How Much Does Mobile Home Floor Repair Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $300 - $5,000
The cost to repair mobile home flooring is $2,650 on average, but it can cost between $300 and $5,000 or more depending on the size of the floor and the flooring material.
Even the best laid mobile home floors might need some help now and then. Whether it’s due to water infiltration from a storm or a broken pipe, gradual wear and tear, or some other cause, your mobile home floors may need either repair or a full replacement. On average, mobile home floor repairs cost $300 to $5,000—but it depends on a number of factors. To get a better idea of how much you’ll need to spend to repair or replace your mobile home’s floor, assess the extent and cause of the damage first.
- Average
- $2,650
- Low end
- $130
- high end
- $10,000
Mobile Home Floor Repair Cost Factors
The cost of your mobile home floor repairs depends on a number of factors. The area of damage and the type of damage tend to have the largest impact, but there are also other scenarios. Keep these factors in mind when understanding your budget.
Size of the Area
On average, repairing your flooring costs anywhere between $2 and $30 per square foot, and most people only need to repair or replace a small section of flooring. A mobile home floor is built just like any other floor—your contractor will install joists, place a sturdy subfloor on top of the joists, then install your floor covering (be it vinyl, laminate, or any other flooring material).
Higher-end flooring with extensive damage (particularly structural damage) will cost more per square foot to repair than floors made from affordable materials with minor surface damage.
| Size of Mobile Home | Square Footage | Average Cost of Flooring |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Wide | $500 – $1,200 | $250 – $2,400 |
| Double-Wide | $1,000 – $2,000 | $500 – $4,000 |
| Triple- or Multi-Wide | $2,000+ | $1,000 – $10,000 |
Type of Surface or Subflooring Material
Your mobile home flooring most likely consists of three layers: the joists that provide the underlying support, the subfloor, and the floor covering. That visible layer of flooring may be somewhat easier to swap out and can cost less, while damage to joists is more complex and often expensive to repair.
Regardless of the layer, the type of flooring material will impact the total cost of the job.
Floor Joists
Floor joists are horizontal beams that structurally support your floors. On average, the cost to repair floor joists is between $1,000 and $10,000, while full replacement will cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.
The total cost depends on the accessibility and the extent of the repairs. Sistering, the act of reinforcing a damaged joist, costs $100 to $300 per joist. It’s one of the more affordable joist repairs.
Subfloor
The subfloor rests on the joists and provides a sturdy, flat surface where you can lay your floor covering. Repair of the subfloor costs between $2 and $10 per square foot, with most homeowners spending $500 to $700. The cost to replace a subfloor in a mobile home ranges from $1,800 to $3,000.
Newer mobile homes use sturdier subfloor materials like plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Many older homes use particleboard, which can cause major problems by frequently developing soft spots that may impact the joists. You should consider a replacement if you need repairs for an older type of subfloor.
It’s important if you’re working with moisture-damaged subflooring to simultaneously find and repair the source of the moisture, then replace the damaged area of the subfloor.
| Subfloor Material | Average Cost to Replace |
|---|---|
| Plywood | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Oriented Strand Board (OSB) | $1.40 – $3 |
| Underlayment | $0.50 – $1 |
Surface Floor Covering
The floor covering is the part of the floor you walk on. It rests on top of the subfloor (or the underlayment depending on your floor’s structure). Most homeowners spend $200 to $800 on floor covering repairs, while a replacement costs anywhere from $800 to $7,000.
Vinyl and laminate flooring are two of the most popular options for mobile homes, but you’ll also find luxury materials like hardwood or bamboo, which increase costs. Some homeowners also add an epoxy floor coating to protect their flooring and increase shine. This, again, comes with an extra cost.
Labor
Most flooring contractors charge $25 to $40 per hour for their labor, though you could spend as much as $120 per hour if you live in an area with a high cost of living.
Since certain repairs take more time than others, you can end up spending quite a bit more on labor depending on the job. For example, it can take five to 24 hours to repair floor joists, while it may only take two or three hours to repair laminate floors by swapping out a few planks.
Cost to Repair or Replace Mobile Flooring by Material
Mobile home floor repair costs depend on the type of material. You can’t repair all materials or all types of damage, so you may need to replace some or all of your floor. For example, you’ll generally need to replace damaged laminate or LVP (luxury vinyl planking) because the materials don’t allow for refinishing, whereas you can refinish a hardwood floor with surface damage. These nuances impact the overall costs.
| Flooring Material | Average Cost to Repair | Average Cost to Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $350 – $1,600 | $1,500 – $4,600 |
| Vinyl or Linoleum | $200 – $1,850 | $950 – $3,650 |
| Wood | $450 – $1,500 | $2,500 – $6,800 |
| Tile | $275 – $670 | $900 – $3,000 |
| Carpet | $130 – $300 | $800 – $2,800 |
Laminate
Most homeowners spend $350 to $1,600 on laminate floor repairs. Because laminate floors click and lock into place, it’s typically easier to repair by replacing individual damaged planks. If you need to replace your whole floor, expect to spend $1,500 to $4,600.
