Flooring finishes can equal 2% to 5% of the total construction cost and represent a significant investment in the overall project; they are also one of the most heavily used parts of a building, so whole-life costs are as important to consider as capital costs. A holistic approach should be adopted to deliver maximum benefits rather than focus on capital costs alone.
The following guide rates are for the supply and installation of a range of floor types. The rates should not be viewed as minimum or maximum values, rather they reflect rates typically seen in tenders received. Floor finishes offer perhaps the widest range of products and price levels.
The choice of floor types, quality and colour is truly enormous and great care needs to be given to the decisions made. Costs of the actual floor itself and any substrate requirement vary greatly. It is important to consider product properties and performance requirements relative to the intended use.
Each choice will have some effect on the price, as will the area and shape of the floor which is to be covered.
Installation
The appearance and performance of floor coverings are determined to a large extent by the quality of the prepared base or screed on which they are laid. The design and construction of the subfloor must meet the requirements for hardness, soundness, levels and surface regularities, dryness and other design parameters before whatever floor covering is chosen.
Any incompatibility with other trades or unsuitable conditions of work can restrict the ability of the floor layer to provide a neat, well adhered and satisfactory, lasting, floor finish. While the need to provide the correct material through the specification is obviously important, careful consideration must be given to on-site quality control to achieve the desired quality finish.
No allowance has been made for any attendances which may be required eg power, protection, room heating and suitable storage – which needs to be dry, clean, ventilated, waterproof, warm and secure.
Rates are a guide only and are Q12020 excluding VAT. They do not include any contractor prelims. Source Spons Architects’ and Builders’ Price Book.
FLOOR TYPE / £/m2
In situ screed and floor finishes; laid leveI
Self levelling latex screed; 3mm thick on existing sub-base prior-receiving floor finishes £10.80-14.40
Cement and sand (1:3) screeds; steel trowelled;100mm thick £25.50-31.00
Granolithic; laid on green concrete; 38 mm thick £27.50-35.00
Resin; 2-coat application nominally 350-500 micron thick £16.70-20.00
Resin; 3-part solvent-system; up-3mm thick £52.00-63.00
Sheet/board flooring
Chipboard; 18mm-22mm thick chipboard flooring; t&g joints £17.70-21.00
Wrought softwood t&g strip flooring; polished; including fillets £30.00-36.00
Sprung composition block flooring (sports), court markings, sanding and sealing £170.00-210.00
Rigid Tile/Slab finishes
Quarry tile flooring £73.00-88.00
Glazed ceramic tiled flooring; anti slip standard plain tiles £47.50-58.00
Glazed ceramic tiled flooring; anti slip tiles £52.00-63.00
Glazed ceramic tiled flooring; designer tiles £110.00-130.00
Terrazzo tile flooring 28mm thick white Sicilian marble aggregate tiling £52.00-65.00
York stone 50mm thick paving £170.00-210.00
Slate tiles, smooth; straight cut £78.00-95.00
Portland stone paving £280.00-340.00
Roman Travertine marble paving; polished £275.00 330.00
Granite paving 20mm thick £420.00-510.00
Parquet/wood block finishes; wrought hardwood block floorings; 25 mm thick; polished; t&g joints £150.00-180.00
Flexible tiling; welded sheet or butt joint tiles; adhesive fixing
Vinyl floor tiling; 330mm x 333mm x 2.00mm thick £15.50-18.80
Vinyl safety flooring; 2.00-2.50mm thick £48.00-59.00
Vinyl safety flooring; 3.5mm thick heavy duty £56.00-68.00
Linoleum tile flooring; 333mm x 333mm x 3.20mm thick £41.00-50.00
Linoleum sheet flooring; 2.00mm thick £32.00-39.00
Rubber studded tile flooring; 500mm x 500mm x 2.50mm thick £44.00-53.00
Carpet; including underlay, edge grippers
Heavy domestic duty £62.00-75.00
Heavy domestic duty;-treads and risers £49.00-60.00
Heavy contract duty £48.50-59.00
Entrance Matting
Barrier matting with polished brass / stainless steel frame £320.00-540.00
Access Floors
Raised access floors: including 600mm x 600mm steel encased particle boards on height adjustable pedestals 300mm; light/medium grade duty £50.00-60.00
Raised access floors: including 600mm x 600mm steel encased particle boards on height adjustable pedestals 300mm; heavy grade duty £67.00-81.00
Common floor coverings bonded-access floor panels
Heavy duty fully flexible vinyl £25.00-30.00
Anti static vinyl £31.00-38.00
Needle punch carpet £19.00-23.00