Costs of laminate flooring
Laminate flooring installation costs 2026
Having laminate flooring installed costs on average between €9 per m² for large areas and €65 per m² for small spaces under 4 m². During this task, laminate planks are placed on a subfloor for a durable and aesthetic floor. The price depends on the surface area, the type of subfloor, and any preparations. In this price guide, you can read about the costs of laying laminate and what you should look out for.
Table of Contents
- What does it cost to have laminate flooring installed?
- Laminate flooring installation costs by pattern and area
- Price-determining factors for laminate installation
- Additional costs and surcharges for laminate installation
- How does the professional work when laying laminate?
- How can you save on laminate flooring installation?
- Find the best professional for laminate flooring installation
- Frequently asked questions about laminate installation
- Book a professional for laminate flooring installation
- Useful links
What does it cost to have laminate flooring installed?
The costs for laying laminate vary between €9 per m² for large areas from 80 m² to €18 per m² for smaller spaces between 4 and 9 m². For very small areas under 4 m², a fixed price of €65 applies. The rate is calculated via a tiered system: the larger the area, the lower the rate per m².
Laminate flooring installation costs per area
| Area | Price per m² |
|---|---|
| < 4 m² | €65 (fixed price) |
| 4 – 9 m² | €18 per m² |
| 10 – 14 m² | €14 per m² |
| 15 – 29 m² | €12 per m² |
| 30 – 49 m² | €11 per m² |
| 50 – 79 m² | €10 per m² |
| ≥ 80 m² | €9 per m² |
The table shows that the costs per m² drop significantly for larger areas. For an average living room of 25 m², you pay, for example, €12 per m², while an entire floor of 80 m² costs only €9 per m². For very small spaces such as a toilet or storage room, the fixed price of €65 is the most cost-efficient.
The costs for having laminate installed include 21% VAT and labour. The material (laminate and subfloor) is not included in these rates. Additional work such as removing old floor covering or leveling the subfloor is calculated separately.
Laminate flooring installation costs by pattern and area
The costs for laying laminate depend not only on the area but also on the laying pattern. A herringbone pattern requires more precision and time than a standard laying pattern, so a surcharge applies. Below you can see the extra costs for herringbone per area category.
| Area | Herringbone surcharge per m² |
|---|---|
| 4 – 9 m² | €14 per m² |
| 10 – 14 m² | €13 per m² |
| 15 – 29 m² | €12 per m² |
| 30 – 49 m² | €14 per m² |
| 50 – 79 m² | €10 per m² |
| ≥ 80 m² | €10 per m² |
Price-determining factors for laminate installation
The total costs for laying laminate are determined by several factors. Below you can read which aspects influence the price and why.
Area of the room
The area to be covered is the most important factor. For small areas under 4 m², a fixed price of €65 applies, as travel time and preparation take up relatively much time. As the area increases, the costs per m² decrease. At 80 m² or more, you only pay €9 per m², because the professional can work more efficiently and distribute the same preparation time over more square metres.
Laying pattern
A herringbone pattern requires significantly more precision, customisation, and sawing than a standard laying pattern. Each plank must be accurately placed at an angle and cut to size. This requires more time and craftsmanship, resulting in a surcharge of €10 to €14 per m² on top of the base price. No extra surcharge applies for standard laying patterns.
Type of subfloor
The subfloor provides sound insulation and leveling. Foil costs €1 per m² extra, boards also €1 per m², and the combination of foil and boards costs €2 to €3 per m². Without a subfloor, laminate can lie unevenly or make creaking sounds, so these extra costs are often necessary for a durable result.
Installing skirting boards
Skirting boards finish the floor and cover the expansion gap along the walls. Standard adhesive skirting boards cost €3 per metre, while high MDF skirting boards that are screwed or glued cost €5 to €7 per metre. High skirting boards require more sawing and precision at corners.
Removing old floor
If the old floor covering must be removed first, this costs €4 to €5 per m² extra. Removing carpet, vinyl, or old laminate takes time and labour, and the waste must be disposed of. The more firmly the old material is attached, the more work this requires.
Complexity of the space
Rooms with many corners, niches, doorways, or obstacles such as radiators require more sawing and precision. Every corner must be accurately measured and cut to size, which increases the labour duration. Simple rectangular rooms are faster to cover and therefore cheaper.
Material costs of laminate
The laminate itself is not included in the installation costs. Laminate costs from €8 to €14 per m², depending on wear resistance, thickness, and design. More expensive laminate often has better quality and a longer guarantee, but it does increase the total price.
Urgent jobs
Urgent jobs are more expensive than planned work. The professional must adjust their schedule and possibly postpone other jobs. This increases the costs with a surcharge depending on the urgency.
Work at weekends
Work on Saturday or Sunday costs more than during the week. Professionals charge higher rates for weekend work because this falls outside regular working hours.
Preparation of the floor
If the subfloor is uneven, it must first be levelled. Levelling costs extra time and material, thereby increasing the total price. A flat, clean subfloor saves costs and prevents problems later.
Accessibility and access
Difficult accessibility such as narrow stairwells or high floors without a lift can increase the labour duration. Also, if the room is still full of furniture, it takes more time to carry out the job.
Local availability of the professional
Local professionals can be on-site faster and charge less travel time, which saves costs. Platforms like Zoofy connect you with local professionals without call-out charges, so you know what you are paying in advance.
