The average homeowner spends $1,250 on laminate floor repair costs. Depending on the type of damage, most spend between $394 and $2,117.
Laminate flooring is relatively affordable and highly durable, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to damage. The average laminate floor repair cost is $1,250. It can cost as low as $150 or more than $5,000 if you need a partial replacement. Scuffs and scratches happen, especially if you have children and pets who are prone to turning your living room into a DIY racetrack.
Though laminate flooring is sturdy, moisture tends to be its weak spot; something as small as a spilled cup of water could cause warped planks if you don’t wipe it up quickly. In that case, replacement is the only option. Here’s how the costs break down for laminate floor repairs.
You may notice on your bill that the flooring company hasn’t itemized the cost of removing your damaged planks. Since most laminate flooring repairs require a replacement, removing the old flooring usually appears in the estimate. Nonetheless, all projects have a similar cost breakdown.
Laminate mimics the look of natural materials like hardwood flooring at an affordable price. That price is determined by the type of material, texture, finish, and abrasion coefficient rating (or AC rating). The AC rating measures durability and stain resistance, with higher levels having higher durability.
Expect to pay more to replace:
High-end imitations like hickory vs. common imitations like maple or oak
Textured laminate vs. smooth laminate
Glossy laminate vs. matte or semi-matte finishes
Laminate with a higher AC rating
Though you’ll pay more upfront to replace laminate with a high AC rating, you’ll spend less on repairs because it’s more durable. The same goes for glossy finishes and textured planks, which show fewer minor imperfections.
The type of repair is the largest cost factor. You’ll spend less on a minor repair (like fixing a scratch or tiny gouge) than a larger repair (like replacing subflooring and fixing laminate with severe water damage).
Labor is often one of the highest laminate flooring costs because the actual material is relatively inexpensive. Local flooring contractors typically charge between $0.60 and $4.00 per square foot for their labor. In other words, if you’re replacing a 100-square-foot section of flood-damaged laminate, you could pay upwards of $400 just for labor.
You can repair laminate in a few different ways—it all depends on the actual problem. Any issue that causes problems with the underlayment and subfloor usually comes with a higher repair cost. Here are some common prices.
If you have tiny scratches or gouges, they can sometimes be covered with a furniture marker or filled with wax filler. You can purchase a DIY repair kit for less than $20 at your local hardware store and fix small scratches and gouges in your laminate floor. A professional fix will typically cost $100 to $300.
If your laminate flooring has deep cuts, cracks, or water damage, you’ll need to replace the damaged planks. This usually costs more than $300, but it depends on how many planks need replacing and if you can easily remove the laminate. On average, removing and replacing damaged planks will cost about $3 to $11 per square foot.
If your boards are warped or loose, you’ll need to redo the layout of your floor. This requires a professional flooring contractor who will open up the floor and repair the subfloor or underlayment if necessary. Redoing spacing usually costs $300 to $1,200.
It typically costs between $75 and $300 to fix squeaky laminate floors. Squeaking is a common problem due to issues with the subfloor, underlayment, or moisture. You can put talcum powder on the joints for a quick DIY fix. To solve the actual issue, your contractor will typically use construction adhesive or screw down the offending pieces.
If your laminate floor starts bubbling, that’s a clear sign of water damage. Sometimes you can burst the bubble and glue the veneer down. This low-cost, DIY fix doesn’t always provide the best long-term results. For larger bubbles, you’ll need to replace the damaged tiles or planks, which costs $3 to $11 per square foot.
It typically costs $250 to $750 to repair a laminate floor that’s started cupping. If your floor has an issue with cupping, you may notice planks sinking in the middle and peeling on the edges. This usually signals an issue with moisture, and most of the time, you’ll need to replace the cupped tiles or planks.
