The work costs from €16/m². In an apartment building you must first choose the system, because connecting water underfloor heating to the building's heating affects common property, while for electric heating the electrical installation rules matter.
Electric floor heating or water underfloor heating
The Law on Residential Properties counts heating elements in an apartment as common property if their operation depends on the building's common engineering systems. If the work affects common property, the consent of the apartment owners' association is needed. So water underfloor heating connected to the building's heating cannot be installed on your own decision alone.
Riga City Council has explained, regarding reconstruction of a building's heating system, that the design is prepared by certified specialists, the documentation is agreed with the building manager, and the work is done by certified specialists or construction companies. If you are considering water underfloor heating, start by asking the building manager.
Electric floor heating (a heating cable or heating mat) does not affect the building's heating. If the work does not affect other common property either, it can be installed without the approval of other owners, in compliance with the regulations. The connection is made according to the heating element manufacturer's requirements, and the thermostat is a separate line in the estimate.
Law on Residential Properties (Dzīvokļa īpašuma likums), Section 4(1) point 1, Section 11(1) and (3); Riga City Council explanation on LV portāls, 11.05.2020. Checked 11.11.2026.
Electric underfloor heating installation and electrical wiring
Since 01.07.2025, building code LBN 261-15 requires that when electrical wiring in an existing building is reconstructed, it is equipped with residual current protection (a residual current device). If the wiring is reconstructed because of underfloor heating, this requirement must also be taken into account.
The electrical installation is carried out under the direction of a certified construction specialist, and the tests (wire resistance, full loop resistance, earthing) are done by a certified electrical specialist. If the wiring of the whole apartment is changed at the same time, see electrical wiring replacement in an apartment.
Cabinet Regulation No. 294, LBN 261-15 (“Ēku iekšējā elektroinstalācija”, internal electrical installations), paragraph 55 and the amendments of 17.06.2025. Checked 11.11.2026.
Underfloor heating under tiles and under laminate
In a bathroom, above the heated floor there is usually waterproofing and tiles. The manufacturer of Ceresit CL 51 intends its waterproofing also for heated floors, so the waterproofing is laid over the heating layer. For more on this layer, see waterproofing in a bathroom.
Under laminate the manufacturer's requirements are stricter. In the Quick-Step instructions, the base surface with floor heating must not be warmer than 28.8 °C, and the moisture must be below 1.5% (CM method). Ceresit data for a cement base with heating require moisture up to 1.8%. Before you choose a floor covering, check whether its manufacturer permits floor heating.
Installing underfloor heating step by step
- Plan You decide in which rooms and in which part of the floor there will be heating, and where the thermostat will go.
- Base The base must be level and dry. If it is not, floor levelling or a screed is done first.
- Laying the heating elements The heating cable or heating mat is laid according to the manufacturer's layout.
- Connection and testing The connection and tests are done by a certified electrical specialist.
- Floor covering Tiles, waterproofing or laminate are laid in compliance with the covering manufacturer's conditions for heated floors.
Underfloor heating cost per m²
Underfloor heating installation: from €16/m². Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate. The heating cable or heating mat, the thermostat and the electrical connection are separate lines in the estimate. The price changes with the heated area, the number of rooms and whether the base must be levelled first.
| Example | Calculation | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom, heating 4 m² | 4 m² × €16 | from €64 |
| Kitchen and hallway, heating 12 m² | 12 m² × €16 | from €192 |
If the heating is part of a bathroom renovation, all the work in the bathroom starts from €3,000. All prices are on the renovation prices page.
What to write in the request
- Which rooms you want heated and how many m² of floor in them are free of furniture.
- What covering will go on top: tiles, laminate or vinyl flooring.
- Whether you will change the electrical wiring in the apartment at the same time.
- The building series or year and the condition of the floor; you can send photos or a plan to the specialist when they contact you.
What is included in the price
What this work includes
- Laying the heating elements of electric underfloor heating on a prepared base
- Work calculated per m² of heated area
What is calculated separately
- The heating cable or heating mat, the thermostat and other materials
- The electrical connection and changes to the electrical wiring
- Floor levelling or screed
- Waterproofing, tiling or another covering
- Connecting water underfloor heating to the building's heating (the association's consent is needed)
Sources
- Heating elements are common property if they depend on the building's systems; the association's consent checked 11 November 2026
- Reconstruction of the heating system: design, agreement with the building manager checked 11 November 2026
- From 01.07.2025 residual current protection when electrical wiring is reconstructed checked 11 November 2026
- Electrical installation under the direction of a construction specialist; tests checked 11 November 2026
- CL 51 also on heated floors checked 11 November 2026
- Quick-Step: surface up to 28.8 °C, moisture below 1.5% with heating checked 11 November 2026
- Ceresit: moisture of a cement base with heating up to 1.8% checked 11 November 2026