Reviewed & Approved on August 26, 2020 by Dan DiClerico, Smart Home Strategist and Home Expert.
Written by HomeAdvisor.
Flooring Installation Cost Per Square Foot
The total cost to install flooring is between $3 and $22 per square foot depending on the material. You can expect to pay between $1,496 and $4,465 with an average price of about $2,952 to cover a 500 square foot space.
The price of labor per square foot runs from $0.60 to $4.00 depending on the contractor and scope of the project.
| Type of Flooring | Total Average Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Hardwood Flooring Costs | $6 - $22 |
| Laminate Flooring Installation Cost | $3 - $10 |
| Carpeting Installation Cost | $3.50 - $11 |
| Cost to Install Natural Stone Tile | $6 - $20 |
| Cost to Install Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Floors | $7 - $20 |
| Vinyl or Linoleum Floor Installation Costs | $3 - $7 |
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Flooring Cost Calculator
| National Average | $2,952 |
| Typical Range | $1,496 - $4,465 |
| Low End - High End | $200 - $11,000 |
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Request QuotesAverage Cost to Install a Flooring
| Average Cost | $2,952 |
| Typical Range | $1,496 and $4,465 |
| Low | $200 |
| High | $11,000 |
On average, expect to pay $2,952 to install flooring in a 500 square foot area. Much of the variation comes from the price of materials. For example, hardwood flooring is pricier than carpet. More difficult projects, like installing on stairs, are more expensive.
New Flooring Material Cost Comparison
The price of flooring material varies from $0.50 to $15 per square foot depending on the product. High-end wool carpet, exotic wood and specialty tile are pricier than basic vinyl or laminate. Check out the table below for material costs.
| Flooring Type | Cost Per Square Foot of Materials |
|---|---|
| Wood | $3 - $14 |
| Laminate | $0.70 - $2 |
| Vinyl & Linoleum | $0.50 - $5.00 |
| Tile | $2 - $15 |
| Wood Tile | $0.50 - $6.50 |
| Carpeting | $2 - $7 |
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Hardwood Floorboards
The cost to install hardwood floorboards on 1,000 square feet runs from $6,000 to $22,000. Most projects of this size cost around $8,000. Materials for this area run from $3,000 to $14,000. There are several types available, including parquet, engineered wood flooring and various species of wood to choose from. Talk to a hardwood floor pro to find out what will work best in your space.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Its beauty makes it a design favorite | Water and humidity can warp the wood |
| Can be refinished several times for a refresh | Can become creaky over time |
| Does not attract or retain dirt and microbes | Must be level to prevent bending and popping |
| Great return on investment |
Laminate
Laminate flooring costs around $5,550 to install on 1,000 square feet. The materials run from $700 to $2,000. This option provides a good imitation for wood, stone or tile without the high price tag.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable and often comes with warranties | No significant increase to resale value |
| Low maintenance | Not possible to refinish or sand |
| Possible to install over existing floors | Some varieties are slippery |
Vinyl & Linoleum
The price of vinyl and linoleum floor installation runs from about $3,000 to $7,000 to cover 1,000 square feet of space. The materials run from $500 to $5,000. Vinyl must be installed on a flat surface. Linoleum requires sealing after installation and then once every year afterward.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Vinyl is typically not considered an eco-friendly option |
| Wide variety of colors and patterns | These materials show wear without proper maintenance |
| Soft feel | Can gouge more easily than harder flooring materials |
| Generally low maintenance |
Tile Floors
Tile floor installation costs vary greatly, but typically run from $6 to $20 per square foot. To cover 1,000 square feet, you can expect to pay $6,000 to $20,000. For materials alone, you’ll pay $2 to $15 per square foot. Some specialty tile, like agate, abalone and mother of pearl, is much more expensive.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable and easy to maintain | Difficult to install |
| Works well with radiant floor heating installations | Can be slippery when wet |
| Water resistant | Could be broken by heavy objects |
Wood Tile Flooring Costs
Wood tile flooring costs from $0.50 to $6.50 per square foot. Expect to pay from $500 to $6,500 for materials to cover 1,000 square feet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Looks like hardwood flooring without the expense | Tile is slippery when wet |
| Waterproof and will not warp | Resale value is not as high as real wood floors |
| Easy to clean | Cannot be refinished |
Carpeting
The price to install carpeting on 1,000 square feet runs from $3,500 to $11,000. For materials alone, you’ll pay $2 to $7 per square foot. Builder-grade olefin and polyester materials are less expensive than high-end wool carpet or specialty materials.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides good insulation | Can trap moisture, leading to mold and mildew |
| Helps reduce noise | Dust, insects and allergens can become trapped in carpet |
| Fairly low maintenance besides vacuuming and occasional shampooing | Smells and stains can linger in fibers |
Other Flooring Types & Costs
Here are a few different kinds of flooring and their costs, including fiber floor prices and polished concrete flooring costs.
| Type of Flooring | Average Material Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Fiberglass-Backed Vinyl | $5 |
| Rubber Tile | $10 |
| Polished Concrete | $2 - $8 |
Flooring Labor Rates
There are several factors to consider when calculating the labor rate for your flooring projects. Get started with this overview. Then, talk to a professional flooring contractor for an accurate quote.
