An electric mat in a small room starts at about £1,000, and a wet system across a whole ground floor can pass £7,500. The underfloor heating cost depends on the type of system, the floor build-up and the size of the area, so those are the three things to ask about. The work itself is covered on our underfloor heating page.
Underfloor heating cost by job size
Typical UK underfloor heating installation costs
| Job size | What it usually covers | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Electric mat in a bathroom or small kitchen | £1,000–£2,000 |
| Typical | Wet system in a kitchen extension of about 20 to 40 m² | £2,500–£4,500 |
| Large | Wet system across a whole ground floor | £4,500–£7,500+ |
Screed, floor finishes and any boiler or heat pump upgrades are often priced separately from the heating itself, so ask what is and is not in the figure.
Wet and electric underfloor heating costs
Electric systems use heating cable or mats under the floor finish. They are cheap to install and quick to fit, so they suit small rooms, though they cost more to run over a larger area. Wet systems use pipes carrying warm water from the boiler, which cost more to fit but suit big areas. A later guide on wet versus electric underfloor heating compares the two in depth.
What changes the cost of underfloor heating
- Floor area. Every extra square metre adds pipe or cable, labour and often screed.
- New build or retrofit. A new extension can take pipes in the screed. An existing floor may need lifting or low-profile panels.
- Insulation. Boards under the system keep heat from escaping down, and add to the cost.
- Manifold and controls. A wet system needs a manifold and a mixing unit, and each zone needs a thermostat.
- Floor finish. Tile, stone and engineered wood suit underfloor heating, while thick carpet slows the heat.
- Heat source. A boiler that cannot supply low-temperature water may need extra parts.
- Screed drying. A screeded floor must dry before the heating is switched on or the floor finish goes down.
A thick system raises the floor level, which affects door thresholds and stairs. In an existing room, ask which low-profile options the installer would use and how high the finished floor will be.
Underfloor heating in an extension or renovation
The cheapest time to fit a wet system is while the floor is open. If you are building or reworking rooms, plan the pipework before the screed goes down. Our heating a renovation or extension guide explains how to decide between underfloor and radiators. If the rest of the house needs new pipework too, see the central heating installation cost guide.
Running costs and getting a quote
Wet systems run at lower water temperatures than radiators, which suits modern boilers. Electric systems run on mains electricity, so what you pay depends on the area and your tariff. When you ask for quotes, request a room-by-room layout and a clear statement of what the floor finish needs. Electric work should be done by a registered electrician, and gas work by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register. The heating cost calculator gives a quick budget range.
Frequently asked questions
How much does underfloor heating cost?
As a guide, an electric mat in a small room costs about £1,000 to £2,000, a wet system in a kitchen extension £2,500 to £4,500 and a whole ground floor £4,500 to £7,500 or more.
Can underfloor heating be fitted to an existing floor?
Yes. Low-profile panels or overlay boards avoid digging up the old floor, though they raise the finished level slightly.
Is wet or electric underfloor heating better?
It depends on the room. Electric is simpler for one small space, and wet suits larger areas where running cost matters.
How long before I can use a new screeded floor?
Drying time varies with the screed and the thickness. Follow the screed and heating manufacturers' instructions, and do not rush the first heat-up.
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