Underfloor heating in the UK typically costs around £3,000–£13,000 for a whole house , depending mainly on whether you choose electric or water (wet) systems, and whether it’s a new build or a retrofit.

Quick Scoop

For 2026-ish prices, these are the ballpark numbers you’ll see most often.

Typical cost per m²

Electric systems are usually cheaper to install but more expensive to run; water systems are pricier to fit but cheaper long-term.

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System type Project type Typical install cost per m²
Electric (dry) New build ~£50–£75 per m²
Electric (dry) Retrofit / renovation ~£60–£85 per m²
Water (wet) New build ~£85–£100 per m² typical; up to ~£150–£190 in complex or high‑cost areas
Water (wet) Retrofit / renovation ~£95–£110 per m² typical; can rise towards ~£185–£190 per m²
As an example, one 2026 UK guide quotes **£50–£85 per m² for electric** and **£90–£150+ per m² for water systems** , with London or complex jobs pushing the top end.

Whole‑house example costs

A few common “what would I actually pay?” snapshots from recent UK guides:

  • Around £2,300–£2,600 for electric underfloor heating in a 60 m² new‑build space (materials + labour).
  • Around £5,500–£6,500 for a water (wet) system over the same 60 m², more than double electric in many examples.
  • Typical whole‑house figures frequently fall in the £3,000–£13,000 range, depending on size, system and complexity.

One cost guide, for instance, shows a 75 m² terraced retrofit at roughly £4,500 for electric and £7,125 for wet , with larger detached homes coming in proportionally higher.

Running costs and energy

The running cost gap between electric and water systems is significant.

  • With electricity at about 24.5p per kWh , an electric underfloor system might cost roughly £373–£1,469 per year for rooms between 10 m² and 30 m².
  • A water system using gas at about 6.04p per kWh might be more like £134–£392 per year for the same room sizes.

When underfloor heating is paired with a heat pump and supported by grants (like the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales), the long‑term economics become more attractive, especially for wet systems.

Why prices vary so much

A few key things drive the final number you’re quoted:

  • Type of system: electric mats vs pipes in screed (water).
  • New build vs retrofit (retrofit often needs floor build‑up, extra labour, more disruption).
  • Floor area and layout (open‑plan is cheaper per m² than lots of small rooms).
  • Location and labour rates (London and the South East often cost more).
  • How you power it: gas boiler or heat pump vs direct electric.

A common pattern in forum discussions is: people love the comfort, but those with all‑electric underfloor in older, leaky homes sometimes report higher‑than‑expected bills , while those with well‑insulated, wet systems plus a heat pump often say it’s one of the best upgrades they’ve made.

Quick rule‑of‑thumb

If you want a fast mental shortcut for the UK right now:

  • Budget ~£60–£80 per m² for electric in most normal houses.
  • Budget ~£90–£120 per m² for wet systems in typical projects, more if it’s a tricky retrofit.
  • Expect several thousand pounds total, with water systems roughly 2x the upfront cost of electric but often notably cheaper to run.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.