Flooring Installation in Harlow

Ask every installer to itemise: material brand and wear-layer/thickness, underlay, subfloor prep, old floor removal and disposal, trims, beading and door thresholds, furniture moving, and waste allowance. The headline per-area rate is meaningless without those lines — most disputes come from prep and trims that one quote included and another did not.

Subfloor prep means making the base flat, dry and sound: self-levelling compound over uneven concrete, replacing damaged boards or plywood, and adding a moisture barrier over slabs. Skipping it causes clicking joints, gaps and premature wear, and it voids most manufacturer warranties. It is normally priced separately per area, so ask every installer to inspect and price it before you compare quotes.

Waterproof materials: vinyl plank/tile, ceramic or porcelain tile, or specifically water-rated laminate. Standard laminate and solid wood swell when water gets into joints, so most installers will advise against them in wet rooms even if you like the look.

Order 8-10% more than the measured area to cover cutting waste, and 12-15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns. Keep a spare box after the job for future repairs — matching a discontinued product years later is difficult.

Supplied and fitted: laminate roughly £15-£45 per m², LVT (luxury vinyl tile) £25-£60 per m², and engineered wood £40-£90 per m². Labour alone is typically £15-£30 per m², with latex screed subfloor levelling extra.

Most will for an agreed fee including disposal — typically a modest per-room charge. Uplifting old glued vinyl or parquet is slower and costs more, so have the fitter see it before quoting.