Quick Answer: New flooring costs $3–$18 per square foot installed, depending on material and quality. Laminate is cheapest at $3–$8/sq ft, followed by vinyl/LVP at $4–$10/sq ft. Hardwood runs $6–$18/sq ft and tile $5–$20/sq ft. Labor is 30–60% of total cost and varies by metro area — Houston carpenters average $25/hr while Chicago averages $35/hr. For 200 sq ft of mid-range hardwood, expect $2,500–$4,000 total including removal, prep, and contractor markup.
Compare installation costs across five flooring types. Select your material, quality tier, and ZIP code to get a location-specific estimate with a full cost breakdown.
Flooring Cost by Material Type
Installed cost per square foot including materials, labor, removal, prep, and contractor markup:
| Flooring Type | Basic | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | $6–$10/sq ft | $9–$14/sq ft | $14–$18/sq ft |
| Laminate | $3–$5/sq ft | $5–$7/sq ft | $7–$9/sq ft |
| Vinyl / LVP | $4–$6/sq ft | $6–$9/sq ft | $9–$12/sq ft |
| Tile | $5–$8/sq ft | $8–$13/sq ft | $14–$20/sq ft |
| Carpet | $3–$5/sq ft | $5–$8/sq ft | $8–$11/sq ft |
How to Estimate Flooring Cost
The formula for estimating installed flooring cost is:
- Materials: Area (sq ft) × material cost per sq ft. Ranges from $1.50/sq ft for basic laminate to $12+/sq ft for premium hardwood.
- Labor: Area × hours per sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Carpet installs at 0.06 hr/sq ft; tile at 0.20 hr/sq ft.
- Fixed costs: Old flooring removal ($100–$200), subfloor prep ($50–$200), and transitions/trim ($50–$100).
- Contractor markup: 20% of the subtotal for overhead and profit.
Flooring Material Comparison
- Hardwood: Best resale value (70–80% ROI). Lifespan 25–100+ years with refinishing. Susceptible to water damage and scratches. Install over wood subfloors only.
- Laminate: Most budget-friendly option. Lifespan 15–25 years. Looks like wood but cannot be refinished. Good for DIY — click-lock installation over most subfloors.
- Vinyl / LVP: 100% waterproof. Lifespan 10–20 years. Luxury vinyl plank mimics wood or stone convincingly. Best for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
- Tile: Most durable — lifespan 50+ years. Waterproof and scratch-proof. Highest labor cost due to mortar, grout, and cutting. Cold underfoot without radiant heat.
- Carpet: Softest and warmest underfoot. Lifespan 5–15 years. Cheapest to install but stains and wears. Best for bedrooms and playrooms. Not suitable for wet areas.
Room Size Reference
| Room | Typical Size | Mid-Range Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | 40–75 sq ft | $600–$1,200 |
| Bedroom | 120–200 sq ft | $1,400–$2,800 |
| Kitchen | 100–250 sq ft | $1,200–$3,200 |
| Living Room | 200–400 sq ft | $2,500–$5,000 |
| Whole House | 1,000–2,500 sq ft | $10,000–$30,000 |
Formula Summary
Flooring Cost Formula: Total installed cost is the sum of materials, labor (burdened), and fixed costs, multiplied by contractor markup.
Total = (A × M + A × H × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20
where A = floor area (sq ft), M = material cost per sq ft, H = labor hours per sq ft, R = hourly trade rate, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = contractor markup.
| Flooring Type | Hr/Sq Ft | Primary Trade | Fixed Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | 0.18 | Carpenter | $450 |
| Laminate | 0.08 | General Labor | $325 |
| Vinyl/LVP | 0.08 | General Labor | $275 |
| Tile | 0.20 | Tile Setter | $500 |
| Carpet | 0.06 | General Labor | $225 |
Constants: Labor burden 1.5× (payroll taxes, insurance, benefits). Contractor markup 20% (overhead + profit). Fixed costs include old flooring removal, subfloor prep/underlayment, and transitions/trim. Labor rates sourced from BLS OEWS May 2024 data for 393 US metropolitan areas.
Construction Laborers Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Metro | 25th %ile | Mean | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $23.58 | $34.43 | $46.30 |
| Los Angeles | $22.76 | $31.23 | $37.41 |
| Chicago | $23.06 | $34.99 | $49.12 |
| Dallas | $17.57 | $19.90 | $22.44 |
| Houston | $17.37 | $20.13 | $22.26 |
| Washington | $19.07 | $23.15 | $25.56 |
| Philadelphia | $22.15 | $28.19 | $33.54 |
| Miami | $18.18 | $21.69 | $23.42 |
| Atlanta | $17.16 | $20.30 | $23.23 |
| Phoenix | $19.66 | $23.17 | $25.26 |
Related Calculators
- Carpet Calculator — calculate carpet square footage and material cost
- Tile Calculator — estimate tiles needed for floors and walls
- Grout Calculator — calculate grout for your tile flooring project
- Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator — estimate full bathroom renovation costs including flooring
- Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator — estimate kitchen renovation costs with local labor rates
Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.
Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.