Vinyl flooring is a thin, flexible covering, so unevenness in the base can show through it, and the result is largely determined by the preparation. In your request, write the rooms, the area in m² and the current floor covering.
Vinyl laminate and glue-down vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is sold in two main types: click-together planks, often called vinyl laminate, and glue-down planks or tiles that are stuck to the base. How a particular product is laid, on what base and with what adhesive or underlay, is set by the manufacturer's instructions. If you have already chosen a product, write its name in your request.
In both cases the base must be dry. In the technical data sheet for Ceresit CN 76 self-levelling compound, the manufacturer states that under flexible floor coverings the moisture of a cement base can be up to 2.0% without heating and up to 1.8% with underfloor heating, and for a gypsum base 0.5% and 0.3%.
Source: Ceresit CN 76 technical data sheet. Checked 11.11.2026.
Preparing the base
If the floor is uneven, it is levelled with a self-levelling compound. For Ceresit CN 76, the manufacturer states that it can be walked on after 3 hours, while a layer of up to 1.5 cm dries at 4 mm per day and a thicker one at 3 mm per day (+23 °C, 50% humidity). So when the covering can be laid after levelling depends on the layer thickness and a moisture measurement.
If in an old apartment you find old vinyl floor tiles under the existing covering, bear in mind that such tiles and their adhesive can contain asbestos. It cannot be reliably identified by appearance; it is determined in a laboratory. Before removal, write about it in your request. Removing a covering that contains asbestos is not part of the renovation estimate: asbestos demolition may only be carried out with the permission of the State Labour Inspectorate (Valsts darba inspekcija). More: asbestos in an apartment.
Sources: Ceresit CN 76 technical data sheet; RSU seminar materials on asbestos (vinyl floor tiles, laboratory identification). Checked 11.11.2026.
The work in the usual sequence
- Removing the old covering The old covering and any adhesive residue are removed, if this is in the estimate.
- Levelling An uneven floor is levelled and left to dry to the moisture the manufacturer specifies.
- Priming and adhesive For glue-down vinyl flooring, the base is primed and the adhesive applied following the adhesive manufacturer's instructions.
- Laying Planks or tiles are laid and cut to fit at walls, pipes and door openings.
- Skirting boards and thresholds The edges are covered with skirting boards and thresholds are fitted in the openings.
What to decide before laying
- Whether the covering will also go in a bathroom or kitchen: then check that the product is intended for wet rooms.
- Whether there will be underfloor heating under it.
- Whether the covering will run through several rooms without thresholds.
- Whether you will choose the materials yourself.
If you are still choosing a covering, compare laminate installation and linoleum installation.
How much vinyl flooring installation costs
Vinyl flooring installation: from €10/m². Floor levelling, poured compound or screed: from €6.50/m². Demolition of walls, floors and finishes: from €6/m². Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate.
Example: kitchen and hallway together 15 m². Laying 15 × €10 = from €150, levelling 15 × €6.50 = from €97.50, total from €247.50 for labour.
The price changes with the area and number of rooms, the condition of the floor, the thickness of the levelling layer and the finish chosen. All prices are on the page renovation prices. An exact estimate can be made after seeing the apartment.
What is in the price and what is not
What this work includes
- laying vinyl planks or tiles on a prepared base
- cutting to fit at walls, pipes and openings
What is calculated separately
- vinyl flooring, adhesive, primer and skirting boards as materials
- floor levelling
- demolition of the old covering
Sources
- Moisture under flexible coverings: cement base up to 2.0%, with heating 1.8%; gypsum 0.5% and 0.3%; walk on after 3 h; drying 4 mm and 3 mm per day checked 11 November 2026
- Vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive can contain asbestos checked 11 November 2026
- Asbestos cannot be reliably identified by appearance; it is determined in a laboratory checked 11 November 2026
