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How much does flooring installation cost?
Cost insights
$4,000 to $9,000- Most flooring installs cost $4 to $16 per sq ft including materials and labor, depending on material.
- For 1,000 sq ft, that is about $4,000 to $9,000 in LVP, $3,000 to $8,000 in laminate, and $8,000 to $16,000 in hardwood.
- LVP has become the default US choice: waterproof, durable and the easiest floor a beginner can install.
- Old floor removal, subfloor repair and trim work add $1 to $4 per sq ft when they are not in the quote.
Flooring quotes bundle two different things, the material and the installation, and comparing them fairly means separating the two. This guide prices both together per square foot, the way most homeowners buy, and then shows the add-ons that separate a clean quote from a cheap one.
Flooring cost calculator
Floor area times the installed rate for your material, materials and labor together.
Flooring cost by area
Installed, mid-grade material, bare and flat subfloor.
| Area | LVP | Laminate | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $2,000 to $4,500 | $1,500 to $4,000 | $4,000 to $8,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $4,000 to $9,000 | $3,000 to $8,000 | $8,000 to $16,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $6,000 to $13,500 | $4,500 to $12,000 | $12,000 to $24,000 |
Cost by material
| Material | Installed per sq ft | Water | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury vinyl plank | $4 to $9 | Waterproof | Kitchens, baths, basements, everywhere |
| Laminate | $3 to $8 | Water-resistant at best | Bedrooms, living rooms |
| Hardwood | $8 to $16 | Damage risk | Living areas, resale value |
| Tile | $9 to $18 | Waterproof | Baths, entries, kitchens |
What determines the price?
Subfloor condition
Every floating and nailed floor telegraphs the subfloor under it. Dips, squeaks and water damage get fixed first, per square foot, or lived with forever.
Removal and disposal
Pulling old carpet is cheap. Pulling glued hardwood or tile is not, and asbestos-era vinyl in older homes needs a test before anyone swings a pry bar.
Pattern and layout
Straight lay is the base rate. Herringbone, diagonal runs, borders and long stair work add labor, from 15 percent up to double on intricate patterns.
Trim and transitions
Baseboards, quarter round, thresholds and stair nosings are small lines that finish the job. Quotes that omit them are not cheaper. They are unfinished.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Share of a typical job |
|---|---|
| Material | About 45 to 55% |
| Labor | About 35 to 45% |
| Underlayment, trim and disposal | About 10% |
DIY vs hiring a pro
DIY
Click-lock LVP and laminate are the most forgiving DIY floors in the house. The skills are measuring, undercutting door jambs and patience with the first three rows. Rent a tapping block kit and good knee pads.
Hiring a pro
Tile, site-finished hardwood, stairs and any floor over a suspect subfloor belong with pros. Tile in a bathroom adds waterproofing, which is a system, not a suggestion.
Refinish or replace, for existing hardwood: refinishing runs about $3 to $8 per sq ft and restores solid wood beautifully if the wear layer allows it. Floors worn through to bare wood in traffic lanes, or boards that are cupped and stained deep, are replacement candidates.
Ways to reduce the cost
- Buy 10 percent extra material for cuts and future repairs, from the same dye lot.
- Acclimate material in the room per the manufacturer instructions. Skipping this voids warranties.
- Get removal, subfloor work and trim priced as written lines.
- Do the wet rooms in LVP or tile and save hardwood money for the dry rooms.
How we get this cost data
Our ranges are built from published US material pricing, labor rate data including US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, and homeowner project reports. We update this page when prices move, and we show the updated date at the top. Ranges are national planning numbers. Your city and project condition will move your quote inside, or occasionally outside, the range.
Questions homeowners ask
How long does flooring installation take?
A pro crew floors 1,000 sq ft of LVP in one to two days. Tile takes longer because of setting and grouting days. Hardwood with finishing can take a week.
What is the cheapest floor that still looks good?
Laminate wins on price, LVP wins once water and pets enter the picture. Both beat carpet on upkeep and allergies.
Can new flooring go over old?
LVP and laminate often can, over a flat and sound surface. Tile and nailed hardwood almost always need the old floor out and the subfloor exposed.