The short answer
Underfloor heating typically costs £3,000–£8,000 to install, depending on whether you choose a wet or electric system and how much floor area you cover. A wet (water) system costs more to fit because pipework, a manifold and floor build-up are involved, but it is cheaper to run. An electric mat is cheaper to install, especially in a single room, but costs more per unit of heat. Room size, floor finish, whether it is a retrofit or a new build, and the controls all move the price. These are typical illustrations, not quotes — see the cost per square metre guide for a closer breakdown.
Underfloor heating (UFH) is one of the bigger comfort upgrades a UK household can take on, and quoted prices vary widely — from a few hundred pounds for a single electric bathroom mat to many thousands for a whole-house wet system. This guide sets out realistic 2026 supply-and-fit ranges for both wet and electric UFH, explains what drives the differences, and flags the scenarios that push costs up so there are no surprises in a quote. All figures are typical illustrations rather than quotes, and underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (for wet systems off a boiler) or a NICEIC registered electrician (for electric systems).
Underfloor heating costs at a glance
- Electric mat, single room (supply & fit) £500–£1,500
- Wet system, single room (retrofit) £1,000–£2,500
- Wet system per m² (supply & fit) £60–£150
- Electric system per m² (supply & fit) £50–£100
- Whole house, wet UFH £5,000–£8,000+
- Typical overall install range £3,000–£8,000
Wet (water) underfloor heating costs
Wet UFH circulates warm water through pipes laid under the floor, connected to a manifold and fed by a boiler or heat pump. It typically costs £60–£150 per square metre supplied and fitted, with new builds at the lower end because the pipes can be laid before the screed goes down, and retrofits toward the top because the existing floor may need building up. For a whole house, a wet system generally lands between £5,000 and £8,000 or more depending on floor area and the number of zones. Because it runs at a low flow temperature, a wet system is the usual choice for whole-house heating and pairs well with a heat pump. See our whole-house cost guide for figures by property size.
| System | Per m² (supply & fit) | Single room | Whole house |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet (water) | £60–£150 | £1,000–£2,500 | £5,000–£8,000+ |
| Electric (mat) | £50–£100 | £500–£1,500 | Rarely used whole-house |
Electric underfloor heating costs
Electric UFH uses a thin heating mat or cable under the floor finish, wired back to a thermostat by an electrician. It typically costs £50–£100 per square metre supplied and fitted, and because the mats are thin it raises the floor very little — which makes it the common choice for retrofitting a single room such as a bathroom or kitchen. A typical bathroom mat comes to around £500–£1,500 fitted. Electric systems are cheaper to install than wet ones, but electricity costs more per unit than gas, so they are generally best for smaller areas rather than whole houses. See wet vs electric underfloor heating and the dedicated cost comparison.
What pushes costs up
Several factors can push an underfloor heating installation above the typical ranges:
- Retrofitting an existing floor — lifting the old floor, building up levels or laying new screed adds labour and materials. See how underfloor heating is installed.
- Multiple zones and smart controls — separate thermostats and zone valves let you heat rooms independently but add to the controls cost.
- Floor build-up and finishes — insulation boards, screed and the floor finish itself all factor in. See underfloor heating under laminate and wood floors.
- Heat source changes — if a wet system is part of a wider switch to a heat pump, the heat-source cost is separate from the UFH itself.
- Making good — reinstating skirting, doors and floor finishes after a retrofit.
Efficiency, running cost and regulations
Underfloor heating runs at a lower flow temperature than radiators, which makes it efficient — particularly with a heat pump, where the low temperature suits the way a heat pump works. That efficiency is one reason a wet system can cost less to run despite costing more to fit; see underfloor heating running costs. Newly installed wet systems must meet the relevant thermal and efficiency standards under Building Regulations Part L, and electrical work for an electric system is notifiable and should be certified by a registered electrician. This is general information; costs vary with your specific home and the quotes you receive, and underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (wet) or a NICEIC registered electrician (electric).
Compare underfloor heating quotes
Prices vary significantly between installers for the same system and job. Use our service to compare quotes from a Gas Safe heating engineer or NICEIC electrician in your area.
Frequently asked questions
How much does underfloor heating cost for a whole house?
A whole-house wet underfloor heating system typically costs £5,000–£8,000 or more in 2026, depending on floor area, the number of zones and whether it is a new build or a retrofit. New builds tend to be cheaper because the pipes can be laid before the screed. These are typical illustrations, not quotes — get at least three itemised estimates. See our whole-house guide.
How much does electric underfloor heating cost in one room?
An electric underfloor heating mat for a single room such as a bathroom typically costs £500–£1,500 supplied and fitted, or roughly £50–£100 per square metre. The mats are thin, so they suit retrofits where you do not want to raise the floor much.
Is wet or electric underfloor heating cheaper?
Electric is usually cheaper to install, especially in a single room, while wet costs more to fit but is cheaper to run. For a whole house, wet is the typical choice; for one room, electric often makes more sense. See wet vs electric cost compared.
Does underfloor heating add value to a house?
Efficient, well-fitted underfloor heating can support a home’s appeal, particularly in new builds, extensions and bathrooms, and pairs well with a heat pump for energy efficiency. The exact effect varies by property and area and is rarely a direct pound-for-pound return on the install cost. See is underfloor heating worth it.
Sources & further reading
- Energy Saving Trust — underfloor heating, energy efficiency and typical costs
- Gas Safe Register — using a registered heating engineer for wet systems off a boiler
- NICEIC — using a registered electrician for electric underfloor heating
- Manufacturer guidance — system specification, floor build-up and warranties
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Document L — efficiency standards for heating systems
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Costs, timescales and outcomes vary with your home, the system you choose and your chosen installer. Underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (wet) or a NICEIC registered electrician (electric). We are an independent information and introduction service, not an installer.