How We Sorted Our In Slab Underfloor Heating in Melbourne

When my husband and I started building our new home in Brighton, we knew we wanted in slab underfloor heating from the start. We'd visited a friend's place in Toorak where she had it installed, and I still remember standing in her kitchen on a freezing July morning with absolutely no shoes on and feeling completely fine. That was the moment we decided: whatever it took, we were going to have that in our new build. What we didn't quite realise was how much research it would take to find someone who actually knew what they were doing when it came to in slab underfloor heating in Melbourne — and that's where Livella Underfloor Heating came in.

My name is Sophie, and this is the story of how we went from slightly overwhelmed first-time builders to warm, happy homeowners in Brighton's back streets — and why I'd point anyone asking about electric underfloor heating systems straight to the team at Livella.

The Problem: Too Many Options, Not Enough Answers

Building a new home in Melbourne is one of those experiences that sounds exciting until you're three months in and drowning in decisions. Every tradie, supplier, and neighbour has an opinion. When it came to in slab underfloor heating, we found the information online was all over the place. Some sites were pushing electric systems, others were spruiking hydronic heating, and half the forums we found were written for completely different climates. Melbourne's weather — that famous "four seasons in one day" situation — meant we needed heating that could cope with cold snaps but wasn't going to cost us a fortune to run on the milder days.

Our builder was helpful enough but freely admitted that radiant floor heating wasn't really his area of expertise. He'd done a couple of jobs with basic systems but couldn't give us the detailed advice we needed about which type of in slab system would suit our slab type, our home's orientation, or our long-term running costs. We spoke to a few suppliers at a home show near South Melbourne but left with brochures and not much clarity. We needed someone who could walk us through the actual process — from pipework layout and manifold placement to how the system would integrate with our hot water service and thermostat controls.

After one particularly frustrating evening of googling "best underfloor heating installer Melbourne" and "hydronic slab heating cost Melbourne," my husband stumbled across Livella Underfloor Heating. The website was clear, the information made sense, and there was an actual phone number. We gave them a ring the next morning.

How Livella Underfloor Heating Responded

From the very first call, the difference was obvious. The person we spoke to at Livella wasn't trying to upsell us or rush us off the phone. We explained where we were at with the build — we were about six weeks from the slab pour — and they immediately understood what stage we were at and what needed to happen. They asked about our slab dimensions, whether we had a gas or electric hot water system, and what kind of floor coverings we were planning. These were the kinds of questions we hadn't even thought to ask ourselves.

What really stood out was how Livella communicated throughout the whole process. We received a written scope of works, a clear timeline, and they liaised directly with our builder to coordinate the installation around the slab schedule with their Melbourne based installer. There were no nasty surprises on the day, no delays caused by miscommunication, and the crew who turned up were professional and tidy. We were also given guidance on how the system would need to be commissioned once the slab had cured — something a lot of installers apparently forget to mention.

The Solution and Outcome

Livella installed a full electric in slab underfloor heating system throughout our ground floor, which covers our open-plan living and dining area, the kitchen, and the main bathroom. The matting was laid in carefully  across the slab before the concrete pour, with the spacing and depth calibrated to our specific floor coverings — we had polished concrete in the living areas and large-format tiles in the bathroom.

Once the slab cured and we moved in that winter, the results were everything we'd hoped for. The floor warms slowly and evenly, and once it's up to temperature it holds that warmth incredibly well. We set the thermostat in the morning and by the time we're home from work the living area is beautifully comfortable — no cold spots, no drafts, none of the dry air you get from ducted heating. Our two-year-old runs around on the polished concrete in bare feet without a second thought, which was honestly the moment I knew we'd made the right call.

Running costs have also been very reasonable. Because radiant heating warms people and surfaces rather than just the air, the system doesn't need to work as hard as a conventional forced-air system. We're in a well-insulated home, which helps, but our energy bills over that first winter were lower than we'd budgeted. Livella's advice about zoning has also made a real difference — we only heat the rooms we're actually using, which means we're not wasting energy on empty bedrooms.

What I'd Tell Anyone Considering It

If you're building in Melbourne and you're on the fence about in slab underfloor heating, my honest advice is to sort it out before the slab goes down. The key is finding an installer who genuinely understands the thermal properties of different slab types, floor coverings, and home designs. That's not something every tradie can offer. Livella Underfloor Heating were the only company we spoke to who could answer every question we had with confidence and back it up with a written plan.

We've since recommended Livella to two couples in our street who are renovating — one in Brighton East and another doing an extension in Sandringham. Both had the same experience we did: knowledgeable team, clear communication, and a result that genuinely transforms the way a home feels in winter. If you're searching for in slab underfloor heating in Melbourne and you want it done properly the first time, give Livella a call. We did, and we haven't looked back.

If you're planning a new build or major renovation in Melbourne and want expert advice on in slab underfloor heating , reach out to Livella Underfloor Heating. Whether you're in Brighton, South Yarra, Hawthorn, or anywhere across greater Melbourne, we're here to help you create a home that's warm from the ground up.