Additional costs and surcharges for laminate installation
Extra costs are situational. At Zoofy, you do not pay call-out charges.
- Laying a subfloor costs €1 per m² for foil, €1 per m² for boards, or €2 to €3 per m² for the combination of foil and boards
- Herringbone surcharge: €8 to €14 per m² extra depending on the area, due to the extra sawing and precision
- Installing skirting boards: standard adhesive skirting boards cost €3 per metre, high MDF skirting boards €5 to €7 per metre
- Removing old floor: €4 to €5 per m² for removing and disposing of carpet, vinyl, or old laminate
- Urgency surcharge: a surcharge applies for urgent jobs because the professional must adjust their schedule
- Weekend surcharge: work on Saturday or Sunday is more expensive than during the week
How does the professional work when laying laminate?
Laying laminate follows a fixed sequence of steps.
- Preparation: The professional checks whether the subfloor is flat, dry, and clean. If necessary, a subfloor of foil or boards is laid for insulation and levelling. This prevents creaking sounds and ensures a stable base.
- Layout: The laminate planks are laid out with an expansion gap of 5 to 10 mm along the walls to compensate for expansion. With a herringbone pattern, the centre line is first determined as a starting point for the rest of the pattern.
- Laying: The planks are laid row by row using the click system. For herringbone, the planks are placed at an angle of 45 or 90 degrees, which requires more precision and sawing. A standard laying pattern is faster.
- Finishing: The skirting boards are placed or glued to finish the edges and cover the expansion gap. Any transition profiles at doorways are installed for a neat finish.
- Duration and preparation: A room of 20 m² can be laid in 2 to 4 hours. Herringbone takes longer due to the more complex pattern. Ensure the room is empty, clean, and dry before the professional arrives.
How can you save on laminate flooring installation?
There are several ways to reduce the costs of laying laminate without compromising on quality.
- Combine rooms: Have multiple rooms laid at the same time. The larger the total area, the lower the costs per m². At 80 m² or more, you only pay €9 per m² instead of €12 to €18 per m² for smaller spaces.
- Choose a standard laying pattern: Herringbone is aesthetically pleasing but costs €8 to €14 per m² extra due to the precision work. A standard staggered bond saves this surcharge without concessions to durability.
- Prepare the space: Remove furniture yourself and ensure the floor is clean and dry. This saves labour hours and prevents extra costs for preparation.
- Plan during the week: Do not book the job at the weekend or as an urgent task to avoid surcharges. Regular planning keeps costs low.
- Book via Zoofy: You get a fixed rate in advance, without call-out charges and without surprises. You only pay after the job is completed.
Find the best professional for laminate flooring installation
A skilled floor layer prevents you from paying double due to mistakes such as creaking planks or loose joints.
- No call-out charges: at Zoofy, you never pay extra for the professional's arrival, which keeps costs transparent
- Fixed price in advance: you know exactly what you are paying without surprises afterwards, so you can budget the costs in advance
- Quick booking without hassle over quotes: reserve a professional directly and choose a time, without endlessly comparing quotes
- Payment via QR code: you only pay after the job is completed, safely and easily
- Reliable, verified professionals: all affiliated professionals are screened for quality and experience
- Guarantee on results: with incorrectly laid laminate, planks can start to creak, bulge, or come loose, which is why the affiliated professionals only work with certified specialists who ensure a sleek end result
Frequently asked questions about laminate installation
What does laminate flooring installation cost per m²?
The costs for laying laminate vary from €9 per m² for large areas from 80 m² up to €18 per m² for small spaces between 4 and 9 m². For areas under 4 m², a fixed price of €65 applies.
What does it cost to lay 50 m² of laminate?
For an area of 50 m², you pay €10 per m² for laying, which amounts to €500 in labour. Note: material costs and any subfloor are not included here.
What are the costs for 100 m² of laminate?
For 100 m², you pay €9 per m² in labour, so €900 for the installation. For this larger area, you benefit from the lowest tiered rate.
Is herringbone laminate more expensive to lay?
Yes, herringbone costs €10 to €14 per m² extra on top of the standard costs for laying laminate. This is due to the precision work and extra sawing required for the pattern.
Do I need to have a subfloor installed?
A subfloor is often necessary for sound insulation and levelling. This costs €1 to €3 per m² extra, depending on whether you choose foil, boards, or a combination.
How long does it take to lay laminate?
A room of 20 m² is laid in 2 to 4 hours with a standard laying pattern. A herringbone pattern takes longer due to the complexity of the pattern.
Must the old floor be removed first?
Usually yes, especially with carpet or damaged floors. Removal and disposal costs €4 to €5 per m² extra.
Are prices including VAT?
Yes, all costs per m² at Zoofy include 21% VAT and labour. Only the material and any additional work are calculated separately.
Do I have to purchase the laminate myself?
Yes, the prices for installation are exclusive of material. Laminate costs from €8 to €14 per m², depending on quality and design.
What does it cost to install skirting boards?
Standard adhesive skirting boards cost €3 per metre. High MDF skirting boards that are screwed or glued cost €5 to €7 per metre.
Book a professional for laminate flooring installation
Ready to have laminate installed? At Zoofy, you book a professional directly, without quotes and without call-out charges. You see exactly what it costs in advance, and Zoofy connects you with a reliable professional who has been verified. You only pay when the work is done. Book a professional directly now.