Screeding area approx 21 square meters

[ab12]

I need to dry screed the an area of 21 square metres of what is to become kitchen in a newly built extension, depth about 70 or 75mm. 

About to lay Cellotex insulation followed by UFH and then screed to finish of.

 

Have never done it before but watched plenty of you tube videos.

 

Was thinking of hiring a labourer to help with install. Can hire 2 labourers if required.

 

Any tips/advice, is it a DIY job.

 

Off course most crucial thing is to get a perfectly level floor.

 

 

[markc]

Dry screeding is DIY able if you get yourself organised first … or it can go horribly wrong. At 50mm thick, 21sq will be around 2100kgs so you are looking at 3200kgs (ish) - a lot to move for 1 or even 2 people.

levels / flatness are your next concern. Set out your finished level around the perimeter.. small blocks screwed to wall work well. You can then use a long spirit level as a screed bar and work from your level blocks.

get the screed mix into place and compact it well by walking around and/or an electric compactor. When it’s upto (slightly high) level, scrape it back to level and flat from the level blocks. ….. or just use wet screed and save a lot of effort.

 

Edited 17 hours ago by markc

[Mr Punter]

The advice from @Russell griffiths was good.  A labourer would be useful, but not if they don't know what they are doing.  You may as well get them to mix (with a mixer) rather than have it delivered.  Make sure is it just moist enough that it holds into a ball if you squeeze it, but not wet.  You are best with a polythene layer on top of the Celotex.  A laser level may be helpful.  A long aluminium straight edge to screed with.  Use kneepads.  I wouldn't fancy doing this myself as I would be too knackered after the 2nd hour.

 

On 21/04/2026 at 07:58, Russell griffiths said:

You start by setting the finished height in a number of areas 

then barrow in 20-30 barrow fulls and tip into these marked areas, walk up and down on it and push it into all the corners, keep walking on it, it needs to be fully compacted, not open a fluffy. 
make a flat pad 400mm square level with your finished height mark

go to another mark 2-3 m away and make another pad

Fill in between these pads and compact

use a straight edge, aluminium is best to scrape the in fill down to the top of your pads, fill in low spots and drag again until no air is under the straight edge. 
complete two strips opposite each other

then fill in the big area between these strips and again drag the straight edge over it filling in voids and compacting as you go. 
after you have completed a 1m wide strip the width of the room you can use a plastic float in a figure of 8 motion to even out the straight edge marks. 
don’t worry about loose product sitting on top, these will sweep of when dry. 
continue back for another metre. 
don’t have too many breaks keep the screed always moist on the last edge you don’t want cold joints. 
 

I hope your fit it will kill you if you have not done it before. 
if it’s ready mixed it will take you half a day. 

[ab12]

Thank you both markc and Mr Punter.

Was thinking of getting ready made dry screed delivered to the property.

From estimated I got over a year ago if memory serves me right I think cost of was in the region of £400 - £450 for the dry screed.

Would imagine wet screed is going to be more expensive but I will be saviung on labour costs.

 

Regarding the dry screed , delivery will most likely be dumped at the front of the prooperty.

How do I make sure it consistently stays moist of enough for installation? Keeping adding every so often and mixing it