Carpet Fitting in Greater London (14)

Carpet fitting in the UK usually costs between £3 and £7 per m², not including the carpet itself.

If you’re buying fitted carpets with installation included, the price per square metre could rise to £15 or more, depending on the carpet quality, underlay, and fitting service.

In London, average costs for a full carpet installation including materials might look like this:

• Carpet only: £6 - £60 per m²
• Underlay and fitting: £8 - £12 per m²
• Total installed: £15 - £75 per m²

For an average UK bedroom (about 12m²), that works out at £180 - £900 all in.

A full house, or areas with stairs, will cost more due to added complexity.

In most cases, yes. New carpet needs new underlay to perform at its best.

Here’s why:

• Comfort - Fresh underlay adds cushioning underfoot
• Longevity - It helps your carpet last longer by absorbing wear
• Insulation - Reduces heat loss and dampens sound
• Hygiene - Old underlay can harbour dust and allergens
• Warranties - Some carpet warranties require new underlay

That said, if your underlay is less than a year old and in excellent condition, it might be reusable.

Ask a carpet installer in London to assess it before making a decision.

Yes. Most carpet fitters in London will offer a removal service for your old carpets, though some may charge extra.

If it’s not included in your quote, you have other options:

• Take it to a local recycling centre
• Hire a skip
• Donate (if it’s clean and reusable)

Important: Always check that your fitter holds a valid waste carrier licence if they’re disposing of carpet for you. It means they’re legally allowed to take away and dispose of waste materials.

Carpet fitting times vary depending on the size and shape of the space, the type of carpet, and whether any prep is needed.

Here are some rough timeframes:

• Small room: 1-2 hours
• Medium living room: 2-3 hours
• Large or complex room: 3-4 hours
• 2-3 bed house: 1-2 days

Need a more accurate estimate?

Ask carpet fitters in London when you get a quote. They’ll factor in things like stairs, multiple rooms, or if old carpet needs to be removed first.

While carpet fitting isn’t a regulated trade, many skilled fitters have training and accreditation.

Look out for:

• NVQ Level 1 or 2 in Floor Covering
• Membership of the NICF (National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers)
• CSCS card (for health and safety on construction sites)

At Checkatrade, we carry out up to 12 checks before tradespeople appear on our site. So whether you’re after carpets with installation, underlay fitting, or stair runners in London, you can feel more confident in who you hire.

Yes, some carpets can but it’s essential to choose carpets and underlay designed for use with underfloor heating. You’ll need to consider:

• Carpet type – Hessian-backed carpets tend to be more suitable as they allow heat to pass through more efficiently compared to felt-backed carpets, which can trap heat

• Underlay – You’ll want to go for a low-tog underlay to minimise unwanted insulation on top of your underfloor heating

• Thermostat settings – Avoid setting the temperature too high as this can damage the carpet

  For the best results, discuss carpet options with local carpet fitting experts in London who can advise on the best carpets for use with underfloor heating.

What happens if I fit the wrong carpet?

Fitting the wrong type of carpet over underfloor heating can cause several issues:

• Inefficient heating and higher energy bills caused by thick, dense carpets that trap heat and reduce the efficiency of your underfloor heating system

• Overheating – In some severe cases, trapped heat can cause the floor to overheat and damage the flooring and carpet

• Shorter lifespan of your carpet – Regular overheating can damage carpet fibres and cause premature wear and tear

  To avoid these issues, take time to research your options and speak to a carpet fitting expert to help you choose the right type of carpet for your underfloor heating system.

Carpeting a 3-bedroom house in the UK typically costs between £1,500 and £3,000, depending on the size of each room, the quality of the carpet, and any extras like underlay or stair fitting.

In London, this range may shift slightly based on local labour rates.

Here’s a rough breakdown for a standard 3 bed home:

• 3 bedrooms (each ~12m²): £180 - £900 per room
• Landing and hallway: £300 - £600
• Staircase (straight, 13 steps): £150 - £250
• Underlay and fitting (throughout): £800 - £1,200

Factors that affect cost:

• Carpet type: Premium options like wool cost more than synthetic blends.
• Room layout: Odd shapes or multiple doorways add time and complexity.
• Furniture removal: If your fitter is moving heavy furniture, it may cost extra.
• Old carpet removal: Some fitters include this, others charge a separate fee.

Want a tailored estimate? Use our request a quote tool and get quotes from multiple carpet fitters in London.

You can expect the cost of carpet fitting for a 12 x 12 foot room in the UK (which equates to roughly 14m2) to be somewhere in the region of £300 - £800.

Find out more in our carpet fitting cost guide.

Not all carpet fitters supply underlay as part of their service. It depends on how they operate and what’s included in your quote.

In short:

• Some fitters supply underlay directly and will recommend the best type for your carpet and subfloor.
• Others expect you to provide it or source it separately, especially if you're buying carpet from a separate retailer.
• Big retailers like Carpetright or Tapi may bundle underlay with your carpet purchase, but installation teams might still charge separately for fitting it.
• Independent fitters often offer more flexibility, allowing you to choose premium or budget underlay options.

Before booking:

• Always ask if underlay is included in your quote.
• Confirm the type and tog rating, especially important for underfloor heating.
• If supplying your own, ensure it's compatible with your carpet warranty and the fitter's installation methods.

A good underlay can significantly improve comfort, insulation, and carpet lifespan so don’t overlook it during your planning.

For a typical straight staircase with 13 steps, you’ll usually need around 8 to 10 square metres of carpet.

Each stair tread and riser combination takes up about 0.6 to 0.75 m², depending on the size of the steps.

Here’s how to work it out:

1. Measure the depth of the tread (the part you step on) and the height of the riser (the front).
2. Add them together to get the length needed per step.
3. Multiply by 13 (for each stair), and by the width of the staircase.

Example:

• Tread = 25cm, Riser = 20cm, Total = 45cm (0.45m)
• Width of stairs = 80cm (0.8m)
• 0.45m x 0.8m x 13 stairs = 4.68m²
• Add extra for pattern matching or shaping - most fitters allow 10-20% more.

Cost-wise, carpet for stairs usually ranges from £150 to £250, depending on the carpet and whether underlay is included.

A carpet fitter in London can measure up and confirm exactly what you’ll need.