Labor Cost Factors
- Type of material
- Sales taxes or import fees on materials
- Difficulty of project
- Distance to the job site
- Amount of prep work required
- Cost of new subfloor and baseboard (if needed)
- If existing floor needs to be removed before work can begin
- Testing and remediation of hazardous materials (if needed)
Talk to Local Pros to Get Quotes For Your Floor Installation
| Square Footage | Total Cost of Flooring Installation |
|---|---|
| 10 | $30 - $220 |
| 100 | $300 - $2,200 |
| 1,000 | $3,000 - $22,000 |
| 1,200 | $3,600 - $26,400 |
| 2,000 | $6,000 - $44,000 |
| 2,500 | $7,500 - $55,000 |
| 3,000 | $9,000 - $66,000 |
Average Cost to Replace Flooring
You can expect to pay between $7 and $28.50 per square foot to replace your flooring. The cost to tear up and dispose of materials runs from $2 to $4 per square foot. Replacement involves removing old floors, disposing of the materials, prepping for new floors and installing new materials.
Kitchen & Bathroom Flooring Replacement Costs
It costs from $8 to $24 per square foot to tear out old flooring and replace it with water-resistant tile. For a 100 square foot bathroom, you might pay between $800 and $2,400 to replace the covering.
Cost to Replace Carpet with Hardwood, Laminate or Tile
Removing carpet costs $1 to $1.50 per square foot. You can expect to pay from $4 to $23.50 per square foot to replace carpet with hardwood, laminate or tile. The cost will be higher if you need to install a new subfloor and baseboards.
Cost to Change Tile to Hardwood or Laminate
The cost to change tile to hardwood or laminate runs from $9 to $30 per square foot. This price includes tearing up old tile, disposing of materials, prepping the surface and installing a new covering. This price can go up if there is extensive damage to the old floor. Laminate is less expensive than hardwood flooring.
Compare Quotes From Flooring Installers Near You
Cost to Refloor a House
The cost to redo floors in a 1,000 square foot area runs from $7,000 to $28,500. This includes the cost to tear out and dispose of old flooring, install a new subfloor and baseboards, purchase new materials and install a new covering. See if you can pay the cost to repair your flooring rather than starting over from scratch.
Each project is different. Be sure to ask a trusted pro for a quote so you can set the right budget.
Floor Remodel or Renovation Costs
Floor renovation prices vary depending on the project. The cost to refinish wood floors is about $1.50 to $4 per square foot. A floor covering replacement runs $7 to $28.50 per square foot, thanks to the added costs of debris removal, new subfloors, baseboards and material installation.
DIY Flooring Cost vs. Hiring a Pro
DIY installs cost from $0.50 to $15 per square foot for materials, assuming the installation surface is prepped and ready to go. Hiring a pro runs from $3 to $22 per square foot for both labor and materials. Collect multiple flooring quotes from local pros to get an accurate estimate for your space.
FAQs
How much does it cost to install a floor for a new construction?
The cost to install new subfloor and floorboards in a new construction ranges from $7,500 to $36,750 to cover 1,500 square feet. On average, subfloor costs $2 to $2.50 per square foot. Floorboards run from $3 to $22 per square foot for materials and installation.
How much does a dance floor installation cost?
The cost to install rubber flooring for a dance floor ranges from $800 to $1,500 for a 144 square foot room. Installation costs around $2 per square foot.
Is tile cheaper than laminate?
Laminate flooring is almost always cheaper than the counterparts it imitates. Real wood, stone and tile are not only usually more expensive materials but are almost always considerably more expensive to install. Laminate, wood and stone floors are also more durable and made for high traffic areas.
Is it cheaper to lay carpet or vinyl?
The labor cost to lay carpet is cheaper than the price to install vinyl. Carpet installation costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot while vinyl can be as much as $10 per square foot.
How much does it cost to install 1,000 square feet of hardwood floors?
The price to install 1,000 square feet of hardwood floors is around $8,000. Exotic woods tend to be more expensive than domestic varieties and will increase this cost.
How much does Home Depot charge to install flooring?
Home Depot charges anywhere from about $1.50 to $4 per square foot to install various types of flooring, before the cost of materials. Hardwood installation is pricier than vinyl tile installation.
What are Empire flooring prices?
Empire Today flooring does not provide their pricing online. Instead, they connect you with a professional to give you a price estimate.
