What does underfloor heating cost and what should you look out for?

The cost of underfloor heating mainly depends on:

• The type of system (water-based, electric, or infrared)
• The number of square meters
• New construction or renovation (grooving vs. overlay)

1. Water-based underfloor heating

New construction / overlay system:

• € 40 – € 70 per m²

Grooving (renovation):

• € 40 – € 60 per m²

Examples:

• 20 m²: € 1,000 – € 1,400
• 50 m²: € 2,000 – € 2,800
• 100 m²: € 3,500 – € 5,500

Features:
Energy efficient, ideal as main heating, higher investment but low
running costs.

2. Electric
underfloor heating

€ 30 – € 60 per m²

Examples:

• 10 m² (bathroom): € 500 – € 1,000
• 20 m²: € 800 – € 1,200
• 40 m²: € 1,500 – € 2,500

Features:
Quick installation, maintenance-free, higher running costs for large spaces.
Ideal as additional heating in the bathroom, kitchen, or toilet.

3. Infrared floor heating (foil)

€ 50 – € 70 per m²

Examples:

• 10 m²: € 500 – € 700
• 20 m²: € 1,200 – € 1,600
• 40 m²: € 2,000 – € 2,800

Features:
Very thin system, fast heating, especially suitable for renovations without breaking work.

Additional cost factors

• Thermostat and control: € 100 – € 300 per zone
• Central control unit (water-based): € 500 – € 1,500
• Floor insulation: € 15 – € 40 per m² extra
• Finishing / levelling: € 10 – € 20 per m²

Practical Advice

• New build or complete renovation: water-based systems are the best choice.
• Small spaces / bathrooms: electric underfloor heating is usually more economical.
• Renovation without chiseling: infrared film or milling.

Many homeowners compare multiple quotes via jeofferte.nl to see the best price/quality ratio for each situation.

Conclusion

Price range per system (incl. installation, excl. floor covering):

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

These prices are a general indication for 2025. The exact costs depend on dimensions, insulation, and chosen options.

The total price consists of installation costs and running costs.
Both are influenced by the points below.

1. Type of system

Water-based

• More expensive to install, but energy-efficient.
• Most often chosen for new builds or major renovations.

Electric

• Cheaper to install, but higher operating costs for large areas.
• Most chosen for bathrooms and small spaces.

Infrared

• Thin film, ideal for renovations without breaking.
• Slightly more expensive per m² than electric.

2. Size of the surface

• Economies of scale: the larger the number of m², the lower the price per m².
• Small spaces (bathroom/toilet) have relatively high costs per m².

3. New construction or renovation

• New construction: underfloor heating can easily be incorporated during construction.
• Renovation: often extra work due to milling, leveling or dry construction, which can increase costs by 10%–30%.

4. Installation Method

• Grooving: cheapest method for existing screed floors.
• Build-up: requires a new screed; more expensive.
• Dry construction: ideal for wooden floors; thin system but higher cost per m².

5. Main heating or auxiliary heating

• Main heating: larger capacity, more groups and therefore higher costs.
• Auxiliary heating: more limited system, cheaper to install.

6. Floor finish

• Tiles, PVC and poured floors: best thermal conductivity and easy to combine.
• Wood or carpet: require extra measures, which can increase costs.

7. Insulation and preparatory work

• Extra insulation: € 15 – € 40 per m² extra, but essential in older homes.
• Leveling or smoothing the floor: € 10 – € 20 per m².

8. Control and Home Automation

• Basic thermostat: often included.
• Smart control: extra costs (€100 – €300 per zone, central unit €500 – €1,500) but more economical to use.

9. Heat source

• Central heating boiler, heat pump, district heating or electric:
  The choice of heat source determines the efficiency and connection costs.

10. Quality and craftsmanship

• An experienced installer works more efficiently and avoids mistakes.
• Via jeofferte.nl, you can easily compare which installer offers the best price/quality ratio.

Summary Table

Conclusion

The main price-determining factors are:

1. Type of system
2. Surface area
3. New construction/renovation and method (grooving/surface mounting)
4. Any additional options and insulation

By clearly determining these factors in advance and comparing multiple quotes (for example, via jeofferte.nl), you can often save thousands of euros.

There are three main types of underfloor heating. The choice depends on the application (primary or supplementary heating), the situation (new build or renovation) and the desired comfort.

1. Water-based underfloor heating

Operation

• Plastic pipes in or under the floor circulate hot water, heated by a central heating boiler, heat pump, or district heating.

Application

• New construction and major renovations
• Suitable as main heating.

