sanded and refinished multiple times over 60+ years.
- Heavy Domestic Laminate (AC4 / AC5): Between £15 – £35 per m² supplied and fitted. Budget-friendly, tough against pets and busy family footfall.
- Luxury Carpets & Stair Runners: Between £15 – £40 per m² fitted over high-density thermal and acoustic underlay.
Key Factors That Influence Your Final Quotation
1. Subfloor Preparation & Moisture Protection
Laying a new floor over an uneven or damp substrate voids manufacturer warranties. If your concrete base requires a 2-coat liquid Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) or fibre-reinforced self-levelling latex screed, or if timber joists need 6mm–18mm SP101 plywood boarding, budget an additional £8 – £18 per m² (learn about our subfloor preparation service).
2. Room Geometry, Stairs & Finishing Trims
Bay windows, bespoke bullnose stair cladding, undercutting door architraves, and fitting new skirting boards or solid oak thresholds require precision carpentry that we itemise clearly during your free home site survey.
