How much does it cost to screed a floor

On average, floor screeding costs between £10-£35 per square metre. This will amount to roughly £200-£850 when all factors are considered.

A screed is a mixture of cement, water, and sand that can be put prior to the installation of flooring or carpets to guarantee that the surface is entirely level. If you’re installing new flooring in your home, you should think about screeding it beforehand.

While the price appears to be expensive, it makes logical sense when considering the costs of supplies, labour, time, markups, VAT, etc. There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to a floor screed project, which is why it’s very important to budget your money before starting the project. Ask yourself: how much money are you willing to spend?

The type and quality of floor screed are two of the most critical factors. Since the cost gets more expensive in terms of materials, the quality and type have a significant role in the final price.

Traditional screed, for instance, is less expensive and the most frequently used type in the UK. However, if you want something more unique, such as liquid screed, which has become increasingly fashionable in recent years, expect to pay a lot more.

Floor Screeding Factors

To properly budget a new floor screed project, you’ll need to consider the following factors:

• Type of screed – Each type of screed will be priced differently. Usually, a liquid screed will be more pricey than the traditional or fast-drying screed.
• Screed depth – The thicker the screed, the greater the cost. Depending on the type and what you’ll use it for, you may need a thicker or thinner layer. This will affect the total cost.
• Floor area – Larger areas will require more screed, resulting in longer labour times and higher floor screed cost.
• Drying process – Certain types of screed have lengthier drying times, which can also impact the price.

Labour Costs

It is possible to screed a floor by yourself, but note that it is a difficult task. Although you can save money by avoiding labour costs, it will be more expensive in the long run if you make a mistake.

The average labour cost is £10-£20 per m2. On the other hand, companies charge around £120-£200 daily.

The good news is screeding shouldn’t take too long; an average-sized room should only take about 6-7 hours.

Installation Process

When assessing the cost of a project, the type of screed used is not the only factor to consider; the method used to lay the screed is also essential. There are three different methods: fully bonded, floating, and unbonded screed.

Fully bonded are applied to a scrabbled concrete base and adhered entirely. This is usually used for traditional screed. A more modern approach, floating, requires a layer of insulation below the screed, with a slip membrane separating the insulation from the screed. This method allows underfloor heating.

When it comes to the unbonded method, it must be debonded with a damp-proof membrane. It has a few advantages, including that no sub-base cracks or breaks make their way to the screed. Additionally, drying times can be eliminated, potentially saving money. However, this results in a lower-quality floor that may present problems in the future.

In a nutshell, these are the prices

Considering all the abovementioned factors, prices can amount to a total cost of £300-£600 for an average-sized room using a traditional screed.

How Can I Save Money?

Making mistakes could wind up costing you more in the long run. It’s worthwhile to hire an expert to guarantee that the process runs successfully and there will be no additional costs in the future.

Traditional screed is likely the cheapest type of screed you can use. Consider this as you begin to budget for the project, especially if you want to save money.

It’s a good idea to get offers from different companies. This way, you’ll be able to choose the company that provides you with the best value for your money.