Floor Fitting in London: A Practical Guide
Whether you are installing new engineered wood in a Hackney flat, laying solid oak in a Wandsworth family home, or fitting luxury vinyl tile in a South London kitchen, floor fitting in London comes with its own set of considerations. This guide covers the process from choosing your flooring to final installation, with honest information about costs and timelines.
Choosing the Right Flooring for a London Home
London properties vary enormously, and the right flooring choice depends on the specific building and its construction.
Solid Wood
Solid wood is the traditional choice and still regarded by many as the premium option. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, meaning a well-maintained solid wood floor can last for generations. However, solid wood is sensitive to moisture and is generally not recommended for ground-floor rooms in London's older housing stock without proper subfloor damp-proofing. It is also not suitable for installation over underfloor heating.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is currently the most popular choice for London residential installations. The construction -- a real wood wear layer bonded to a plywood core -- makes it dimensionally stable, suitable for underfloor heating, and less sensitive to the humidity changes that affect solid wood. Quality engineered oak from brands like Havwoods, Quick-Step, or Boen starts at around £45 to £70 per m2 for supply only.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
LVT has grown significantly in popularity for London kitchens, bathrooms, and rental properties. It is waterproof, durable, and available in convincing wood and stone effects. Brands like Karndean, Amtico, and Polyflor supply the London market extensively. LVT is typically glued down and requires a very flat subfloor, which can add preparation costs on older London properties.
Subfloor Preparation in London Properties
One of the most important -- and most frequently underestimated -- aspects of floor fitting in London is subfloor preparation. London's housing stock includes everything from Victorian suspended timber floors to concrete slabs in post-war developments. Each requires different preparation.
Suspended Timber Subfloors
Common in Victorian and Edwardian properties across London. These floors need to be checked for moisture, movement, and level. Any squeaky boards should be screwed down before fitting begins. Significant level variation may require battening or a plywood overlay before the finished floor can be fitted.
Concrete Subfloors
Found in converted flats and post-war construction across London. Concrete must be checked for moisture with a calcium chloride or RH probe test before any wood flooring is installed. Even in apparently dry London properties, concrete subfloors can contain residual moisture that damages wood flooring if not properly addressed.
What Floor Fitting Costs in London (2026)
London fitting costs are higher than the national average, reflecting higher labour rates and the complexity of many London properties.
- Engineered wood, floating fit, standard room: £20 to £35 per m2 for labour
- Engineered wood, glue-down installation: £28 to £45 per m2 for labour
- LVT glue-down: £18 to £30 per m2 for labour
- Subfloor preparation, plywood overlay: £12 to £18 per m2
- Underfloor heating system installation (electric): £50 to £80 per m2
How to Prepare Before Your Fitter Arrives
Most floor fitters in London will expect the following to be in place before they start:
- The room cleared of all furniture
- Existing floor covering removed (or quoted separately)
- The new flooring on site and acclimatised for at least 48 hours (important for wood and engineered products)
- Any subfloor moisture issues addressed
- Skirting boards either removed or confirmed as staying in place
Acclimatisation is particularly important in London, where the difference between outdoor temperatures and centrally heated indoor environments can be significant. Wood that is fitted without adequate acclimatisation is much more likely to gap or cup after installation.
Timeline for a Typical London Floor Fitting Project
A single-room floor fitting job in London typically takes one day for the fitting itself, plus the acclimatisation period beforehand. Multi-room projects of 50m2 or more usually run over two to three days. Allow extra time for subfloor preparation if your property has an uneven or problematic subfloor -- this is more common in London's period housing stock than in newer buildings elsewhere in the country.
