How much does underfloor heating installation cost? [November 2025]

How much does it cost to install underfloor heating?

There isn't really a one-size-fits-all answer to how much it costs to install underfloor heating. However, the type of underfloor heating you opt for will likely be the most significant factor.

There are two main types of underfloor heating used in UK homes - electric (dry) and water (wet) - and each comes with a different price tag. We'll cover how each system works later in this guide.

Electric systems tend to have lower labour costs than water because they are quicker and easier to install. 

Most heating engineers charge per m², which makes it easier to estimate costs for your home. Here are some ballpark averages of what you can expect to pay to install underfloor heating in London and outside of London

What's the difference between electric (dry) and water (wet) underfloor heating systems?

Choosing between electric and water underfloor heating systems will depend on your budget, room size and whether you're renovating or building from scratch.

Electric underfloor heating (dry systems): Electric systems are usually the quickest and simplest underfloor heating systems to fit. Heating mats can often be installed in just a few hours, which makes them ideal if you’re updating a bathroom or kitchen and want minimal disruption. Because they don’t require pipework, they’re a popular choice for small areas or single-room projects.

However, electricity is more expensive than gas or heat-pump energy, so running costs are typically higher, which is something to keep in mind if you're thinking of heating larger rooms or your whole home.

Water underfloor heating (wet systems): Water systems use warm water, making them far more efficient to run, especially in larger spaces or full-house installations. They’re also the best match for low-temperature heating sources like air-source or ground-source heat pumps, which work perfectly with the gentle, even heat that wet underfloor heating provides.

The trade-off is that they’re more disruptive and expensive to install - particularly if they’re being retrofitted into an existing property where floors need to be lifted, levelled or re-screeded.

What other factors affect the cost of installing underfloor heating?
 

There are often many different factors that can affect how much it costs to install underfloor heating, such as retrofitting vs installing into a new build, the state of your existing flooring construction, whether you need new insulation fitted and who you book with.
 

1. Whether you're retrofitting or installing into a new build

If you're installing underfloor heating in an existing property, your engineer may need to remove your current flooring, install insulation boards, add a self-levelling compound or new screed and adjust door heights or skirting. This can add £10 - £40 per m² for electric systems and £20 - £50 per m² for wet systems (especially if the floor needs to be raised). 

Underfloor heating is cheapest when installed as part of a renovation or new build, where the floor is already being lifted or replaced.
 

2. Your existing floor construction
 

What your floor is made from makes a big difference to the installation cost. Concrete floors may need new screed or levelling compounds, especially when fitting wet systems, while timber floors may need structural strengthening before pipework or heating mats can be installed. Then there's uneven flooring, which will need to be smoothed before installation. Depending on what floor prep is required, this alone can add £10 - £60 per m² to the total cost.

3. Whether new insulation needs to be fitted

Good insulation is essential for underfloor heating to work efficiently. If your current floor insulation isn’t up to standard, your installer may recommend upgrading it to reduce heat loss and improve performance. This keeps running costs down but will increase the initial installation price, especially in older homes where insulation levels can vary quite a bit.

4. Who you book with

When looking for a heating engineer to install your underfloor heating, you'll usually find that sole traders are cheaper than booking with a larger, well-established company. Despite the higher costs, large tradesperson companies will typically have more benefits, such as instant online quotes and booking forms, a better selection of slots and access to a dedicated customer service team on hand to help if anything goes wrong.

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Is underfloor heating more energy efficient than radiators?

Underfloor heating might feel like a luxury upgrade, but it can actually be a really efficient way to heat your home.

One of the biggest differences between underfloor heating and radiators is how the heat is spread around the room. Radiators tend to blast out heat from one or two points, which quickly rises to the ceiling before slowly working its way around the space. That’s why you can end up with cold feet and a warm head.

Underfloor heating is much more balanced. Because the whole floor gently warms up, heat rises evenly across the room. ^[1] This creates a more consistent, comfortable temperature and often means you can turn the thermostat down by a degree or two without noticing any difference.

Another reason underfloor heating is so efficient is that it runs at a much lower temperature than radiators. While radiators usually need water at around 65 - 75°C, water-based underfloor heating only needs 30 - 45°C to do the job. That means your boiler or heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard, which can help reduce your energy bills over time. In fact - water underfloor heating uses, on average, 15-40% less energy than radiators! ^[2]

Underfloor heating also works brilliantly with heat pumps and modern boilers, as these systems are designed to run more efficiently at lower temperatures. If you’re thinking long-term and want a more eco-friendly setup, underfloor heating is a great match.

Most systems can also be split into zones, letting you control the temperature in each room separately. So instead of heating the whole house, you only heat the rooms you’re actually using, which is another easy way to cut down on wasted energy.

Plus, as underfloor heating is hidden beneath the floor, you don’t need bulky radiators on the walls. That frees up space and reduces cold spots, which helps the heat stay where you want it in the room, not disappearing into the walls.

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Can I install underfloor heating myself?

It isn’t recommended to install underfloor heating systems yourself. In the UK, any electrical work must be carried out and signed off by a Part P qualified electrician, and water-based systems must be installed by a competent heating engineer. Without this, you may invalidate warranties, fail to meet building regulations and run into problems with your home insurance.

A qualified heating engineer will come equipped with the hands-on experience, knowledge and tools needed to install your underfloor heating safely and efficiently. This helps to ensure the system is correctly designed, properly tested and running as it should before your final flooring is laid.

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Where can I find a qualified heating engineer to install underfloor heating?

There are plenty of ways to find a qualified engineer to install underfloor heating - if you know where to look. Local social media groups are a great place to start, or you can ask friends and family if they’ve had any heating work done recently. Just remember to check that they’re properly certified: for electric systems, you’ll need a Part P qualified electrician to carry out the final connection, and for water systems, you’ll need a heating engineer competent in plumbing and underfloor heating installation.

Or you can save yourself the hassle and book with a professional tradesperson company like Housekeep. Simply let us know what type of underfloor heating you’d like installed, and we’ll give you an instant quote. We'll then send out a qualified engineer to fit your system at a time and day that suits you.
 

Sources
 

1. Energy Saving Trust: Underfloor heating
2. Screwfix: Underfloor heating pros & cons

Written by Georgina Shepherd & Henry Paterson

Georgina is one Housekeep's home services experts. She's interviewed thousands of the UK's best cleaners and tradespeople - so whether you need advice on a stubborn stain, or you're looking for tips to find the perfect plumber, Georgina's got you covered.

With years of experience in the industry, Henry has delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.