Wood Floor Installation & Floor Fitting

FlooringFirst provides floor installation and supply-and-fit services across London for engineered wood, solid wood, parquet, laminate, LVT and SPC flooring. We assess the subfloor before fitting, recommend the installation method suited to the flooring and property, and carry out the preparation, fitting and finishing work required for a complete installation. We work with homeowners, landlords, property managers and commercial clients throughout London.

Planning a new floor? Book an obligation-free site visit and we can inspect the subfloor, measure the area, discuss flooring and fitting options, and provide a written quotation.

Flooring We Install

Different floors require different subfloor conditions, fitting methods and preparation. Choosing the product and deciding how it will be installed should therefore be considered together rather than as separate decisions.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood combines a real timber surface with a layered core designed to reduce dimensional movement. It is a practical choice for many London properties and is available in straight plank, wide-board and patterned formats.

Depending on the product and subfloor, engineered flooring may be:

• fully bonded with adhesive;
• floated over underlay;
• mechanically fixed over a suitable timber base.

It is also one of the main real-wood options considered for properties with underfloor heating, provided the particular flooring product is approved for the system.

Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is made from timber throughout the full thickness of each board. It offers substantial longevity and future refinishing potential, but it also reacts more strongly to changes in moisture and humidity than engineered flooring.

Before fitting solid wood, the condition and moisture of both the flooring and the subfloor need to be assessed carefully. The appropriate expansion allowance and fixing system depend on the board dimensions, subfloor and manufacturer's fitting specification.

Parquet, Herringbone & Chevron Flooring

Parquet requires considerably more setting-out than straight plank flooring because small errors at the start of the installation become increasingly visible as the pattern continues across the room.

We install:

• herringbone;
• chevron;
• traditional parquet blocks;
• engineered parquet;
• straight and brick-bond layouts;
• decorative borders where suitable.

Correct centre lines, pattern direction, subfloor flatness and perimeter cuts are particularly important with parquet.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is normally installed as a floating floor over a suitable underlay. Good results still depend on a dry, stable and sufficiently flat base. The installation also needs to account for expansion around walls and fixed objects, doorway details, thresholds and changes between adjoining floor finishes.

LVT & SPC Flooring

Luxury vinyl tile and SPC provide highly durable alternatives where water resistance and easy maintenance are priorities. Depending on the product, installations can use either:

• glue-down LVT;
• click LVT;
• rigid-core SPC systems.

Glue-down LVT in particular exposes irregularities in the substrate, making careful levelling and preparation essential.

Which Flooring Is Best for Your Property?

There is no single flooring type that is best for every room. The right choice depends on how the room will be used, the existing subfloor, expected foot traffic, moisture exposure, underfloor heating, maintenance expectations and the appearance you want.

These are starting points rather than universal rules. The individual product specification and conditions at the property still determine whether a floor is suitable. If you have not selected the flooring yet, we can discuss the options during the site visit rather than deciding on an installation system before the subfloor has been assessed.

The Subfloor Comes Before the New Floor

Many installation problems originate below the visible flooring. Before fitting, the base needs to be sufficiently dry, flat, stable and clean for the flooring and fixing system being used.

A site assessment may identify work such as:

• levelling uneven concrete;
• repairing loose or damaged floorboards;
• reinforcing unstable timber areas;
• installing plywood where an improved timber base is required;
• moisture testing;
• applying a damp-proof system where appropriate;
• removing incompatible old flooring or adhesive;
• installing acoustic or thermal underlay.

Preparation requirements are quoted according to the actual condition of the property rather than automatically added to every installation.

Concrete Subfloors

Concrete must be checked for both moisture and flatness before wood or bonded flooring is installed. A floor that looks dry at the surface may still contain enough moisture to cause problems with timber or adhesive systems. Where readings are outside the requirements of the proposed flooring system, additional moisture protection may be needed before fitting begins. Low areas, ridges and damaged sections may also need levelling or local repair.

Timber Subfloors

Existing floorboards and sheet-material subfloors should be structurally stable before another floor is laid over them. Loose boards, movement, damaged sections and significant variation in level should be dealt with first. Depending on the installation, a plywood overlay or other preparation may be recommended to create an appropriate fitting surface. This preparation is particularly important with parquet and other bonded floors, where movement in the base can transfer directly through to the finished floor.

What Happens During a Floor Installation?

Every project is different, but a typical FlooringFirst installation follows the same underlying sequence.

1. Site Survey and Measurements

We inspect the rooms, measure the installation area, look at the existing subfloor and discuss the flooring you intend to use. This is also the point at which practical details such as door heights, skirting, thresholds, adjoining floors and access can be identified.

2. Subfloor Preparation

Any preparation included in the quotation is completed before installation begins. That may involve levelling, local repairs, plywood installation, moisture protection or removal of existing finishes.

3. Flooring Acclimatisation

Where the flooring manufacturer requires acclimatisation, the material is stored under the specified site conditions before fitting. Different flooring products have different requirements, so a generic acclimatisation period should not be assumed for every floor.

