How to Start a Flooring Business in 2026 (UK)

The Reality: Flooring is not just “lay the boards.” It is a subfloor, moisture, and finish business. You win on flat surfaces, clean cuts, and accurate transitions. You lose money when subfloor prep is underpriced, moisture issues are ignored, or trims are missing from the quote.

Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.

Choose Your Flooring Business Model

Pick one model to start. Mixing everything early makes quoting inconsistent and margins unstable.

Decision shortcut:

• Start with LVT and laminate if you are solo.
• Add hardwood when you can price prep and finishing properly.
• Move into commercial once your systems and photos prove quality.

Compliance and Safety (UK)

There is no single license required, but you must work safely and be competent.

Key safety basics

• Asbestos awareness for older adhesives or substrates.
• Dust control and RPE when sanding or grinding.
• Moisture testing before installs on concrete.
• Manual handling for heavy rolls and boards.

If you are unsure about a subfloor, test before you start.

Insurance You Need (Do Not Skip This)

A failed floor can be expensive to replace.

For a deeper breakdown, see: Field Service Insurance Guide 2026.

Startup Costs: Lean vs Professional

Lean Start (£2,500 to £7,000)

• Basic saws and fitting tools
• Moisture meter and subfloor prep kit
• Dust extraction and protection
• Small van or estate car
• Insurance and basic marketing

Professional Start (£10,000 to £25,000)

• Reliable van with racking
• Track saw, mitre saw, and dust extraction
• Flooring nailer and compressor
• Subfloor grinding and leveling kit
• Branded uniform and signage

Essential Equipment Checklist

Tier 1: Must-Have

• Mitre saw and jigsaw
• Tapping block, pull bar, spacers
• Moisture meter and leveling tools
• Adhesives and underlay tools
• Dust sheets, extraction, and PPE

Tier 2: Add Once Cash Flow Is Stable

• Floor nailer and compressor
• Subfloor grinder and leveling kit
• Laser measure and layout tools
• Moisture barriers and primers
• Jobsite photos kit and lighting

Pricing Strategy That Actually Works

Flooring margin disappears when prep and trims are priced wrong.

Set your hourly floor

Target monthly income + overhead + taxes = revenue target Revenue target / billable hours = hourly floor

Example: £5,000 target income + £1,300 overhead = £6,300 £6,300 / 110 billable hours = £57 per hour minimum

Common pricing models

• Per square metre: Best for LVT, laminate, and hardwood installs.
• Fixed job price: Best for smaller rooms or refits.
• Day rate: Good for repairs and snagging.

Pricing rules that protect profit

• Separate subfloor prep from installs in scope.
• Price trim, edging, and thresholds as line items.
• Charge more for pattern or herringbone layouts.
• Define moisture mitigation responsibilities clearly.

Need help with objections? Use: How to Handle Price Objections Without Dropping Rate.

Subfloor Checklist (Copy/Paste)

Bad prep creates failures. Use this before you start.

Subfloor check:
- Moisture reading
- Level and flatness
- Cracks or hollow spots
- Adhesive residue or contaminants
- Expansion gap requirements

Quote Template (Copy/Paste)

Use this to avoid scope creep and surprise extras.

Job:
Address:
Scope:
- Area: [sqm]
- Flooring type: [LVT/laminate/hardwood/carpet]
- Subfloor prep: [list]
- Trims and thresholds: [list]
Materials:
- Included (brand/spec listed)
Exclusions:
- Structural repairs
- Electrical or plumbing changes
Schedule:
- [start date] to [end date]
Price:
- £[amount]
Payment terms:
- [deposit] on booking, balance on completion

If you need stronger protection, add a contract: How to Write Trade Business Contracts.

Change Orders (Hidden Defects and Client Changes)

Subfloors hide problems. Protect yourself with a simple rule.

Change order request:
- Additional scope: £[amount] + [extra days]
- Approved by client: [name + date]

If the customer changes scope mid-job, use this: Customer Changed Job Scope After You Started.

Deposits and Progress Payments

Materials add up fast. Do not fund it yourself.

Common options:

• 30 percent deposit on booking
• 50/50 for smaller jobs
• Materials paid up front for premium flooring

If a customer refuses a deposit, treat it as a red flag: Customer Refuses to Pay Deposit: Red Flags.

Snagging Checklist

Finish quality wins reviews.

• Check alignment and gaps
• Confirm thresholds and trims
• Test transitions and doors
• Photograph the final finish
• Walk through with the client and get sign-off

Build a Service Menu (So You Can Quote Fast)

Start with 3 core services and defined scope.

Add-ons to upsell:

• Underlay upgrades
• Soundproofing layers
• Staircase fitting

Winning Customers (Fast)

Flooring is visual and trust-driven.

• Before-and-after photos on Google Business Profile weekly
• Short video walk-throughs on social media
• 10 reviews in your first 60 days
• Partnerships with builders and property managers
• Quote turnaround within 24 hours

For local SEO that works, use: Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026.

Turn One-Offs Into Repeat Work

Repeat work keeps the calendar full.

• Annual refresh for rentals
• Maintenance plans for landlords
• Repair and reseal services

Need templates? Use: Maintenance Contract Templates 2026.

Metrics to Track Every Week

These metrics show whether the business is healthy:

• Revenue per job
• Quote win rate
• Change order rate
• Snag or rework rate
• Average margin per job
• Overdue invoices count

Software That Actually Helps

Avoid heavy software until you have stable demand.

Month 1 to 3: Keep It Simple

• Scheduling: Google Calendar
• Quotes and invoices: Toolfy (£29/month includes scheduling + invoices + payment tracking)
• Customer details: Spreadsheet or notes app

Month 3 to 12: Systemize

• Job management: Toolfy handles scheduling, invoices, customer records, and payment tracking
• Payments: Send card or bank transfer links the same day
• Reminders: Automated payment follow-ups for late invoices
• Reviews: Trigger review requests after every completed job

Toolfy quick setup (30 minutes)

• Create service templates for LVT, laminate, and hardwood.
• Save your scope and exclusions in the quote template.
• Turn on payment reminders for overdue invoices.
• Track photos and snag notes per job.

Your First 90 Days Action Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Get insurance quotes
• Build your service menu and prices
• Create a quote template with inclusions and exclusions

Week 3-4: Go Live

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Photograph your first 5 jobs
• Collect 5 reviews
• Book 5 starter jobs

Week 5-8: Tighten the Process

• Track prep time and adjust pricing
• Add a change order policy
• Build a referral offer for neighbours
• Set up Toolfy for quotes and invoicing

Week 9-12: Scale the Round

• Target landlords and property managers
• Add a second trade partner or subcontractor
• Refine your service menu and remove low-margin jobs
• Build a seasonal plan for hardwood work

Final Word: Prep Wins

The best floor fitters do not just lay boards. They manage subfloor prep, moisture, and finish to protect margin and reputation. Price for prep, document changes, and keep your systems tight.

Need job management software built for floor fitters? Toolfy handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking for £29/month. Built for UK service teams that want to get paid faster with less admin. See how Toolfy works ->