Average laminate floor cost

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Choosing the right laminate
With such a huge range of attractive laminate floorings on offer, it can be difficult to choose. Choosing the right colour and style is often a matter of finding something which will complement your existing décor. Light coloured laminates are ideal for a modern, contemporary home while darker laminates which imitate hardwood floors are great for a more traditional look.

As well as looks, it is important to consider the durability of the laminate you plan to install. Laminate flooring is sold in different grades according to levels of toughness, so think about how and where it will be used in your home. If you plan to use it in areas of high traffic, for example in your hall or kitchen, you will need a higher grade laminate than you would in the spare room.

Although laminate flooring is tough, it can be scratched - especially by grit under a chair leg or shoe. To avoid this happening, use a mat and encourage your family to wipe their feet. Laminate is easy to clean and can usually just be wiped with a damp mop. Many manufacturers now offer a guarantee of up to 50 years on laminate flooring, something you would be advised to look out for when comparing suppliers.

Installation
Modern laminate flooring is laid using a click installation system, which makes it relatively easy to install. The pieces fit together like a jigsaw, which removes the need for nails or glue. Because laminate flooring is thinner than solid wood flooring, it is usually wise to use an underlay. Depending on the type of underlay chosen, this can have the advantage of insulating the floor against sound and heat loss, protecting against damp and smoothing an uneven underlying surface. Changes in temperature can cause laminate flooring to expand and contract, so it is important to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of your room. Many people choose to use beading around the edge of the room to hide the gap between the flooring and the skirting board, although this is in no way essential.

Fitting a laminate floor should be a manageable task for an accomplished DIY'er. Even if you haven't undertaken a similar project before. There are plenty of tutorials and how-to guides around to instruct you (see our how to lay laminate flooring project). That said, if you're not a DIY fan or are in a rush, hiring someone to do it for you is a good alternative. As it is relatively easy to install, hiring a handyman or flooring contractor to lay your laminate flooring won't add too much to the cost of your project. Fitting one room of laminate should not usually take more than one or two days, so ask for an estimate with times as well as cost.

Materials
Laminate flooring is a cost-effective option with prices starting from around £10 per square meter. When compared with hardwood flooring which typically starts from at least double that amount, you start to understand why laminate has become such a popular choice. The actual cost of your laminate flooring will of course depend on the size of the area you plan to cover. To calculate how much laminate you will need, multiply the length by the width to get the square meterage. Most suppliers sell laminate flooring in packs and should allow you to return un-used packs if you buy too much. You will also need to factor-in the cost of underlay and beading if you decide to use it.

Labour
If you opt to contract a handyman to lay your laminate floor, expect to pay in the region of around £25 per hour for labour. You should ask for an estimate from your handyman and most should agree to a fixed price for the job. Most flooring contractors charge by the square meter to fit laminate flooring, with average prices coming in at between £30 and £40. Obviously costs vary depending on location; you would expect to pay more in the South of England and within the M25 than elsewhere in the UK.