4. Installation

The floor is installed using the agreed fitting system. Expansion allowances, board alignment, adhesive application or mechanical fixing are handled according to the flooring and installation specification.

5. Doors, Thresholds, Skirting and Beading

A floor should work properly at the edges as well as across the main room.

Where included in the quotation, we can complete details such as:

• door and frame trimming;
• thresholds;
• profiles between different floor finishes;
• skirting;
• perimeter beading.

6. Finishing and Handover

Unfinished timber flooring may require sanding and the application of oil or lacquer after installation. Pre-finished flooring normally requires no on-site surface finishing, although adhesive curing periods and manufacturer instructions still need to be followed before normal use. We explain any relevant aftercare requirements when the work is completed.

How Much Does Floor Installation Cost in London?

The fitting price depends on the flooring type, pattern, installation method, room layout and the amount of preparation required.

FlooringFirst's current fitting price guide starts from approximately:

*These are guide prices for installation services and not fixed quotations. Subfloor levelling, removal of existing flooring, moisture protection, finishing, door trimming, skirting, beading and other additional work may be charged separately.

A site visit is the most reliable way to establish the real cost because two rooms with the same floor area can require very different amounts of preparation.

What Usually Changes the Price?

The biggest cost differences tend to come from:

• flooring type;
• straight plank versus herringbone, chevron or another pattern;
• condition of the subfloor;
• glue-down versus floating or mechanically fixed installation;
• number of doorways and complicated perimeter cuts;
• existing flooring that needs lifting;
• stairs or changes in level;
• skirting, beading and thresholds;
• moisture or insulation work;
• whether unfinished timber requires sanding and finishing after fitting.

We provide a written quotation after assessing the project.

Floor Installation for London Homes

We install floors in flats, houses and residential developments throughout London. Older properties frequently require more attention below the new floor than a straightforward installation in a recently built room. Existing boards may have moved, previous floor coverings can conceal uneven areas, and adjoining rooms often have different floor heights or subfloor constructions. These issues do not necessarily prevent a new installation, but they should be identified before flooring is ordered and fitting begins.

Commercial Floor Installation

Commercial installations introduce different priorities. Foot traffic, opening hours, access restrictions, furniture, curing times and the amount of disruption the property can tolerate can all influence the flooring specification and installation programme. We work with commercial clients requiring new flooring for a range of London premises and can discuss practical matters such as:

• durable flooring options for heavier use;
• phased installation;
• subfloor preparation;
• access and working schedules;
• finishing and curing requirements;
• future maintenance.

The best system depends on both the floor itself and how the premises operate.

Why Use FlooringFirst for Your Installation?

The most important part of an installation service is not a list of marketing claims. It is whether the company can identify what the floor needs before fitting and carry the work through correctly from the base to the final details.

Our installation service can include:

• an obligation-free site visit;
• subfloor assessment;
• flooring and fitting-method advice;
• supply-and-fit options;
• subfloor preparation;
• engineered, solid wood and parquet installation;
• laminate, LVT and SPC installation;
• skirting, beading and thresholds;
• sanding and finishing where required;
• aftercare advice.

FlooringFirst has been operating since 2004 and carries out both residential and commercial flooring work across London.

Frequently Asked Questions About Floor Installation

How long does floor installation take?

A straightforward room may be fitted within one or two working days, while larger areas, parquet patterns and projects requiring substantial subfloor preparation take longer. The schedule should be based on the specific floor and preparation required rather than room size alone.

Can wood flooring be installed over concrete?

Yes. Engineered wood and certain other wood flooring systems can be installed over a suitable concrete subfloor. The concrete must first meet the moisture, flatness and preparation requirements for the flooring and installation system being used.

Can you prepare the subfloor as part of the installation?

Yes. Where required, FlooringFirst can include preparation such as levelling, repairs, plywood overlay and moisture-control work in the quotation.

Can flooring be installed over underfloor heating?

Many engineered wood, LVT and SPC products are designed for use with underfloor heating, but compatibility must be confirmed for the individual flooring product and heating system. Solid timber generally requires more caution because temperature changes produce greater dimensional movement.

Should engineered wood be glued or floated?

Both methods can be correct. The better choice depends on the board construction, subfloor, manufacturer's instructions, room requirements, acoustic considerations and underfloor heating where present. We assess these factors before recommending a fitting method.

Do you supply flooring as well as install it?

Yes. FlooringFirst offers supply-and-fit options as well as fitting flooring supplied by the client, subject to checking that the selected product is suitable for the property and proposed installation method.

Do you install floors in commercial properties?

Yes. We work with both residential and commercial clients throughout London and can plan the installation around the requirements of the premises.

Get a Floor Installation Quote

If you already know which flooring you want, we can assess the property and advise on the preparation and installation method. If you have not chosen the floor yet, we can discuss the practical differences between engineered wood, solid wood, parquet, laminate and LVT before you commit to a product. Call FlooringFirst on 020 8830 9782 or book an obligation-free site visit for your London flooring project.