Honest, transparent pricing for engineered oak, herringbone, solid hardwood, and floor restoration across London and the South East. These are real costs based on what we actually charge — not ranges so wide they are useless. Every quote from LIGNORA is itemised: material, subfloor preparation, installation, and finish are broken out separately.
Note on pricing: These figures reflect our actual cost ranges as of 2026. All prices are supply and install unless stated. Material-only prices are approximately 40–55% of the combined cost. Prices vary based on subfloor condition, room complexity, product grade, and access. A home visit and itemised quote is always free.
The most common specification across London homes — engineered oak in a straight-lay configuration, glue-down on concrete or floating on timber. Price depends primarily on board width, grade, and finish type. Pre-finished boards at the lower end; on-site finishing at the higher end.
Herringbone costs more than straight lay for two reasons: increased installation time from setting the datum line and laying to the pattern, and higher material waste from cutting boards to fit the chevron ends. Budget an additional 20–30% over the equivalent straight-lay cost. Glue-down on concrete is the standard fixing method for herringbone.
Chevron sits slightly above herringbone in price because the boards are cut at a specific angle at the mill — any point inaccuracy requires the entire board to be replaced rather than trimmed. Installation is slower and more precise than herringbone. Specified primarily for formal reception rooms and large open-plan spaces where the pattern has room to develop.
Solid oak is secret-nailed to a timber subfloor — it cannot be laid on concrete. Where the subfloor is suitable, solid oak is the most enduring installation we carry out and can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime. The material cost is similar to engineered oak; the subfloor assessment and preparation costs may differ.
Dustless three-pass sand to bare wood. Includes edge sanding and corner work by hand. Does not include finish.
Three-pass sand plus hardwax oil or lacquer finish in two coats. Gap filling with sanding dust filler included.
Includes block re-adhesion where required, three-pass sand following the pattern direction, and hardwax oil finish.
The ranges above reflect genuine variation in project costs. Four factors account for most of the difference between a project at the lower end of a range and one at the higher end.
Grade and width matter most for material cost. Prime-grade boards with minimal knot and character variation cost significantly more than rustic or character-grade boards of the same species. Wider boards — above 180mm — cost more per m² than narrower boards and require more careful acclimatisation.
Subfloor condition matters most for installation cost. A flat, dry, clean concrete subfloor requires minimal preparation. A subfloor that needs levelling, moisture treatment, or structural repair adds to the project cost — and we include this in the quote after assessing the subfloor in person, not as a day-rate surprise after the floor is down.
Prime grade (minimal character markings) costs 25–40% more than rustic or character grade of the same species and width. The grade does not affect durability — only appearance.
Wide plank above 180mm carries a material premium and requires longer acclimatisation. Below 150mm is typically less expensive per m². Herringbone boards are narrower than wide plank — the pattern cost comes from installation, not material.
Straight lay is least expensive. Herringbone adds 20–30% for installation time and waste. Chevron is slightly more again. Bespoke patterns (borders, medallions, mixed) are priced individually.
Pre-finished factory boards are less expensive to install than boards finished on-site. On-site finishing (hardwax oil or lacquer in 2 coats) adds £8–£15 per m² but gives better colour control and can match adjacent surfaces exactly.
Levelling compounds, moisture barriers, structural repairs, and DPM add to the overall project cost. These are assessed and quoted before installation begins — not added as a surprise.
Rooms with many doorways, curved walls, alcoves, or radiator pipes take longer to install. Island kitchens and fitted furniture require more cutting. Access difficulties (stairs, tight doorways) add to programme time.
| Floor Type | Supply & Install | Material Only | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered Oak — Straight Lay | £60–£95/m² | £28–£52/m² | Open-plan, kitchens, whole house | Most versatile option. Works on all subfloors. |
| Engineered Oak — Herringbone | £75–£125/m² | £28–£52/m² | Hallways, reception rooms | Higher installation cost — same material as straight lay. |
| Engineered Oak — Chevron | £80–£130/m² | £32–£58/m² | Formal rooms, large open-plan | Precision boards required. Rooms 20m²+ work best. |
| Solid Oak — Straight Lay | £70–£110/m² | £32–£60/m² | Properties with timber subfloors | Not suitable for concrete or UFH. Most durable long-term. |
| Bespoke / Made to Order | POA | POA | Specific width, finish or pattern | 8 week production lead time. Quoted individually. |
| Floor Sanding Only | £15–£25/m² | — | Existing floors — Victorian, Edwardian | Three-pass dustless sand. Excludes finish. |
| Sand, Fill & Finish | £25–£45/m² | — | Original boards in good condition | Typically 40–60% of replacement cost for same area. |
| Parquet Restoration | £35–£60/m² | — | Original 1920s–1960s block parquet | Includes block re-adhesion where required. |
| Oak Staircase Treads | £120–£250/tread | £55–£120/tread | Matching floor to staircase | Includes nosing profile and on-site finish. |
If you have existing original boards, this is the most important cost comparison.
For a 50m² ground floor: approximately £1,250–£2,250. Victorian pine and Edwardian oak boards are denser, better-quality timber than almost anything available new — restoring them preserves the character of the property and costs a fraction of replacement. We assess the condition during the home visit.
Suitable when boards are structurally sound, have sufficient thickness remaining, and are not beyond the point of meaningful restoration. We give an honest assessment at the visit — if restoration is not the better outcome, we say so.
For the same 50m²: approximately £3,000–£4,750. New installation is the right answer when original boards are too thin to sand, structurally compromised, or simply not worth the restoration cost. It is also the only option for concrete subfloors where there are no original boards beneath.
New floors offer complete control over specification — grade, width, tone, finish, and pattern. Lead times: 2–3 weeks for pre-finished stock, 8 weeks for bespoke.
Every quote from LIGNORA is free, itemised, and based on a home visit. No hidden costs, no day-rate surprises. We respond within one working day.