Advantages

• Energy efficient at low water temperature.
• Even heat, low operating costs.
• Long lifespan.

Disadvantages

• Higher installation costs.
• Slower heating.

Costs (2025)

• New construction/extension: € 40 – € 70 per m²
• Grooving (renovation): € 40 – € 60 per m²

2. Electric floor heating

How it works

• Electric cables or mats under the floor heat up directly via electricity.

Application

• Bathrooms, toilets, and small spaces.
• Particularly suitable as additional heating.

Advantages

• Fast heating.
• Simple and inexpensive installation.
• No pipes or manifold needed.

Disadvantages

• Higher operating costs for large areas.
• Less suitable as the main heating in large rooms.

Costs (2025)

• € 30 – € 60 per m² (mainly for smaller areas).

3. Infrared floor heating (film)

Operation

• Ultra-thin films are placed directly under the floor covering and emit heat via infrared radiation.

Application

• Renovations without demolition work.
• Small to medium-sized areas, often as supplementary heating.

Advantages

• Very thin system (1–2 mm).
• Fast heat emission.
• No extensive installation work.

Disadvantages

• Electric system: higher operating costs for high consumption.
• Less suitable for wet rooms.

Costs (2025)

• €50 – €70 per m²

Summary Comparison

Practical advice

• New build or well-insulated home: choose water-based.
• Renovation without demolition: consider infrared film.
• Bathroom or toilet: electric underfloor heating is simple and fast.

Many homeowners compare the three systems via jeofferte.nl to determine what technically and financially suits them best.

Underfloor heating can be applied in two ways:

1. Underfloor heating as main heating

What does it mean?

• The underfloor heating is the only heat source in the room.
• No radiators or other systems are needed anymore.

When suitable?

• In well-insulated homes.
• With a complete installation with sufficient power and distribution.

Advantages

• Sleek finish: no radiators.
• Constant, even heat.
• Energy-efficient in combination with a low-temperature source (heat pump).

Disadvantages

• Slower heating, especially with water-based systems.
• In case of renovations, a heat loss calculation must be performed to check if underfloor heating alone is sufficient.

Application

• Water-based underfloor heating (most suitable).
• Can also be used with powerful electric systems in small, well-insulated spaces.

2. Underfloor heating as supplementary heating

What does it mean?

• The underfloor heating works alongside another heat source (radiator or towel radiator).
• Provides extra comfort, especially for your feet.

When suitable?

• Renovations where the existing heating is maintained.
• Bathrooms, kitchens, and toilets where extra warmth is desired.

Advantages

• Quick and relatively inexpensive to implement, especially electric.
• Comfortable: warm floor, even if the main heating is set low.

Disadvantages

• The space is mainly heated by another system.
• Higher consumption costs with electric use if it is on frequently.

Application

• Electric underfloor heating (most chosen).
• Also possible with water-based systems as an extension.

Price indication bathroom 10 m² (2025)

• Additional heating (electric):
  Installation: € 600 – € 1,000
  Consumption: ± € 250 – € 350 per year
• Main heating (water-based):
  Installation: € 800 – € 1,200
  Consumption: lower (via central heating or heat pump)

Practical advice

• New construction or well-insulated homes: choose underfloor heating as main heating.
• Renovations and small spaces: supplementary heating is practical and affordable.

Homeowners often compare both options via jeofferte.nl to determine what fits best financially and technically.

Conclusion

• Main heating: complete heat source, higher investment but energy-efficient.
• Additional heating: supplementary, quick to install, ideal for smaller spaces.

The number of square meters (m²) has a large influence on both the total price and the price per m².

1. Small areas (up to 20 m²)

• Examples: bathroom, toilet, small kitchen.
• Features:
• Relatively high costs per m² (little economies of scale).
• Electric underfloor heating is often the most interesting.
• Indicative prices (2025):
• Electric: € 30 – € 60 per m² (10 m²: € 500 – € 1,000)
• Water-based (milled): € 40 – € 60 per m² (20 m²: € 1,000 – € 1,200)

2. Medium surfaces (20 – 50 m²)

• Examples: living room or living room + kitchen in an apartment.
• Characteristics:
• Price per m² decreases, as the installation can be made more efficient.
• Water-based systems become attractive.
• Indicative prices (2025):
• Water-based (grooving): € 40 – € 60 per m² (40 m²: € 1,800 – € 2,400)
• Electric: € 35 – € 55 per m² (not recommended as primary heating)
• Infrared: € 50 – € 70 per m²

3. Large surfaces (50 – 100+ m²)

• Examples: entire ground floor or whole house.
• Features:
• Large economies of scale: lowest price per m².
• Almost always water-based, as main heating.
• Indicative prices (2025):
• New construction/extension: € 40 – € 70 per m²
  (80 m²: € 4,000 – € 5,500)
• Grooving (renovation): € 40 – € 60 per m²
  (100 m²: € 3,500 – € 5,500)

Why does the price per m² decrease with a larger area?

