There are two main ways to fit it. In new floors, such as an extension or a ground floor being dug out, pipes are set into a screed: a layer of sand and cement, or a flowing liquid mix, laid over insulation. In existing rooms, a low-profile or overlay system uses thin grooved boards laid on top of the current floor, raising it by a modest amount instead of breaking it up.
For homes in Dorset with solid ground floors, a low-profile overlay system can avoid breaking up the existing floor. We coordinate with builders working in Dorset so underfloor pipes are laid and tested before the screed goes down. Homeowners in Dorset and across Dorset can mix underfloor heating downstairs with radiators upstairs on one heat pump.
Who it suits
- Homeowners who want even, gentle warmth with no radiators on show
- Rooms where wall space for radiators is scarce
- Ground floors being dug out or relaid as part of wider building work
- Extensions, especially open-plan kitchen-diners with large glazed areas
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your quote.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Since 29 May 2025, permitted development in England allows up to two air source heat pumps on a house, each up to 1.5 m³, with no blanket 1 m boundary rule — the installation must still meet the MCS planning standards, including the noise check. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation-area positions need extra consent, which we check at survey.
Underfloor heating with heat pumps prices in Dorset
These are guide prices for Dorset, installed and including VAT. Your final price is fixed in a written quote after the survey and depends on the heat loss of the house, the radiators that need changing and where the unit goes.
| Work | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Wet underfloor heating, one room | £1,500–£3,550 |
| Wet underfloor heating, whole ground floor | £5,050–£15,150 |
Installed, inc VAT. Floor finishes and screed drying time are confirmed at survey.
Towns we cover in Dorset
We cover 12 towns in Dorset for underfloor heating with a heat pump. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth | BH2 | Christchurch | 7 h 57 min |
| Poole | BH15 | Bournemouth | 7 h 57 min |
| Weymouth | DT4 | Dorchester | 7 h 58 min |
| Christchurch | BH6 | Bournemouth | 7 h 57 min |
| Ferndown | BH22 | Wimborne Minster | 7 h 56 min |
| Dorchester | DT1 | Weymouth | 7 h 57 min |
| Wimborne Minster | BH18 | Ferndown | 7 h 57 min |
| Blandford Forum | DT11 | Wimborne Minster | 7 h 56 min |
| Bridport | DT6 | Dorchester | 7 h 57 min |
| Sherborne | DT9 | Yeovil | 7 h 55 min |
| Swanage | BH19 | Poole | 7 h 58 min |
| Wareham | BH20 | Poole | 7 h 58 min |
Underfloor heating with a heat pump questions
Is underfloor heating better than radiators with a heat pump?
Underfloor heating usually allows a lower flow temperature than radiators, which helps a heat pump run efficiently. That does not make radiators a poor choice: correctly sized radiators also work well, and they are far less disruptive to fit in existing rooms. Many homes use underfloor heating in an extension or on the ground floor and radiators elsewhere.
How much will an overlay system raise my floor?
A low-profile overlay system typically adds around 15–25 mm for the boards, plus the thickness of the new floor finish. That can be enough to need door trimming, threshold strips and adjustments where the floor meets kitchen units or stairs. We measure these details at the survey so the build-up is agreed before work starts.
How long does a screed floor take before I can use the heating?
Screed needs to dry before the heating is used at full temperature and before most floor finishes are laid. Drying time depends on the screed type, depth and conditions, from around a week for some liquid screeds to several weeks or more for traditional sand and cement. The heating is then brought up gradually over several days to avoid cracking.
How much does underfloor heating cost with a heat pump?
Wet underfloor heating for a whole ground floor has a guide price of £5,000–£15,000, installed and including VAT, and a single room has a guide price of £1,500–£3,500. The spread reflects floor type, area, whether an overlay or screed system is used and how much floor preparation is needed. Your written quote fixes the price after the survey.