How Much Does It Cost to Install Laminate Flooring?
Installing laminate flooring can be daunting to most homeowners since they worry about unexpected expenses, hidden fees, and whether their budget will cover materials and labor. With in-depth research, this guide has got you covered!
On average, installing laminate flooring in a room costs about $1 to $4 per square foot, excluding labor. Including labor, the average cost can rise to between $3 and $11 per square foot.
The great news? You can reduce these costs drastically depending on the type of laminate flooring you choose, whether you DIY it, and other factors, which we’ll explore in this article.
What's the Average Cost to Install Laminate Flooring?
One of the most common questions homeowners have is, “How much will it cost to lay laminate flooring?”.
Well, the average cost of installing laminate flooring depends on several factors like the room size, the type of laminate flooring used, and the thickness and finish of the laminate flooring.
If you’re DIYing the installation of laminate flooring, the material should cost you about $1 to $4 per square foot on average.
However, adding up the labor costs means that you will have to pay between $3 and $15 per square foot on average.
Let’s say, the size of your room is 200 square feet and professionals are responsible for the installation. This way, you will be paying on average $1200 to $4200.
On the contrary, if your room is bigger, measuring 600 square feet, your cost will typically be between $2200 and $8600.
Of course, these costs can increase (or even decrease) based on several other factors, which we will discuss in detail one by one in a while.
How to Calculate the Cost of Installing Laminate Flooring?
In order to calculate the installation cost of laminate flooring, you can answer a few questions on HomeBuddy. This will connect you to expert local contractors who will give you a free quote and answer your questions.
Moreover, you can also use the table below to calculate the cost of installing laminate flooring in your home:
| Item | Cost per Square Foot ($) | Area (Square Feet) | Total Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Cost | |||
| Installation Cost | |||
| Subfloor Cost | |||
| Underlayment Cost | |||
| Trim and Molding | |||
| Disposal of Old Flooring | |||
| Additional Features (if any) | |||
| TOTAL |
You can calculate the total square footage by following these easy steps:
- Measure the dimensions of each room where you’re planning to install new flooring:
- Measure the length and width of each room in feet.
- For example, if a room is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide, the dimensions are 12 ft x 10 ft.
2. Multiply the dimensions of each room to calculate its square footage:
- Multiply the length by the width for each room.
- For example, 12 ft x 10 ft = 120 square feet.
3. Add up the square footage from each space to get the total square footage:
- Sum the square footage of all rooms to get the total area.
- For example, if you have two rooms: 120 sq ft + 150 sq ft = 270 sq ft.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Laminate Flooring
Whether you will pay less or more for installing laminate flooring depends on various factors, which we have broken down in detail below.
Floor Size
Keep in mind that the larger your room size, the more you will pay for laminate.
Let’s recap what we have already mentioned in the article:
On average, the cost to install laminate flooring is about $1 to $4 per square foot, not including labor. When you add labor costs, the price typically increases to between $3 and $11 per square foot.
Based on these figures, here are the flooring cost estimates for different floor sizes.
Type of Laminate Flooring
The main types of laminate flooring are – wood, tile, and stone. Most homeowners prefer wood flooring since it not only imitates the natural wood flooring look, but is also budget-friendly compared to other options.
Let’s look at each kind one by one:
Laminate Wood Flooring
You won’t only find one kind of wood flooring. There are plenty of wood types, and similarly, there are various types of laminate wood flooring, from oak to maple.
Although laminate wood flooring is the cheapest option, you will find different price points based on the kind of wood.
Keep in mind that if you’re trying to achieve the look of expensive wood, it will cost you more due to the detailing required.
| Style | Estimated Starting Cost per Square Foot ($) | Estimated Maximum Cost per Square Foot ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia | 1 | 4 |
| Beech | 1 | 4 |
| Oak | 1 | 4 |
| Elm | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| Maple | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| Hickory | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| Walnut | 2 | 4.5 |
Laminate Tile Flooring
Laminate tile flooring typically costs around $1 to $4 per square foot.
If you’re buying a design already available in the market, it might not cost you as much compared to asking for a customized style.
Laminate Stone Flooring
If you’re interested in laminate flooring that imitates stone, the average cost ranges from $1.50 to $4 per square foot.
Opting for a premium stone appearance, such as marble, will likely cost more.
Finish
The planks’ finish can affect the cost of laminate flooring as well, which can be matte, semi-matte, or glossy.
Matte finishes are perfect for a rustic look and are durable against scratches, making them suitable for high-traffic areas in your home.
In contrast, glossy finishes are more prone to scratches, and fingerprints and smudges show up more easily, requiring frequent cleaning.
If you’re looking for something in between and the most cost-friendly option, a semi-matte finish will be your best bet.
Here’s an estimated cost breakdown for all three finishes.
Texture
Whether you want a smooth or hand-scraped look for your flooring, this will affect the cost of laminate flooring too.
Textured laminate gives a more realistic look of a hardwood floor and offers slip resistance, but it can be harder to clean.
Smooth laminate, on the other hand, resembles polished wood or tile and is typically cheaper than deeply textured options.
Thickness
Geographic Location
The price to install laminate flooring can vary from state to state. For instance, areas with a higher cost of living, like New York, usually see higher prices.
If you’re hiring labor to install laminate flooring, the areas with higher wage rates may increase your overall costs.
Brand
Every brand offers different prices per square foot as mentioned in the table below.
The most affordable brands are TrafficMaster and Mannington, while Armstrong and Mohawk are considered high-end brands.
