Flooring Installation Cost Calculator
Quick answer: Installing 500 square feet of luxury vinyl plank typically costs $2,000 to $5,500, laminate $1,500 to $4,500 and engineered hardwood $3,000 to $7,500, before removing the old floor.
Estimate flooring installation cost for luxury vinyl plank, laminate, sheet vinyl or engineered hardwood. Get a low, typical and high price per sq ft with removal.
Estimated total
- Low
- $2,000
- Typical
- $3,500
- High
- $5,500
$7.00 per sq ft all-in (range $4.00–$11.00)
Where the money goes (typical)
- Materials
- $1,925 (55%)
- Labor
- $1,575 (45%)
Line items (typical)
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $3,500 |
Waterproof click planks. Popular for kitchens, basements and whole-house floors.
General U.S. estimates for installed cost, not quotes. We compared them with national per-square-foot ranges from HomeGuide (about $4 to $16 for LVP installed) and Fixr. Prices reviewed November 2026. Get at least three local quotes before you commit.
Flooring quotes are usually per square foot installed, covering the flooring itself and the labor to lay it. Removing what's there now, leveling the subfloor and any separate underlayment are often listed as extra lines.
Enter the floor area, choose LVP, laminate, sheet vinyl or engineered hardwood, and tick the prep work you need. The estimator gives a realistic range with the labor and material split.
How the flooring installation cost estimate works
- Enter the floor area in square feet.
- Multiply it by the installed price per sq ft for the material you chose.
- Adjust for layout and your local cost level.
- Add the extras you ticked, such as removal, and any permit fee.
- Show the result as a low, typical and high total, split into materials, labor and fees.
Measure each room's length × width and add them, including closets. Buy 10% more flooring than the measured area to cover cuts (15% for diagonal or herringbone); installers usually charge labor on the measured area.
Flooring Installation Cost by material
| Material | Installed per sq ft | Labor share | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $4.00–$11.00 | 45% | Waterproof click planks. Popular for kitchens, basements and whole-house floors. |
| Laminate | $3.00–$9.00 | 50% | Wood look at a lower price. Water-resistant versions exist, but most dislike standing water. |
| Sheet vinyl | $2.00–$6.00 | 50% | Seamless rolls. The cheapest hard floor for bathrooms and laundry rooms. |
| Engineered hardwood | $6.00–$15.00 | 40% | Real wood veneer over plywood. Can be refinished once or twice. |
Flooring Installation Cost by size
Typical total with the low–high range below it. Assumes open rooms, straight lay; average u.s..
| Floor area | Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | Laminate | Sheet vinyl | Engineered hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft | $1,400$800–$2,200 | $1,100$600–$1,800 | $700$400–$1,200 | $2,000$1,200–$3,000 |
| 500 sq ft | $3,500$2,000–$5,500 | $2,750$1,500–$4,500 | $1,750$1,000–$3,000 | $5,000$3,000–$7,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $7,000$4,000–$11,000 | $5,500$3,000–$9,000 | $3,500$2,000–$6,000 | $10,000$6,000–$15,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $10,500$6,000–$16,500 | $8,250$4,500–$13,500 | $5,250$3,000–$9,000 | $15,000$9,000–$22,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $14,000$8,000–$22,000 | $11,000$6,000–$18,000 | $7,000$4,000–$12,000 | $20,000$12,000–$30,000 |
What affects flooring installation cost
- Flooring material. Sheet vinyl is cheapest, followed by laminate and LVP. Engineered hardwood costs the most. Thicker wear layers and premium brands raise material cost.
- Removing the old floor. Carpet comes up quickly; ceramic tile takes much longer and creates more debris to haul away.
- Subfloor condition. Click floors need a flat subfloor. Dips and humps must be ground down or filled with leveling compound first.
- Layout and rooms. Many small rooms, closets, doorways and transitions mean more cuts. Herringbone and diagonal patterns take far longer to lay.
- Trim and transitions. Baseboards, quarter round, stair nosing and transition strips are often priced separately.
Frequently asked questions
How much does flooring installation cost?
Installing 500 square feet of luxury vinyl plank typically costs $2,000 to $5,500, laminate $1,500 to $4,500 and engineered hardwood $3,000 to $7,500, before removing the old floor.
How much does LVP cost per square foot installed?
Luxury vinyl plank typically runs $4 to $11 per square foot installed, with materials roughly $2 to $6 and labor $2 to $5 depending on the product and the job.
Is laminate or LVP cheaper to install?
Laminate is usually a little cheaper per square foot. LVP costs more but is waterproof, which makes it the better pick for kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
How much does it cost to remove old flooring?
Carpet and pad removal is about $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. Ceramic tile is $1.50 to $4 because it has to be broken up and scraped off.
About these figures
General U.S. estimates for installed cost, not quotes. We compared them with national per-square-foot ranges from HomeGuide (about $4 to $16 for LVP installed) and Fixr. Last reviewed November 2026. Your price depends on your home, your region and the contractor, so treat this as a budget range and compare it with written quotes.