1. Fixed costs (distributor, thermostat, connections) are spread over more m².
2. More efficient working hours: in large spaces, work can be done faster and continuously.
3. Lower transport and start-up costs per m².

Practical advice

• Small spaces: electric is practical and fast.
• Medium to large surfaces: water-based systems are the best financial and energetic choice.
• With quotes via jeofferte.nl, you often see that larger surfaces get significantly lower prices per m².

Conclusion

The larger the surface area, the lower the price per m².
Small areas (bathrooms) have relatively high costs, while large projects benefit from economies of scale.

The costs depend mainly on:

• The type of system (water-based, electric, or infrared)
• The number of square meters
• New construction or renovation (grooving or surface mounting)

Below are three common scenarios.

1. Bathroom 10 m² – comfort solution

Electric floor heating (most chosen)

• Installation: € 600 – € 1,000
• Running costs: ± € 300 per year (2 hours per day)
• Ideal as supplementary heating

Water-based floor heating

• Installation: € 800 – € 1,200
• Running costs: much lower (via central heat source)
• Interesting if the rest of the house is also heated via underfloor heating

2. Living room + kitchen 40 m² – larger space

Underfloor heating system (grooved)

• Installation: € 1,800 – € 2,400
• Energy efficient at low temperature, suitable as main heating

Electric system

• Installation: € 1,500 – € 2,500
• Not recommended as main heating due to high operating costs

Infrared film

• Installation: € 2,000 – € 2,800
• Fast heating, suitable for renovations without chiselling

3. Ground floor 80 m² – full underfloor heating

Water-based system (new build/extension)

• Installation: € 4,000 – € 5,500
• Very efficient and future-proof, especially in combination with a heat pump

Grooving (renovation)

• Installation: € 3,500 – € 4,800
• No build-up height and less demolition work

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

Important to remember

• Price per m²:
• Water-based: € 40 – € 70/m² (milling: € 40 – € 60/m²)
• Electric: € 30 – € 60/m²
• Infrared: € 50 – € 70/m²
• Extra options such as smart thermostats, insulation and leveling increase the price by 10–30%.

Practical advice

• New construction: water-based systems are the most sustainable choice.
• Renovation: often milling or electric underfloor heating in specific areas.
• Via jeofferte.nl quotes are compared to see which system fits best financially and technically.

In addition to the basic installation (pipes or cables, manifold and thermostat), there are several options you can add. These are often listed as additional work in quotes.

1. Smart thermostats and zone control

• Function: control the temperature per room, via app or home automation.
• Benefit: saves energy and increases comfort.
• Costs:
• Smart thermostat: € 100 – € 300 per zone
• Central control unit (water-based): € 500 – € 1,500

2. Extra groups (water-based systems)

• Function: separate circuits for different rooms.
• Advantage: even heat and better control.
• Cost: approx. €100 – €200 per extra group.

3. Luxury distributor and pump

• Function: a more efficient distributor with pump and control.
• Advantage: quieter and more economical.
• Additional cost: € 300 – € 600.

4. Dry Construction Systems

• Function: lightweight panels instead of a wet screed.
• Advantage: thin system, suitable for wooden floors or quick renovations.
• Surcharge: + € 15 – € 30 per m².

5. Insulation Upgrades

• Function: extra insulation boards or crawl space insulation.
• Benefit: less heat loss and lower energy costs.
• Costs:
• Crawl space insulation: € 20 – € 40 per m²
• Insulation boards: € 15 – € 25 per m²

6. Finishing and leveling

• Leveling the floor after milling: € 10 – € 20 per m².
• Luxury floor finishing (tiles, PVC, poured floor) is priced separately.

7. Home automation integration

• Function: linking underfloor heating with a smart home system.
• Costs: € 500 – € 2,000 depending on the complexity.

8. Towel radiator (bathroom)

• Many homeowners combine underfloor heating with a towel radiator for extra comfort.
• Costs: € 300 – € 700.

Summary table (average surcharges)

Practical advice

Many homeowners who request quotes via jeofferte.nl opt for at least:

• A smart thermostat (comfort and savings).
• Extra insulation to reduce operating costs.
• Towel radiator as a supplement in the bathroom.