Flooring Cost Calculator

How Much Does New Flooring Cost?

Flooring costs vary enormously depending on the material, quality, room size, and whether you install it yourself or hire a professional. This guide breaks down costs for every major flooring type so you can budget accurately.

Flooring Material Cost Comparison

Total Project Cost by Room Size

These estimates include materials, underlay, transition strips, and skirting boards for a standard rectangular room:

Hidden Costs to Budget For

The per-m² price is just the starting point. Don't forget these extras:

Subfloor preparation — If your subfloor is uneven, self-levelling compound costs €5-10 per m² (materials) or €15-25 per m² (professional). Skipping this step voids warranties and causes problems.

Old floor removal — Removing existing flooring costs €3-8 per m² for a professional. DIY removal is free but time-consuming (especially for glued-down materials).

Underlay — €1-5 per m² unless pre-attached to the flooring. Required for laminate and most click-lock vinyl.

Transition strips — €8-15 per doorway. You need one everywhere the flooring meets a different surface.

Skirting boards — New skirting costs €3-8 per running metre. Many people reuse existing skirting, but removing and refitting it adds time.

Door trimming — Thicker new flooring may require shaving the bottom of doors. A professional charges €10-20 per door; DIY needs a door planer or oscillating tool.

Cost Per Year: The True Value Comparison

A helpful way to compare flooring is cost per year of expected life:

Porcelain tile and solid hardwood actually offer the best long-term value despite higher upfront costs, because they last decades longer than alternatives.

8 Ways to Save on Flooring Costs

1. Install it yourself — DIY saves €15-35 per m² in labour costs. Click-lock laminate and vinyl require no special tools beyond a saw and measuring tape.
2. Buy end-of-line stock — Retailers clear discontinued lines at 30-50% off. The flooring is identical quality; only the colour is being retired.
3. Shop in November — Many European flooring retailers run Black Friday and winter sales with significant discounts.
4. Buy in bulk — Purchasing flooring for the entire house at once often qualifies for volume discounts (typically 10-15% off).
5. Skip the premium underlay — A basic foam underlay with vapour barrier (€1-2/m²) performs adequately for most installations.
6. Reuse skirting boards — Carefully remove existing skirting, fit the flooring, then reattach. Saves €50-150 per room.
7. Choose standard sizes — Wider or longer planks cost 20-40% more. Standard 190mm-wide planks look excellent and cost much less.
8. Get three quotes — If hiring a professional, always get at least three written quotes. Prices vary significantly between installers.

DIY vs Professional: Cost Breakdown

For a standard 20 m² living room with mid-range laminate:

The savings are substantial, and click-lock flooring is genuinely achievable for a first-time DIYer with patience and a free weekend.

When to Invest in Premium Flooring

Spend more on flooring in these situations:

• Main living areas — You see and use them every day. Quality flooring improves daily comfort.
• Wet areas — Waterproof vinyl (€25-40/m²) outlasts cheap laminate in bathrooms by years.
• Homes you plan to keep — A €50/m² engineered wood floor that lasts 25 years costs less per year than a €20/m² laminate replaced every 10 years.
• Resale value — Real wood and quality tile add measurable resale value. Budget laminate does not.