The cost of new flooring can be a big part of your home remodeling budget, but the exact price will vary greatly depending on the type of flooring you choose, as it affects both material and labor costs.
To find out how much you can expect your new floor to cost, we spoke with home experts Joe Marchionni, owner of Amity Home Maintenance Solutions, and Jennifer Homeyer, CEO of The Design House. We’ve covered the cost of flooring, the overall impact of prep work, and other factors to consider.
Let’s break down the actual cost of a new floor.
Average cost of new flooring
According to our home improvement experts, installing new flooring in your home will cost: $2.25 to $32 per total square foot. This includes material costs of $0.75 to $20 per square foot and labor costs of $1.50 to $12 per square foot.
Prices primarily depend on the type of flooring being installed. Carpet and laminate are the most affordable and are at the lower end of the price range, while premium materials like hardwood and natural stone tiles move you closer to the higher end of the price range.
Cost by type of flooring material
The type of new flooring you install will have a big impact on the cost. Please note that the costs below are averages from our experts, so prices may vary.
| Types of flooring | average material cost | average labor cost | total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood/artificial wood | $2 – $14 | $4 – $8 | $6 – $22 |
| laminate | $2 – $6 | $2 – $4 | $4 – $10 |
| vinyl | $2 – $7 | $2 – $5 | $4 – $12 |
| tile | $4 – $10 | $6 – $10 | $10 – $20 |
| carpet | $0.75–$12 | $1.50–$4 | $2.25–$16 |
| natural stone | $8 – $20 | $7 – $12 | $15–$32 |
*Prices listed represent cost per square foot
Some materials, such as natural stone and tile, rank high on the list as the most expensive because they require more work. In addition to being time consuming, the installer may need to level the subfloor and install a vapor barrier. Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles are all very hard, so it’s important that the subfloor is perfectly level to avoid cracking or shifting the tiles.
Carpets and laminates are easy to cut and process materials and require minimal preparation, resulting in significantly lower labor costs.
Labor and installation costs
On average, the effort required to install flooring is: $1.50 and $12 per square foot. Labor costs vary depending on how easy the flooring is to cut and install, how much prep work is required before installation, and where you live. Labor costs are proportional to the cost of living, so if you live in a large city or a state with a high cost of living, you can expect to pay above average.
Labor costs are high, up to $1,200 for a 100 square foot room, but it’s usually worth hiring a professional flooring installer. Professional installation will give you a better finished product and can further increase the value of your home.
Also, professionals are less likely to make mistakes during installation. This could mean important things for your new floor, including:
- Less likely to be damaged by moisture or water
- Lower risk of cracking of stone and ceramic tiles
- perfectly level floor
- Guarantee that your flooring is undamaged
Additional costs that affect the final price
The most important cost factors to consider when creating a new floor are materials and labor, but there are other factors that can dramatically affect the total. The most notable hidden costs incurred are sub-floor repairs and preparation work.
“When you remove old flooring, especially near windows and doors or in the bathroom, it’s not uncommon to find rotten subfloors that need replacing,” says Joe Marchionni, owner of Amity Home Maintenance Solutions, a home improvement contractor in Connecticut. “It can be a little expensive depending on the extent of the damage.”
You should also consider the type of flooring that will be removed before installation, as this will determine the amount of preparation work required. The more work that is required before the actual flooring installation, the higher the labor costs.
“There are a lot of homeowners who want to put in tile and put in hardwood or vinyl,” added Jennifer Homeyer, CEO of The Design House, a Texas home improvement company. “Removing the tiles and the thinset (dry-cured mortar) underneath them is very labor-intensive and must be done correctly in order for adhesive-bonded engineered wood floors to lie flat and adhere to the subfloor. The same goes for floating vinyl floors.”
Finally, you’ll need to budget for finishes like baseboards, trim, and transitions. These all add to the total cost. This is especially true if you choose high-end or decorative materials, or if you have a complex room layout that requires significant cuts.
How room type affects flooring costs
The type of room determines the most appropriate flooring material, which is why some rooms cost more to refloor than others. For example, you’ll likely have carpet in your living room, while tile or stone is best for mudrooms and bathrooms.
In areas where the flooring is easily exposed to moisture and water, such as bathrooms and kitchens, the need for waterproofing and special underlayment under the flooring can increase material and labor costs. Tile floors are inherently expensive and require a perfectly level subfloor, waterproofing, and a thinset application. All of these factors add to the cost of replacing your kitchen and bathroom floors.
When reflooring a basement or basement space, you may need to do some prep work to level the slab, fill cracks, and waterproof it before installing the actual floor. As a result, these areas also tend to have higher reflooring costs.
How to estimate your flooring budget
There are so many factors that can affect the cost of new flooring, so understanding how to estimate the cost of flooring can help you avoid surprises and know what your total cost will be.
Here’s how to estimate the cost of new flooring.
- Start by measuring your space. Be sure to measure the entire floor area and get a whole number in square feet.
- Add 10% to the measured square footage To account for waste and cutoffs.
- Multiply that number by the lowest price per square foot. Your desired flooring material, including labor costs, Not just high-end costs And the average.
This process will give you a rough estimate that includes average, minimum, and maximum costs for your flooring project. Always add 10% to your total budget as there may be unforeseen issues when removing old flooring.
To get an accurate quote, contact at least three flooring contractors in your area and ask them to give you a quote. Most professionals will provide a free inspection and quote that includes the cost of materials, labor, and prep work.
Conclusion: The cost of new flooring
Installing new flooring is a major home improvement project, regardless of the type of flooring you install, but the price can vary greatly depending on the material you choose. Labor costs, unexpected subfloor repairs, and finishing touches like installing baseboards and trim can all contribute to the total cost.
You can use average flooring costs to get a rough estimate of the total cost, but with so many factors involved, consider getting a quote from a local flooring professional to nail down your budget.
FAQ
How much does new flooring cost per square foot?
Installing new flooring can cost between $2.25 and $32 per square foot, including materials and labor. The best way to find out exact pricing is to request a quote from a local flooring specialist.
What is the cheapest flooring material to install?
The cheapest flooring to install is carpet, which costs just $2.25 per square foot. Carpet is an affordable material that requires little floor preparation or leveling. The installation process is easy and affordable as the material is lightweight and easy to cut.
Some laminate and vinyl flooring can be as affordable as $4 per square foot for materials and labor.
Are labor costs higher than flooring materials?
In most cases, flooring costs the same or slightly more than labor, but there are exceptions. For tile and natural stone, the installation process is complex and time-consuming, especially since both materials require a perfectly level subfloor. With these flooring options, the labor costs can easily exceed the material costs.
Will it cost more to install flooring in the kitchen or bathroom?
Flooring is usually more expensive in kitchens and bathrooms than in living areas and bedrooms. Tile and natural stone are some of the most popular flooring materials for kitchens and bathrooms, and are among the most expensive materials. Rooms that are prone to leaks and moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms, are more likely to require sub-floor repairs and waterproofing work, which can be costly.
How much extra should you budget for unexpected flooring costs?
Budget an additional 10% for unexpected expenses during your home improvement project.
