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2026 heating deep dive

Underfloor Heating Cost by System

Compare electric and wet underfloor heating for new-build and renovation work using the current UK installation rates rather than one blended £/m² figure.

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026 · cost tables checked June 2026

Electric installation£50–£85 / m²
Wet installation£85–£110 / m²
The benchmark depends on both system type and whether the floor is new-build or retrofit. A single average rate can understate wet retrofit work or overstate a straightforward electric new-build installation.

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Underfloor heating installation cost per m²

Electric · new build
Lower-cost installation where floors are already being constructed£50–£75 / m²
Electric · renovation
Retrofit floor preparation and build-up can add cost£60–£85 / m²
Wet · new build
Pipework and manifolds cost more upfront but suit larger areas£85–£100 / m²
Wet · renovation
Highest current installation band because retrofit work is more involved£95–£110 / m²

Worked budgets by floor area

These examples are straight-line national calculations before postcode adjustment, floor-condition multipliers or other project-specific extras.

20m² project

Electric · new build£1,000–£1,500
Electric · renovation£1,200–£1,700
Wet · new build£1,700–£2,000
Wet · renovation£1,900–£2,200

40m² project

Electric · new build£2,000–£3,000
Electric · renovation£2,400–£3,400
Wet · new build£3,400–£4,000
Wet · renovation£3,800–£4,400

60m² project

Electric · new build£3,000–£4,500
Electric · renovation£3,600–£5,100
Wet · new build£5,100–£6,000
Wet · renovation£5,700–£6,600

100m² project

Electric · new build£5,000–£7,500
Electric · renovation£6,000–£8,500
Wet · new build£8,500–£10,000
Wet · renovation£9,500–£11,000

Whole-property planning context

Many full-property installations£3,000–£13,000
Wet system exampleAbout £8,000
Electric system exampleAbout £4,000

What changes the final installation cost?

  • Total heated floor area and room layout.
  • Electric mats/cables versus wet pipework and manifold systems.
  • New-build floor construction versus retrofit work.
  • Insulation, screed, overlay boards and floor-height changes.
  • Controls, zoning, electrical connections and heating-system integration.
  • Existing floor coverings and making good.

Sources

Checkatrade

Underfloor Heating Cost: 2026 UK Price Guide & Breakdown

Used for current electric/wet, new-build/renovation cost-per-m² tables and whole-property installation context.

View source ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does underfloor heating cost per m² in 2026?

Current UK installation benchmarks are £50–£75 per m² for electric new build, £60–£85 for electric renovation, £85–£100 for wet new build and £95–£110 for wet renovation.

How much is 60m² of wet underfloor heating in a renovation?

Using the current £95–£110 per m² wet-retrofit benchmark gives a straight-line national planning range of about £5,700–£6,600 before regional or project-specific adjustments.

Is electric underfloor heating cheaper than wet underfloor heating?

Electric systems are generally cheaper to install. Wet systems cost more upfront but are often preferred for larger areas or whole-house systems, particularly where they are paired with a suitable low-temperature heat source.

Why does retrofit underfloor heating cost more?

Existing floors may need lifting, insulation improvements, screed or overlay systems, door and threshold adjustments, and extra making good. Those constraints are much smaller when the floor build-up is planned from the start.