According to a survey by Statista, 18% of respondents most frequently used Mohawk brand flooring.
Labor Cost
If you can’t DIY the laminate flooring installation, you need to hire labor. Now, you may wonder, “What is the average labor cost to install laminate flooring?”.
On average, labor costs between $4 and $8 per square foot for installation.
The more difficult the project, the more costly it will be. Ask yourself questions like:
- Will the labor have to glue or nail down the flooring?
- Does the old flooring need to be removed?
- Does the flooring need to be installed in an odd place like stairs or a triangle-shaped room?
What Are the Additional Costs and Considerations When Installing Laminate Flooring?
In addition to the costs mentioned above, you might incur other expenses during installation. Let’s look at them one by one below.
Some laminate flooring types can be locked together during installation rather than being glued or nailed down, which is known as the 'floating floor' installation method.
This makes it easier to simply remove them and put new flooring on top of the subfloor.
However, if your old flooring is glued or nailed down, or if you have carpets, you will need to remove them. Hiring a professional for this service can cost anywhere from $50 to $70 per hour, totaling $400 to $600 for a full room as an estimate.
Minor issues with the subfloor aren't a serious problem and can be corrected with repairs before you install new flooring. However, major issues like water damage or an uneven subfloor require replacement, which can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $7.00 per square foot. Even when you’re considering how much does it cost to replace laminate flooring, these additional subfloor replacement costs must be factored in.
Before installing flooring, it's crucial to consider the cost of underlay.
Underlay serves as a protective layer between the subfloor and laminate flooring, guarding against moisture, mildew, and mold, while also dampening sound and providing cushioning.
A roll of underlayment costs between $40 and $80 per 100 square feet, and labor costs for installing underlay are around $70 per hour.
Laminate floors have an Abrasion Class (AC) rating that determines the durability of the flooring. The rating ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 being the least durable and 5 being the most durable.
AC 5 laminate is only appropriate for heavy-traffic commercial use. You can choose AC 3 or 4 laminate for high-traffic areas of your house, like living rooms and entryways. Laminate with an AC rating of 1 or 2 is suitable for low-traffic areas like bedrooms or closets.
The higher the AC rating, the more costly the flooring will be.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring
- Generally much cheaper than hardwood or tile
- Durable
- Comes in a wide range of styles, colors, and textures
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Resistant to fading
- UV-resistant
- DIY-friendly installation (thanks to the click-and-lock design of the planks)
- Cannot be sanded or refinished
- Not suitable for very wet areas like bathrooms
Should You DIY or Hire a Professional for Laminate Flooring Installation?
You could save around 20 to 50% of the project cost if you choose to DIY the project. However, you must understand the steps of laminate flooring installation, know how to use the tools, and have the right materials.
Make sure you only DIY the click-and-lock laminate flooring, as it’s DIY-friendly and should take you a week at most.
If you haven’t done this before, you risk poor installation, which can lead to more costs and hassle down the road.
When you need to glue or nail down the laminate, level/repair the subfloor, or lay the laminate in oddly shaped areas, it’s best to hire a professional.
They’ll complete the job faster and save you from the stress and inconvenience of potential mistakes. While it may cost more upfront, it can be worth it in the long run.
How To Hire a Professional?
If you’ve decided to hire a professional after weighing the pros and cons of DIY versus hiring for laminate flooring installation, the next step is figuring out how to find the right one for the job.
You can use the HomeBuddy service, which has completed over 13,000 projects by quickly matching individuals with expert and trusted local contractors.
Furthermore, here are tips to help you hire the right flooring contractor.
In addition to these tips, it’s extremely important to vet an installer by asking these questions.
Insider Tips to Save Money on Laminate Floor Installation
No doubt, laminate flooring installation can be expensive. However, we have some proven tips to help you save as much money as possible.
Conclusion
The material cost for laminate flooring ranges from $1 to $4 per square foot. If you’re not DIYing, you’ll need to factor in the labor cost, which averages between $2 and $7 per square foot.
These costs can increase based on the type, thickness, AC rating, texture, finish of the laminate, and other factors. However, you can always save money by following the expert tips shared in the article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laminate flooring is a type of floor covering that looks like wood but is made from four layers of synthetic materials snapped together: wear, design, core, and back layers.
Laminate is cheaper than hardwood in terms of both material and labor costs. Some homeowners can even DIY the project, thanks to the click-and-lock design that saves a lot on labor costs. However, laminate isn’t as long-lasting as hardwood, so you may only be able to save more upfront.
High-quality laminate or laminate used to replace old or poorly maintained flooring can increase your home value. However, some homeowners might prefer to invest more in hardwood flooring since it’s natural and tends to last longer.
Whether home buyers prefer carpet or laminate flooring depends on the installation location and their specific needs and preferences. For example, if a home buyer wants warmth and comfort in their bedroom, they might prefer carpet. On the other hand, for high-traffic areas like the kitchen and living room, where maintenance and cleaning are important, laminate flooring could be the better choice.
Installing laminate flooring can generally take 2 to 5 days, including a 48-72 hour acclimation period. Professionals can finish the job within 1 to 2 days for an average-sized room (up to 1,000 square feet), while DIYers may take a weekend. Preparation, room complexity, and subfloor condition also influence the total time.
Yes, you can install laminate flooring over tile, hardwood, linoleum, vinyl, and concrete if the surface is flat, level, and in good condition. You should always use an underlayment for moisture protection and cushioning. Remember not to install it over carpet or other floating floors like old laminate.
