Laminate is among the most common floor finishes in Warsaw flats. It’s light, handy, and fast to install. But that “fast” only happens when the base is prepared properly: a flat screed, suitable underlay, and proper expansion gaps along the walls. Miss even one of these and after a few months the floor will start creaking, lifting, or opening at the joints. We install panels all over Warsaw — from Ursynów to Białołęka.
How much does panel installation cost
Up-to-date prices are in the table below. The final cost depends on the size, how awkward the room is (alcoves, corners, thresholds), and the kind of panels. If the screed has to be levelled or the old flooring removed first, that is charged separately. Fixings and consumables are included; materials (panels, underlay) are provided by the client.
| Service | min | max |
|---|---|---|
| Floor panel removal | 15 zł/m² | 25 zł/m² |
| Floor panel installation | 70 zł/m² | 90 zł/m² |
| Floor panel replacement | 70 zł/m² | 100 zł/m² |
| Vinyl panel installation | 80 zł/m² | 120 zł/m² |
| Baseboard installation | 30 zł/mb | 45 zł/mb |
| Baseboard removal | 15 zł/mb | 25 zł/mb |
| Old flooring removal | 12 zł/m² | 20 zł/m² |
| Carpet installation | 35 zł/m² | 60 zł/m² |
| PVC flooring installation | 45 zł/m² | 75 zł/m² |
| Glue-down flooring installation | 45 zł/m² | 75 zł/m² |
| Parquet sanding | 70 zł/m² | 110 zł/m² |
| Parquet varnishing | 45 zł/m² | 75 zł/m² |
| Parquet oiling | 55 zł/m² | 90 zł/m² |
| Parquet gap filling | 25 zł/m² | 45 zł/m² |
| Floor threshold installation | 180 zł | 300 zł |
| Door trimming after floor installation | 120 zł | 250 zł |
How the installation works
- The technician checks the screed with a spirit level — tolerance is 2 mm over 2 metres. If the difference is bigger, levelling is required.
- A vapour barrier film (on concrete) and underlay are laid out.
- Panels are fitted from the far wall toward the door, with an 8–10 mm gap left at each wall for thermal expansion.
- The locks are clicked together — every row is checked to make sure the joints are tight.
- Cut pieces are fitted around walls, pipes, and door frames.
- Skirting boards and threshold strips are fitted.
Common mistakes during panel installation
- No expansion gap at the walls — in summer the laminate swells and lifts in the middle of the room.
- Laying on an uneven screed — the panels bend, and the locks fail after a few months.
- Skipping the underlay or using one that is too thick — the first makes the floor loud, the second makes it bouncy.
- Not acclimatising the panels — laminate should stay in the room for 24–48 hours before installation.
- Laying on a damp screed — buckling and mould under the floor within six months.
- Hammering without a tapping block — this damages the locking system, and the joints open up.
Checklist before the technician arrives
- The screed must be dry (PE film test — leave overnight; if it’s dry in the morning, you are ready to start).
- Panels and underlay bought and kept in the flat for at least 24 hours.
- Room emptied of furniture.
- Skirting boards and thresholds ready (if required).
- Choose the laying direction — most often along the light coming from the window.
- Sort out access and parking.
A real case from Warsaw
New-build in Wilanów, 40 m² living room plus hallway. The developer handed over the flat with a screed, but the dips reached 5 mm — first a self-levelling compound had to be applied. On the next day the technician installed 8 mm laminate on a cork underlay. The whole job took two visits: one day for levelling, one day for laying the floor. The owners cut costs by booking both stages with the same technician and not paying a second call-out fee (compatible with Quick-Step, Egger, Kronopol and similar).
Frequently asked questions
Which laminate is better — 7 mm or 10 mm?
For a flat, 8 mm is the best middle ground. 7 mm is the budget choice — the thinner it is, the noisier it gets. 10–12 mm is quieter and more durable, but it costs more.
How long does installation take?
A standard room of 15–20 m² — 3 to 4 hours. A 50 m² flat — one working day.
Do I need to remove the old floor first?
Yes, laminate cannot be installed on top of laminate. The old covering has to be removed.
Can laminate go over underfloor heating?
Yes, but you need laminate approved for underfloor heating and a thin underlay (2–3 mm).
Who supplies the material?
The client buys the panels, underlay, and film. The technician can also help work out the quantities.
Why hire a professional for the job
An experienced fitter notices things a beginner will overlook: a crooked screed, the wrong underlay, faulty panels straight out of the pack. We work across all of Warsaw — get in touch, and we’ll quote the job and arrange a time that works for you.