Laminate Flooring Installation in Exeter
Professional laminate flooring installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote
Typical Duration
Day+
Location
Exeter, Devon
Laminate flooring installation for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways. Level subfloor prep, precise fitting, neat finish.
Get Your Laminate Laid Properly the First Time
Laminate flooring is brilliant - affordable, hard-wearing, and it looks decent if it's fitted right. But lay it badly and you'll have gaps opening up, creaking boards, and edges that lift. Proper laminate installation means checking the subfloor is level, leaving the right expansion gaps, and clicking boards together tight so they don't move.
💡 Pro tip: Let laminate acclimatise in the room for 48 hours before fitting. It needs to adjust to the temperature and humidity, or it'll expand/contract after installation and cause gaps or buckling.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Tight joints with no visible gaps | Gaps between boards that catch dirt |
| Level floor with no dips or creaks | Uneven surface that creaks when walked on |
| Expansion gaps left around edges | Boards tight to walls - they'll buckle in summer |
| Neat door trims and scotia finish | Raw edges showing or badly cut trims |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Subfloor Prep | Check level, fix any high spots, lay underlay if needed |
| 2. Planning | Work out board layout to minimise cuts and wastage |
| 3. Fitting | Click boards together row by row, staggering joints for strength |
| 4. Cutting | Precise cuts around doorframes, pipes, and obstacles |
| 5. Finishing | Fit scotia beading or door trims to cover expansion gaps |
📦 You're Left With
- Professionally fitted laminate throughout
- Level, solid floor with no movement
- Neat edges with scotia or trims fitted
- Room ready to use immediately
Pricing Guide
Laminate installation pricing depends on room size, subfloor condition, and how much prep work is needed. I'll quote based on square metreage once I've seen the space.
| Scope | Typical Time | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (10-12 sqm) | Half day | Quote |
| Living room (20-25 sqm) | Full day | Quote |
| Hallway/landing (awkward cuts) | Full day | Quote |
Get in touch for a free quote - I'll need room dimensions and photos of the current floor if possible.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ You want hard-wearing flooring without solid wood prices - Laminate looks good and lasts well in most rooms
✅ You've got an uneven subfloor - I'll level it properly so the laminate sits flat
✅ You're renovating and want a quick floor upgrade - Laminate goes down fast and you can walk on it straight away
✅ You've bought laminate but don't fancy fitting it yourself - The boards are easy enough, but getting neat cuts around doors and pipes takes practice
Why Choose Us for Laminate Flooring Installation in Exeter?
Level subfloor preparation included
Tight joints with no gaps or creaks
Proper expansion gaps for long life
Professional finish with scotia/trims
What to Expect
Step 1: Subfloor Check
I'll assess the existing floor to see if it's level and stable. Any dips or bumps get sorted first - laminate won't hide an uneven subfloor, it'll just amplify it.
Step 2: Underlay & Layout
I'll roll out underlay (if you've got it), then work out the best starting point and board layout to minimise waste and awkward cuts.
Step 3: Fitting
Boards get clicked together row by row, working across the room. I'll use spacers around the edges to maintain expansion gaps, then remove them once the floor is down.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the laminate is laid, I'll fit scotia beading around the perimeter and door trims at doorways to cover the expansion gaps and finish it neatly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fitting laminate is one of the more achievable DIY flooring jobs, but there are plenty of ways to cock it up:
🔧 What you'll need
- Laminate boards (room size + 10% wastage)
- Underlay (if not pre-attached)
- Spacers (8-10mm)
- Pull bar and tapping block
- Jigsaw or handsaw for cuts
- Tape measure and pencil
📐 How to do it
- Check subfloor is level (use a long spirit level) - fix any dips or bumps first
- Roll out underlay with joints taped to prevent movement
- Start in a corner, using spacers to maintain expansion gap at walls
- Click boards together end-to-end, then tap rows together lengthways
- Stagger joints by at least 30cm for stability - don't line up seams
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Not leaving expansion gaps - boards will buckle when they expand
- Forcing boards that don't want to click - you'll break the locking system
- Starting with the first row tight to the wall - it needs space to move
- Not acclimatising boards first - they'll expand or contract after fitting
💡 Pro trick: Measure the room width and work out how wide the last row will be. If it's going to be less than 5cm, rip the first row narrower so the last row is wider - it makes fitting easier and looks better.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Underlay matters: Don't skip underlay or use cheap rubbish. Good underlay reduces noise, cushions the floor, and stops moisture coming up from concrete subfloors. It's worth the extra £2 per square metre.
Combine with:
- Scotia fitting
- Door trim fitting
- Subfloor levelling
Related services:
- LVT flooring installation
- Laminate flooring repair
- Carpet removal
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does laminate flooring installation take?
A typical room takes a day. Small bedroom might be done in half a day, large living room or hallway could be a day and a half. Depends on room size, how much furniture needs moving, and subfloor condition. If the subfloor needs levelling, that adds time.
Do I need to move furniture before you arrive?
Yes, ideally. I can move lighter stuff out of the way, but wardrobes, sofas, and beds are your job - or we can work around them if they're too heavy to shift. An empty room is always quicker and easier though.
Can you lay laminate over existing flooring?
Sometimes. If you've got old vinyl or thin carpet, I can lay over it as long as the surface is level and stable. Thick carpet needs to come up first. Uneven or damaged subfloors need sorting before any laminate goes down, or it'll creak and wear unevenly.
Do you supply the laminate or do I buy it?
Either works. I can supply laminate if you want - I'll advise on what's suitable for your room and usage. Or if you've already bought it, I'll fit what you've got. Just make sure you've ordered enough, plus 10% extra for cuts and wastage.
Laminate Flooring Installation Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your laminate flooring installation job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Laminate Flooring Installation in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your laminate flooring installation job in Exeter today.