What Does Grooving Underfloor Heating Cost?

Milling is a commonly used technique to install underfloor heating in an existing house without demolishing the entire floor.
Slots are milled into the existing cement screed in which heating pipes are placed.
Then the slots are closed and the floor can be finished again.

Advantages of Milling

• No high structure: the floor height remains almost the same.
• Less invasive: no completely new screed required.
• Cost saving: cheaper than a completely new underfloor heating system with construction.
• Fast installation (often in 1 day).

Prices 2025 – Underfloor heating milling

Average costs (material + labor)

• 20 – 25 m²: € 1,000 – € 1,500
• 50 m²: € 2,000 – € 3,000
• 100 m²: € 3,500 – € 5,500

Average price range:
€ 40 – € 60 per m² for standard milling and installation of a water-based system.

Costs consist of:

1. Milling the slots
2. Laying pipes
3. Placing a manifold
4. Connecting to existing boiler or heat pump

Factors that influence the price

1. Surface area: the larger, the lower the price per m².
2. Number of groups: more groups for separate zones cost more.
3. Accessibility: obstacles and hard-to-reach spaces increase labor costs.
4. Type of heat source: central heating boiler, heat pump or district heating can influence connection costs.

Operating costs

Because milling usually involves a water-based system, the operating costs are lower than with electric underfloor heating.
In combination with low-temperature heating and good insulation, this system can work efficiently.

When to choose milling?

• Renovations where the floor must be preserved.
• Existing cement screeds or concrete floors.
• For main heating: milling can often replace the radiators.
• Many homeowners who request quotes via jeofferte.nl, choose milling because it is a relatively affordable way to make a home more sustainable.

Conclusion

Milling underfloor heating costs an average of €40 – €60 per m² in 2025.
It is a smart and cost-efficient method to install water-based underfloor heating in an existing home without major renovations.

1. Water-based underfloor heating

(Most commonly used in new construction or renovation by milling or construction)

Price per m²:

• New construction/superstructure: € 40 – € 70 per m²
• Milling: € 40 – € 60 per m²

Feature: higher installation costs but energy-efficient in use.

2. Electric underfloor heating

(Mainly used as auxiliary heating or in small spaces)

Price per m²:
€ 30 – € 60 per m²

Characteristic: quick and easy to install, but higher electricity costs with prolonged use.

3. Infrared Floor Heating (Foil)

(Popular for renovations due to thin construction and quick installation)

Price per m²:
€ 50 – € 70 per m²

Characteristic: very thin system, fast response, ideal as auxiliary heating.

What determines the price?

• Size of the surface (more m² = lower price per m²)
• New construction or renovation (milling vs. surface mounting)
• Type of heat source (central heating, heat pump, district heating or electricity)
• Finishing of the floor
• Control (standard thermostat or home automation)

Advice

Many homeowners who request quotes via jeofferte.nl compare these systems before making a choice.
For large surfaces and main heating, water-based almost always wins in the long term.
For smaller spaces or comfort zones, electric or infrared systems are a quick solution.

Conclusion

Cost indication per type of system (incl. installation):

• Water-based: € 40 – € 70/m² (milling cheaper)
• Electric: € 30 – € 60/m²
• Infrared: € 50 – € 70/m²

1. Small space – bathroom 10 m²

Electric underfloor heating (supplementary heating)

• Installation: € 600 – € 1,000
• Consumption: approx. €300 – €350 per year (with daily use)
• Application: quick, comfortable heat in a small area.

Water-based (milled in)

• Installation: € 1,000 – € 1,400
• Consumption: much lower when connected to central heating or a heat pump.
• Application: if the bathroom is part of a larger circuit.

2. Medium space – living room/kitchen 40 m²

Water-based system

• New construction/extension: € 2,000 – € 2,800
• Grooving (existing floor): € 1,800 – € 2,400
• Consumption: economical, especially at low temperatures (heat pump).

Electric

• € 1,500 – € 2,500
• Not recommended as main heating due to high electricity costs.

Infrared (foil)

• € 2,000 – € 2,800
• Ideal for renovation as a thin solution without breaking.

