Vinyl is one of the most affordable flooring solutions most homeowners in the UK prefer. The average vinyl flooring installation cost can range anywhere from £20 to £50 per square metre. When coming up with a budget for your vinyl flooring installation project, there are certain costs and factors to be considered.
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This can range from the purchasing cost, installation, to the maintenance cost, among others. We have prepared a simple but comprehensive guide on what you should expect when it comes to matters vinyl flooring cost.
How much does vinyl flooring cost
The average cost of vinyl flooring can range anywhere from £10 to £45 per square metre. This cost is dependant on the type and quality of vinyl flooring you opt for, among other factors. You can get the cheapest option for as low as £10 per square metre.
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) can cost anywhere from £45 upward because of their high quality and uncanny resemblance to natural materials like wood and stone tiles.
How much does it cost to install luxury vinyl tiles(LVT)
Luxury vinyl tiles differ in thickness and quality from the rest and this is essential in determining the overall cost. On average, you should expect to pay between £30 to £70 per square metre to install LVT flooring.
The surface where the luxury vinyl flooring is being installed will also impact the LVT flooring cost. Installation on screed floor is more affordable compared to the others. Labour costs can range from £10 to £30 depending on the tradesmen you hire.
7 additional costs to consider during vinyl fitting
Apart from the installation costs, there are other costs to factor in when you’re planning vinyl flooring installation. Some of those costs include the following;
- Labour costs
- Removing old flooring
- Purchasing new skirting boards
- Underlay costs
- Maintenance costs
- Cleaning costs
- Repair costs
1. Labour costs
On average, you should expect to pay around £200 a day for a tradesman to install vinyl flooring in your home. The labour costs will vary depending on factors such as the tradesman you hire for the job, the nature of the existing flooring, the type of vinyl flooring to be installed, and the amount of work that needs to be done.
With all these put into consideration, the cost can vary from one contractor and project to the other. You should also consider whether the labour is being charged on an hourly basis or at the end of each day.
It’s advisable to review quotes from several contractors before settling for one. With an experienced contractor you’ll have someone to do the job faster and efficiently so the price will be worth it.
2. Removing old flooring
The nature and type of existing flooring will determine whether the old flooring will need to be removed. For instance, if you had carpet flooring then this will need to be removed to allow for vinyl floor installation. You may pay anywhere from £120 to have the surface prepared for installation.
You should also note that this cost may vary depending on the type of vinyl floor you opt for and the surface it’ll need to be laid. When removing old flooring, you should also consider disposal of the waste material since it will cost you extra money.
3. Cost of purchasing new skirting boards
New skirting boards can cost between £6 to £15 per square metre depending on the type you choose. The old skirting board may be damaged when removing the old flooring hence the need to get new ones. Your space will also look better with new skirting boards.
4. Underlay cost
Depending on the type of vinyl tiles you install, you may require underlay between the subfloor and the main floor. This might cost you between £5 to £15 per square metre. Others like the loose lay kind do not require any underlay so that option might save you some cash.
5. Maintenance cost
The ease of maintenance is one of the reasons why many homeowners prefer vinyl flooring. Some of the measures you can take when it comes to maintenance include avoiding wearing heels, using a mat or rug where high traffic is expected, and applying a protective coating to prevent any marks.
Also, dirt and water entering the tile seams may make them loose after a while. This can be fixed by using a sealant which can cost between £4 to £9 per litre. Sweeping your floor regularly to prevent the dirt would go a long way.
6. Cleaning cost
Once your vinyl tiles have been installed, you should give them time to settle in. It’s advisable to take great care when cleaning them. Any spillage should also be cleaned immediately to avoid staining the floor. For any tough stains, you can buy some vinyl floor cleaner for approximately £7 to £14.
7. Repair costs
Over time, you might find your vinyl floor has some scratches or marks. These can easily be repaired using a vinyl floor repair kit which can cost you around £12 to £15. Depending on the extent of damage, you can always seek professional help from a qualified contractor.
What are the different types of vinyl flooring
Vinyl tiles are made from PVC and they come in different designs and types. Most homeowners prefer vinyl floors because of the advantages they offer with some being their affordability, durability and resemblance to the real material be it stone or wood.
One way to distinguish the different vinyl flooring types is the mode of installation. Is it stick down, loose lay, or locking system? Some of the vinyl flooring types include the following:
- Vinyl tiles
- Vinyl planks
- Vinyl sheets
- Click vinyl
Vinyl tiles
Vinyl tiles resemble stone tiles when laid and they come as individual squares of varying sizes. They can cost as low as £15 upward depending on the design and quality.
Vinyl planks
Vinyl planks resemble laminate flooring and they’re popular for their wooden look. Apart from having better quality than vinyl sheets, they can also be installed without glue. Their cost starts from £15.
Vinyl sheets
Vinyl sheets are the most affordable option since their price starts from £10 and they also take the least time to install. They make the best choice for humid or wet space since they have a limited number of seams hence reducing exposure to damage.
However, the disadvantage comes in when you need to replace a faulty piece since you need to do that to the entire room. This is because the sheets are glued together making it difficult to repair them one by one.
Click vinyl
With the price starting from £20 click vinyl is the costly option among all others. The labour costs are often lower since the installation is easy and doesn’t require any gluing. Also, there isn’t much work required to even out the surface before installation.
Factors affecting the cost of installing vinyl flooring
From the quality to the type of vinyl flooring you choose, there are tons of factors that affect the cost of installing vinyl flooring. Some of these factors that you need to consider when you’re thinking of vinyl flooring include the following;
- The material/vinyl tiles to be used
- The tradespeople hired
- The duration of the project
- The amount of work to be done
- The ease of installation
- The design being installed
- The nature of the existing flooring
What’s the duration for vinyl flooring installation
The duration for your vinyl flooring to be installed is essential in determining the final cost for your project. On average the installation can be completed within a day to three days.
This will be dependant on several factors like the type of vinyl flooring being installed, considering they take different durations. The size of the space and the amount of work involved will also determine how long it will take to complete the task.
What are the different kinds of vinyl flooring
The different kinds of luxury vinyl flooring are distinguished by their various installation methods. There’s the stick down vinyl tiles which are stuck directly to the subfloor.
The locking system or floating floor is the other kind. Once the underlay is in place, the boards are placed in away that they lock into each other.
The other option is loose lay. With this kind, no underlay is required and it needs minimum to no preparation.
With the average vinyl flooring cost being £45 per square metre for installation, it’s clear why vinyl floors are one of the most common option. Apart from the fact that you don’t have to break the bank for LVT flooring installation, their durability and versatility are the other aspect we can’t overlook. With the various options available, choosing the best quality is paramount.
Hiring a qualified contractor with the necessary expertise and skill is one way to ensure that you aren’t disappointed by the final outcome. With most of the costs discussed above, it will be easier for you to know what to expect and make informed decisions before embarking on your vinyl floor installation project.