The short answer
Wet underfloor heating typically costs £60–£150 per square metre supplied and fitted, and electric mats around £50–£100 per square metre. The per-m² rate usually falls as the area grows, because the fixed costs — survey, manifold, controls and setup — are spread across more floor. A small bathroom can therefore work out at a higher rate per square metre than a large open-plan kitchen. Floor build-up, insulation and whether the job is a retrofit or a new build all move the figure. These are typical illustrations, not quotes — see the main cost guide for the full picture.
Per-square-metre pricing is the fairest way to compare underfloor heating quotes, because it strips out room size and lets you weigh installers on a like-for-like basis. This guide sets out realistic 2026 per-m² ranges for wet and electric systems, explains why the rate is not fixed, and shows how floor area and build-up change the number. All figures are typical illustrations rather than quotes, and underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (wet) or a NICEIC registered electrician (electric).
Cost per square metre at a glance
- Wet (water) system £60–£150/m²
- Electric mat £50–£100/m²
- New build (wet) Lower end of range
- Retrofit (wet) Higher end of range
- Small single room Higher rate per m²
- Large open-plan area Lower rate per m²
Wet underfloor heating per square metre
Wet UFH typically costs £60–£150 per square metre supplied and fitted. New builds sit at the lower end, because the pipes can be laid before the screed and there is no existing floor to remove. Retrofits sit higher, because the floor may need lifting, levelling or building up, and a manifold and pump have to be added. The bigger the continuous area, the lower the rate tends to be, since the fixed costs of the manifold, controls and setup are shared across more floor.
| System & scenario | Typical rate per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wet — new build | £60–£90 | Pipes laid before screed; cheapest scenario |
| Wet — retrofit | £90–£150 | Floor build-up and manifold add cost |
| Electric — mat | £50–£100 | Thin mats; common for single rooms |
Electric underfloor heating per square metre
Electric mats typically cost £50–£100 per square metre supplied and fitted. The materials are relatively inexpensive and the mats are thin, so installation in a single room is quick and the floor is barely raised. The rate per square metre tends to be steadier than wet UFH because there is no manifold or pump, but very small rooms still carry a higher effective rate once the thermostat and electrical connection are included. For how the two systems compare on overall cost, see wet vs electric underfloor heating cost.
Why the rate changes with area
Several factors explain why a quote per square metre is not a single fixed number:
- Fixed setup costs — survey, manifold, pump, thermostats and commissioning are spread across the area, so larger jobs have a lower rate.
- Retrofit vs new build — lifting and rebuilding an existing floor adds labour a new build avoids. See how underfloor heating is installed.
- Floor build-up — insulation boards, screed depth and the floor finish all change the materials cost. See underfloor heating under laminate and wood floors.
- Zoning — more independently controlled zones means more thermostats and valves per square metre.
From rate to total cost
To estimate a job, multiply the per-m² rate by the heated floor area and add the fixed items — manifold, controls and any making good for a retrofit. A small bathroom of a few square metres will look expensive per square metre once the thermostat is included, while a large kitchen-diner spreads those fixed costs and looks cheaper. Always sense-check the total against our main cost guide and whole-house cost guide. This is general information; the real figure depends on your floor, system and installer, and underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (wet) or a NICEIC registered electrician (electric).
Compare underfloor heating quotes
Per-square-metre rates vary between installers. Use our service to compare quotes from a Gas Safe heating engineer or NICEIC electrician in your area.
Frequently asked questions
How much is underfloor heating per square metre in the UK?
Wet underfloor heating typically costs £60–£150 per square metre supplied and fitted, and electric mats around £50–£100 per square metre, in 2026. New builds sit at the lower end and retrofits at the higher end. These are typical illustrations, not quotes.
Why is the rate higher for a small room?
Fixed costs — the survey, manifold, controls and connection — are spread across the floor area. In a small room there is less area to share them over, so the effective rate per square metre is higher than in a large open-plan space.
Is electric cheaper per square metre than wet?
Electric mats are usually a little cheaper per square metre to install than wet systems, but electricity costs more per unit of heat, so wet is generally cheaper to run. For overall value, see wet vs electric cost.
Does the floor finish change the per-m² cost?
Yes — insulation boards, screed depth and the floor finish all affect the materials cost, and some finishes need a particular build-up. See underfloor heating under laminate and wood floors for what to check.
Sources & further reading
- Energy Saving Trust — underfloor heating costs and efficiency
- Gas Safe Register — registered heating engineers for wet systems
- NICEIC — registered electricians for electric underfloor heating
- Manufacturer guidance — floor build-up, screed depth and system specification
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Document L — efficiency standards
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Per-square-metre rates and totals vary with your floor, 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.