What the price depends on
Labour is priced per square metre. The rate depends on the thickness, the type of screed, whether there’s insulation board and underfloor heating underneath, and whether fibres or mesh are needed. Logistics count too: which floor the job is on and how close to the building the pump can park. On a small job, getting the kit there and set up weighs more. Rates are in the table and kept up to date.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Cement screed | 35–55 zł/m² |
Indicative prices. Ranges for a typical scope. Fixings included, materials separate. Minimum order 300 zł.
Sand, cement, fibres, membrane, insulation board and edge strip are paid for separately, as is their delivery. Rubbish removal and carrying materials in are separate too. Who buys what is agreed in the handyman’s offer.
Rather hand the job over? More here: handyman in Warsaw.
Types of cement screed
A bonded screed goes straight onto the concrete slab and bonds to it. It is used when there is little floor height to play with and no insulation is needed.
An unbonded screed sits on a membrane and isn’t stuck to the base. It’s the choice when the slab is uneven, dirty or already has a damp-proof layer.
A floating screed is laid over insulation board or mineral wool and never touches the walls, thanks to an edge strip round the perimeter. It is standard in houses and with underfloor heating, where the pipes end up inside the screed.
If you’re torn between cement and anhydrite, briefly: anhydrite levels itself and gives a smooth surface sooner, but it doesn’t like constant moisture. Cement copes fine with bathrooms, boiler rooms and garages. Anhydrite has its own article; this one is about cement.
How the job goes
- The finished floor level is set with a laser or level and marked on the walls in every room.
- Membrane and, if needed, insulation go down, with edge strip stuck round the perimeter.
- The pump mixes the screed outside and sends it in through the hose. Fibres are often added.
- The screed is spread with a straightedge along screed rails and then power-floated.
- Expansion joints are cut or formed: in doorways, across large areas and between heating zones.
- For the first days the screed is kept out of draughts, sun and heating so it doesn’t dry too fast.
Safety
Fresh cement mix is alkaline and can burn skin after prolonged contact. Work in gloves and wellies, and protect your eyes from splashes. If any gets in an eye, rinse straight away with plenty of clean water. Keep children and pets away from the site while the screed is being poured.
Common mistakes
- No edge strip, so the screed pushes against the walls and cracks.
- No expansion joints in doorways, and the crack appears right on the threshold.
- Drying fresh screed with heaters or the underfloor heating. The water leaves too fast and the surface turns dusty and cracks.
- Laying wood or laminate without measuring the moisture in the screed. A month later the boards cup.
- Pouring over underfloor heating that hasn’t been pressure-tested, and finding the leak once the screed has set.
- Walking on it and stacking pallets on it too soon.
What to prepare
- A closed building: windows and doors in, or at least the openings covered so there are no draughts.
- Finished and tested pipes and cables in the floor. Underfloor heating under pressure, with the gauge fitted.
- Access to water and power.
- Space for the pump and the sand lorry as close to the entrance as possible. In a block of flats, ask the building administration where they can park.
- A floor plan or room sizes and the finished floor height you want. Tiles and wood need different heights, so settle this before pouring.
Frequently asked questions
How long does cement screed take to dry?
A common rule of thumb is a week per centimetre of thickness, but that’s only a rough guide. Before laying wood, laminate or vinyl, the screed’s moisture is measured, and the reading decides whether you can go ahead.
When can I walk on it?
Carefully after a few days, but keep heavy items and pallets off until it has gained strength. The handyman will tell you when and what is allowed.
Cement or anhydrite over underfloor heating?
Both work. Cement is chosen where the room will be damp or extra strength is needed, anhydrite for a smoother, thinner layer. Best decided together with whoever is fitting the heating.
Can screed be laid in a flat?
Yes. In a block, ask the building administration where the machine and hose can go. Extra weight on the floor slab is a question for the building design, not guesswork.
How to order
Describe the job in the app: floor area, type of screed, whether there’s underfloor heating and insulation, which floor, and add photos of the rooms and the access to the building. Handymen will send offers with their own price and timing. Compare them by reviews and pick one; only that person sees your address.
You pay the handyman directly and they issue the invoice. They stand behind their own screed: if it doesn’t hold the agreed level or cracks because of their mistake, they’ll fix it. An uneven slab, leaking pipes and screed that was force-dried after they left are not on them.
Run a screed pump? Create a tradesperson profile and screed jobs from your town will come straight to the app. You work for yourself, under whatever business form you choose.
Order in the app
Describe the job, add photos and the address. Tradespeople send their own prices and dates, and you pick one of the offers.
Open the app