Vinyl or Linoleum
Expect to spend $200 to $1,850 to repair vinyl or linoleum flooring and $950 to $3,650 to replace it. You can typically repair these materials by peeling up or cutting out damaged sections and replacing them. It depends on the type since you can buy sheets, planks, or tiles.
Linoleum and vinyl may look similar, but they’re two separate products. Vinyl is affordable and 100% waterproof because it’s mostly made from plastic. Linoleum is made from natural materials, which makes it more durable but also more costly.
Wood
Most homeowners spend $450 to $1,500 repairing hardwood floors in their mobile home. It depends on the type of damage, but you can typically fix a scratch or dent with a DIY kit for less than $20. Replacement, on the other hand, usually costs between $2,500 and $6,800.
Most homeowners don’t need to replace their wood flooring unless it has water damage, rotting, or significant warping. You can typically refinish it for a fraction of the cost. If you hire a pro, the cost to refinish hardwood floors is usually between $3 and $8 per square foot.
Tile
Expect to spend $275 to $650 to repair tile floors and $900 to $3,000 to replace tile floors. Tile is one of the most expensive floors to install because there’s a lot of labor involved. For this reason, replacements can get pretty costly, but you can often repair a tile floor by replacing damaged tiles and re-grouting the area.
Carpet
Expect to spend $130 to $300 on minor carpet repairs. You can hire a professional carpet cleaner for an average of $180 to take care of tough stains. But you generally can’t repair burned carpet or carpet with water damage; your contractor will need to rip up the carpet and replace it. This typically costs $800 to $2,800.
Signs You Should Replace vs. Repair Mobile Home Floors
Your floor will typically show some signs before you need to replace it. It does depend on the floor type. In general, you can typically repair surface damage like scratches or small dents in hardwood floors. You may be able to repair tented tile or resurface damaged tile (at the very least, you can replace only the damaged tiles). You can also usually repair subfloor-related problems like creaking.
That said, you’ll typically need to replace damaged vinyl, linoleum, or laminate. You usually can’t refinish these materials, and even if you can, it’s usually more cost-effective to replace the damaged plank, tile, or sheet. Beyond that, the type of damage that calls for a replacement is often significant—like deep cracks, water damage, cupping, and rotting. Here are some signs you may need a replacement:
Dry rot or mold
Warping from water damage
Cupping or sunken flooring
Gaps between planks
Cracking or popping tiles
Loose sections of flooring
Unusually squeaky floorboards
Significant damage to a surface you can’t refinish
UV discoloration
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Mobile Home Floors Yourself?
If you do the job DIY, you’ll only need to spring for the cost of materials. This includes replacement planks, tiles, or boards. Most homeowners can make small surface repairs for less than $100 with a DIY kit, sander, and stain remover.
Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to hire a pro for larger structural repairs or extensive replacements. This is especially true if you have experienced a burst pipe or flooding, which could seriously compromise the structural integrity of your floor and lead to a whole wealth of costly issues. A contractor won’t just fix your floors swiftly; they’ll fix them safely.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Tackling your mobile home repair work will definitely save you labor costs, assuming you don’t need to retain the services of an assistant or subcontractor (or bribe your friend with pizza). Labor for this type of repair and construction work averages between $25 and $40 per hour nationally. You can expect to spend anywhere from two to four hours for small patches and much longer for more substantial repairs or replacements.
It’s important to weigh costs with your skillset. A botched DIY repair can create problems that are more expensive to fix than the original issue. Unless you’re experienced, it’s usually best to hire a floor repair company near you.
Tips to Save Money on Mobile Home Floor Repairs or Replacement
Tired of looking at damaged floors in your mobile home but don’t have the budget for repairs? There are a few ways you can cut down repair costs.
If you need a replacement, choose affordable materials: If you don’t have the budget to replace your hardwood floors, try going for a more affordable laminate.
Do some of the work DIY: Most homeowners can do some repair work DIY. If you only have small scratches, a wood touch-up pen with some putty may be an affordable solution. You can also remove materials DIY to prep your space for a replacement (think: ripping up your carpet so your contractor doesn’t have to).
Get at least three quotes: Understanding local prices can help you find the best deal. Often, if a contractor quotes an usually low rate, there’s a reason. Don’t be afraid to ask about quotes that seem off.
Annie Sisk contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Homeowners insurance usually covers subfloor replacement, but only if the damage comes from a source listed in your policy. For example, your policy may cover water damage from a burst pipe or leaking water heater but not from a flood. Certain upgraded policies offer more coverage, so make sure you read the fine print.
Plywood is typically the best type of subfloor for a mobile home, though if you’re installing flooring in a bathroom, you may want to install a vapor barrier or use a moisture-proof subfloor material like Amdry. OBS is similar, but it can swell when moisture is present.
Either way, old mobile home subflooring made from particleboard can cause issues with your joints. If you’re replacing your subfloor, it’s best to upgrade to plywood.
Vinyl or linoleum are typically the most affordable types of flooring for a mobile home. The material costs $3 to $7 per square foot—or half as much as hardwood and slightly less than laminate.
Overall, vinyl isn’t as durable as linoleum, but it performs best in areas with high levels of moisture. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury flooring tile (LVT) has added durability with just a slightly higher price tag.