3. Large ground floor – 80 m²

Water-based (new build/extension)

• € 4,000 – € 5,500
• Sustainable: ideal in combination with a heat pump.

Grooved in (renovation)

• € 3,500 – € 4,800
• No extra build-up height, quick installation.

Electric or infrared for such surfaces is rarely used due to high operating costs.

What do we see in practice?

• Water-based systems are more expensive to install but much more economical to use.
• Electric systems are advantageous in small spaces.
• Infrared is interesting for renovations without demolition work.

Homeowners often compare these scenarios via jeofferte.nl to determine what is financially and technically most favorable.

Important to remember

• The prices mentioned are including VAT and installation.
• Prices may vary depending on insulation, floor finish, and chosen system (simple or home automation).
• The surface area and the choice between main or auxiliary heating are decisive.

The total costs of underfloor heating consist of installation costs and running costs.
These are determined by several factors:

1. Type of system

• Water-based
• More expensive to install, cheaper to run (economical, durable).
• Electric
• Lower installation costs, higher running costs for large areas.
• Infrared
• Slightly more expensive per m², quick installation, ideal for renovations.

2. Size of the surface

• More m² = lower price per m² due to economies of scale.
• Small spaces (bathroom) have relatively high costs per m².

3. New construction or renovation

• New construction
• System can be easily integrated into construction.
• Renovation
• Often extra work: milling, leveling, repairing the floor.

4. Choice of main or auxiliary heating

• Main heating:
  More power, more groups, higher investment.
• Auxiliary heating:
  Smaller installation, lower power.

5. Type of floor covering

• Tiles, natural stone, PVC, poured floor: optimal heat conductivity.
• Wood, carpet: lower conductivity → sometimes additional measures required.

6. Insulation of the home

• Poor insulation causes heat loss and higher costs.
• Often, floor insulation is applied first (extra costs but lower energy costs).

7. Control and home automation

• Basic thermostat: included in the standard price.
• Smart zone control/home automation: additional investment (€ 100 – € 300 per room), but more efficient to use.

8. Complexity of the installation

• Number of groups, shape of the room, obstacles and accessibility influence the labor costs.

9. Heat source

• Boiler, heat pump, district heating or electric: the source partly determines the efficiency and connection costs.

Practical Advice

With quotes via jeofferte.nl, these factors are always specified separately.
This makes it easy to compare which choices impact the price and the savings.

Conclusion

The costs are mainly determined by the type of system, the house (insulation and new construction/renovation), the usage (main or auxiliary heating) and extra options.
A good preliminary calculation prevents surprises and helps find the right balance between investment and comfort.

Underfloor heating often involves additional choices that make the system more complete or efficient.
Below are the main options and their average price indications.

1. Floor insulation

• Why: prevents heat loss downwards, essential for efficiency.
• Costs:
• Crawl space insulation: € 20 – € 40 per m²
• Additional insulation boards on top of the floor: € 15 – € 25 per m²
• Especially in existing homes, an important item.

2. Milling versus build-up systems

• Milling: cheaper with existing floors (no floor raising).
• Surcharge: none, this is the cheapest method.
• Build-up systems: requires new screed.
• Surcharge: average € 10 – € 20 per m² on top of standard price.

3. Smart thermostats and home automation

• Why: Control temperature per room and save energy.
• Costs:
• Smart thermostat: € 100 – € 300 per zone
• Central control unit (for water-based systems): € 500 – € 1,500
• Often chosen for new builds or renovations.
• Via jeofferte.nl this option is increasingly requested.

4. Manifold and pump (for water-based systems)

• Standard manifold: included in most prices.
• Luxury manifold with pump and control: additional charge € 300 – € 600.

5. Extra
groups

• A group is a separate circuit for a part of the floor.
• Cost per extra group: €100 – €200.
• Needed for larger spaces (>10–15 m² per group).

6. Finishing the floor

• Leveling or repairing the floor after milling: € 10 – € 20 per m².
• Finishing (tiles, PVC, poured floor) not included in basic prices.

7. Coupling with sustainable systems

• Heat pump or solar water heater: underfloor heating is often combined with low-temperature sources.
• This sometimes requires extra materials and coordination.
• Costs depend on the heat source.

