Updated June 17, 2026
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Flooring installation costs $3 to $10 per square foot in labor, plus $2 to $15 per square foot for materials, for a total of $5 to $25 per square foot fully installed -- with laminate at the low end and solid hardwood at the high end. A 300-square-foot living room runs roughly $1,500 to $6,000 installed, depending on material choice and subfloor condition.
Cost by flooring type (installed, materials + labor)
| Flooring type | Material cost/sq ft | Labor cost/sq ft | Total installed/sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $1-$5 | $2-$5 | $3-$10 |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $2-$7 | $2-$5 | $4-$12 |
| Ceramic or porcelain tile | $1-$10 | $4-$8 | $5-$18 |
| Engineered hardwood | $3-$12 | $3-$7 | $6-$19 |
| Solid hardwood | $5-$15 | $4-$9 | $9-$24 |
| Carpet (installed) | $2-$6 | $1-$3 | $3-$9 |
Labor cost factors
- Subfloor prep: Leveling or repairing a subfloor adds $1 to $3 per square foot and is common in older homes.
- Old floor removal: Demo and disposal adds $1 to $2 per square foot.
- Room shape: Rooms with lots of angles, stairs, or insets cost more to install due to extra cuts.
- Stair installation: Hardwood or LVP on stairs runs $50 to $100 per stair tread, installed.
- Geographic location: Labor in high-cost metros is typically 30 to 50 percent above the national range.
LVP vs. hardwood: what most homeowners choose
Luxury vinyl plank has become the most popular choice for DIY and contractor installs because it is waterproof, durable, and installs as a floating floor without glue or nails. At $4 to $12 per square foot installed, it costs roughly half what solid hardwood runs. Hardwood adds resale value and longevity (it can be refinished), but its higher cost and moisture sensitivity make LVP the practical pick for kitchens, basements, and bathrooms.
Getting an accurate quote
Material costs are the easier part to pin down -- measure your room and price the material per square foot. Labor varies more: get at least three quotes from local contractors and ask specifically whether subfloor prep, removal of existing flooring, and transition strips are included. Installers who quote by the square foot often add surcharges for prep that can double the base quote. Use our flooring calculator to size your project and square footage calculator to measure your rooms before calling for quotes.
DIY flooring installation
Laminate and LVP floating floors are genuinely DIY-friendly. With basic tools (pull bar, tapping block, saw, and spacers) and a weekend, a motivated homeowner can install 300 to 400 square feet. Tile and hardwood require more skill and the right tools -- tile needs a wet saw, hardwood needs a nail gun. DIY saves the full labor cost, typically $600 to $2,000 on a standard room project.
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