Office Flooring London: Options and Cost per m²

Flooring has a bigger effect on how an office looks, sounds and wears than most people expect. The wrong choice can make an open-plan floor noisy, a kitchen hard to keep clean or a reception look tired within a year. We design and install office flooring as part of refurbishments and fit-outs across London, usually combining several finishes on one floor so each area gets the floor it needs.

These ranges cover the floor finish. Uplift of old flooring, levelling and subfloor repairs, and out-of-hours work are priced separately.

Carpet tiles

Carpet tiles remain the first choice for desk areas. They are quiet, comfortable, easy to lift for access to floor boxes and quick to replace. See our dedicated guide to office carpet tiles in London.

LVT and vinyl

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) gives the look of timber, stone or concrete with a durable, water-resistant surface. It is ideal for kitchens, breakout zones, receptions and circulation routes. Sheet vinyl is a practical, seamless option for tea points and WCs. Both need a smooth, flat subfloor, so preparation is important; on raised access floors, specific products or overlay boards may be needed.

Raised access floors

Most London Cat A offices have raised access floors, a system of panels on pedestals that creates a void for power and data. Finishes are laid on top. If you are taking an older space without one, installing a raised floor is a significant item; it is usually part of a Cat A fit-out. See Cat A fit-outs in London and Cat A vs Cat B.

Timber, resin and concrete

Engineered timber adds warmth to receptions and client areas. Resin and polished concrete give a contemporary, industrial look but are hard and reflect sound, so they need acoustic treatment elsewhere, such as ceiling rafts or wall panels. Our modern office design ideas guide shows how finishes are combined.

How to choose office flooring by area

What affects the cost of office flooring?

• Product and range: entry-level contract products vs designer ranges
• Subfloor condition: levelling, repairs, moisture testing and membranes
• Area and layout: small rooms and complex patterns cost more per m²
• Access: lifts, loading bays and building rules about working hours
• Occupation: working in zones around staff adds time
• Uplift: removing and disposing of old flooring and adhesive

Flooring is usually part of a wider refurbishment. Our office fit-out cost per sq ft and m² guide shows where finishes sit in the budget, and the office fit-out cost calculator gives an overall estimate.

Acoustics and flooring

Hard floors reflect sound and transmit footfall noise. In open-plan offices, a mix of carpet in desk areas and LVT in circulation and kitchens is a common balance. Where hard floors are used extensively, we add acoustic underlays, ceiling treatments or wall panels. Partitions also matter; see acoustic office partitions.

Sustainability

Many flooring ranges include recycled content and take-back schemes for old tiles. Choosing durable products, keeping spare tiles and replacing worn areas individually all reduce waste over the life of the office.

Flooring and dilapidations

Leases often require floor finishes to be replaced or returned in good condition at the end of the term. Hard floors installed by a tenant may need to be removed and the floor reinstated to carpet tiles. Check your lease before choosing permanent finishes; see office dilapidations.

If you are still weighing up your options, start with our guide to office partitions.

Planning a flooring project

1. Survey the space and check the subfloor
2. Agree finishes for each area, with samples
3. Programme the work around the business
4. Uplift old floors and prepare the subfloor
5. Install, then clean and protect
6. Hand over with spare tiles and maintenance guidance

Flooring in Cat A vs Cat B fit-outs

In a Cat A space, the landlord usually provides a raised access floor and sometimes a basic carpet tile. In a Cat B fit-out, the tenant chooses finishes to suit each area of the new layout, which is when LVT in kitchens, feature flooring in receptions and acoustic carpet in meeting rooms are typically added. If you are moving into a new office, deciding on flooring early helps coordinate floor boxes, furniture layouts and lighting.

Common office flooring mistakes

• Choosing light, plain carpet for high-traffic routes, which shows soiling quickly
• Laying LVT on an uneven raised floor without suitable overlay boards, which telegraphs joints
• Skipping entrance matting, which shortens the life of the whole floor
• Using hard floors throughout an open-plan area without acoustic treatment elsewhere
• Forgetting lease obligations, then paying to remove finishes at the end of the term

How long do office floors last?

Lifespan depends heavily on footfall, chair castors, cleaning and the quality of preparation underneath.

Subfloor preparation: the hidden cost

The finish is only as good as what is underneath. Old adhesive, uneven raised floor panels, cracked screeds and moisture all need dealing with before new flooring goes down. LVT and vinyl in particular show every bump beneath them. A survey before pricing identifies preparation needs so they are included in the quote rather than discovered on site.

Replacing flooring without closing the office

Most flooring projects in occupied London offices are done in zones over evenings and weekends. Furniture is moved section by section, old flooring is lifted, the subfloor is prepared and new flooring is laid, then desks are returned and floor boxes tested before staff arrive. LVT adhesives and smoothing compounds need curing time, which is built into the zone plan so floors are ready for use the next morning.

Timing flooring within a refurbishment

Flooring usually goes in near the end of a fit-out, after partitions, ceilings, power and data are complete, so new floors are not damaged by other trades. Raised access floors are the exception, because they are installed early to carry the cabling. Protect finished floors with temporary coverings until furniture is in and the snagging is complete.

Get a flooring quote

We survey your office, recommend the right finish for each area and provide a fixed written quote. Request a quote through our online form.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Office Fit-Out Cost per Sq Ft and per m² in London (2026)
• Cat A vs Cat B Fit Out: What’s the Difference? (2026)
• Demountable Office Partitions: Cost and Reuse
• Office Refurbishment Cost: London and UK Prices (2026)
• Office Strip-Out London: Cat A Return and Cost
• Office Fit-Out Cost Calculator London (2026)
• Office refurbishment and fit-out in London
• Areas of London we cover