8. Fast Dry Construction Systems

• No concrete or cement needed; thin panels are used.
• Additional cost: €15 – €30 per m².
• Ideal for wooden floors and renovations.

What is optional and what is standard?

• Included as standard: pipes/mats, manifold (basic), installation.
• Optional: insulation, home automation, extra groups, finishing and connections with heat pump.

Conclusion

Additional options can increase the total costs by 10% to 40%, depending on:

• Project size
• Building type (new construction or renovation)
• Desired comfort level

For quotes via jeofferte.nl, these choices are usually specified separately, so it is clear which options incur additional costs.

1. Water-based underfloor heating

(Most commonly used in new builds and larger renovations)

• New build / overlay:
  € 40 – € 70 per m²
• Renovation / grooving:
  € 40 – € 60 per m²

Application: ideal as primary heating, energy-efficient to use.

2. Electric underfloor heating

(Often used in bathrooms or as supplementary heating)

• Average: € 30 – € 60 per m²

Application: small spaces, quick installation, higher running costs for large areas.

3. Infrared floor heating (foil)

(Especially for renovations without demolition work)

• Average: € 50 – € 70 per m²

Application: thin system, fast heat emission, usually supplementary heating.

What determines the price per m²?

• Surface area: the larger, the lower the price per m².
• New construction or renovation: milling in is cheaper than a surface-mounted system.
• Type of floor finish and insulation.
• Extra options such as home automation, extra circuits, and luxury manifolds.

Indicative costs per surface area (water-based, milling)

• 20 m²: ± € 1,000 – € 1,200
• 50 m²: ± € 2,000 – € 2,800
• 100 m²: ± € 3,500 – € 5,500

Practical advice

With quotes via jeofferte.nl, these costs are clearly itemized.
This way, you can easily see the price per m² and where any additional costs come from.

Conclusion

• Water-based: 40 – 70 €/m² (milling: 40 – 60 €/m²)
• Electric: 30 – 60 €/m²
• Infrared: 50 – 70 €/m²

These amounts include installation, excluding floor finishing.

In 2025, not only comfort plays a role in choosing underfloor heating, but also energy prices, sustainability, and ease of installation.
The following points are most decisive for making a good choice.

1. Energy efficiency and sustainability

• Low-temperature heating is essential to limit energy costs.
• Combination with a heat pump or solar panels is increasingly becoming the norm.
• Water-based systems perform best here.

2. New construction or renovation

• New construction: simple integration into the floor structure.
• Renovation: often chosen for milling (no floor raising) or thin dry construction systems.
• Infrared film can be interesting when you don't want to chop or break.

3. Insulation

• A well-insulated floor and home are crucial.
• With poor insulation, a lot of heat is lost and underfloor heating becomes less efficient.

4. Main or auxiliary heating

• Main heating: most cost-effective with water-based systems.
• Auxiliary heating: electric or infrared is suitable for small spaces such as bathrooms or conservatories.

5. Electricity and gas prices

• In 2025, electricity will be relatively expensive for continuous use.
• Electrical systems are therefore particularly suitable for small areas.

6. Floor finish

• Tiles, natural stone, PVC, and poured floors conduct heat best.
• Wood and carpet limit efficiency.

7. Smart control and home automation

• Smart thermostats and zone control can save energy and increase comfort.
• Nowadays, this can be linked to most systems as standard.

8. Costs and subsidies

• Average installation costs:
• Water-based: € 40 – € 70/m²
• Electric: € 30 – € 60/m²
• Infrared: € 50 – € 70/m²
• Subsidies: ISDE subsidies are only available in combination with heat pumps and sustainable sources.

9. Long-term choice

• Think ahead: a water-based low-temperature system is the most future-proof solution.
• Electric and infrared are particularly suitable for comfort zones and renovations.

Practical Advice

In 2025, many homeowners compare multiple quotes via jeofferte.nl to consider:

• Long-term energy prices.
• The choice between primary and secondary heating.
• The best insulation measures beforehand.

Conclusion

The most important considerations in 2025 are energy efficiency, insulation, and the right match between system and home type.
Water-based underfloor heating is the most future-oriented; electric and infrared are interesting for specific applications.