If you’re hiring a laminate floor cleaning company near you, expect to spend between $75 and $300 to get rid of surface stains. The cost depends on how hard it is to remove the stain. Large stains will take more time and rack up more labor costs. In some cases, you can’t buff or clean stains; you can only remove and replace the laminate, which is more costly.
| Repair Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Scratch or gouge | $100 – $300 |
| Plank replacement | $3 – $11 per square foot |
| Spacing | $300 – $1,200 |
| Squeaky floor | $75 – $300 |
| Floor bubbles | $3 – $11 per square foot |
| Cupping | $250 – $750 |
| Stains | $75 – $300 |
Laminate flooring isn’t just the laminate. There are other parts, like subflooring, underlayment, or even the thresholds in your doorways, that you’ll have to consider. When you repair your floor, you may need to repair these other parts or simply want to tack on additional jobs. Here are some extra costs to consider.
| Additional Factor | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Threshold replacement | $100 – $250 |
| Laminate painting | $250 – $450 |
| Subfloor replacement | $1 – $7 per square foot |
| Underlayment replacement | $0.29 – $0.79 per square foot |
| Maintenance | $75 – $175 |
For most homeowners, the cost to replace a threshold is between $100 and $250.Thresholds cover transitional areas like doorways are typically subject to heavy foot traffic. Over time, this can damage the laminate, and you’ll need to replace it.
Most homeowners spend between $250 and $450 to paint laminate flooring in a standard 200-square-foot room. It depends on the size of the floor and the paint you use, but it’s a great way to save money if your floor is stained or scuffed and you don’t want to spring for a replacement.
Repairing or replacing subfloors costs $1 to $7 per square foot, excluding labor, and most homeowners spend between $500 and $720. You’ll usually see plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) subfloors, and all laminate flooring has a subfloor. You may need to replace subfloors if you notice warping, water damage, or squeaky floors.
Laminate flooring requires an underlayment, which you might have to replace if there’s significant water damage. The underlayment helps support the floor, provides stability, and reduces noise. For the underlayment alone, expect to spend $0.29 to $0.79 per square foot. Labor costs depend on your contractor’s hourly price.
Most of the time, laminate does come with a warranty—whether it’s from the manufacturer or offered by your contractor. Your warranty may cover certain damages or dictate how you can make repairs; for example, DIY repairs may void your warranty. Check your plan before you start.
Once you have laminate floors, you’ll need to maintain them. If you don’t want to clean your laminate floors on your own, a professional cleaner generally costs $75 to $175 per visit, though costs can rise depending on the size of your home and location. It’s also a good idea to fix problems as they appear rather than let them progress to the point that you need to replace your floor. Factor these longer-term costs into your budget.
Homeowners who DIY their laminate floor repairs save on labor but can spend more money in the long run if mistakes are made. It may seem simple to swap out a plank from a click-and-lock style laminate floorboard, but even just a small gap between laminate planks can harbor moisture that will ruin your laminate, underlayment, and subfloor. Down the line, you might be in store for an expensive replacement.
That said, making minor repairs with a DIY kit can cost less than $20. The hardest part is matching the color of the marker or wax with your laminate.
Professional labor typically adds $0.60 to $4.00 per square foot (or $25 to $30 per hour) to your project. Without a pro, most homeowners can make smaller DIY repairs, like waxing over scratches and cleaning stains. For anything larger, it’s best to hire a laminate flooring repair company in your area—especially if you aren’t familiar with laminate floor replacement.
Laminate is extremely durable, but it does have some weaknesses. Mainly, it’s prone to water damage and minor scratches. These tips can help you extend the lifespan of your laminate and save on repair costs.
The best way to save on laminate floor repair is prevention. Put down rugs and carpets in high-traffic areas to avoid scratching the floor. Slip off high heels, boots, and heavier footwear. If you have to move furniture, lift instead of drag.
Sometimes, there is use crying over spilled milk. Even a small spill can cause laminate flooring to bubble and warp. To prevent water damage, clean up spills as soon as they happen. You can also use a dehumidifier to lower your home’s overall humidity and remove moisture that might have leaked into the subfloor or underlayment.
A laminate touch-up kit is a great tool for fixing minor scratches, gouges, and marks. These kits typically include colored wax that should match the color of your laminate. They cost less than$20, which is much less than a pro.
If your laminate floor is looking worse for wear but your subfloor and underlayment are in good condition, consider hiring a local painter to paint the laminate. This can hide discoloration and certain minor imperfections, and it costs much less than replacing all of the planks or tiles.
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Laminate is a sturdy material that lasts 15 to 25 years, provided it’s properly maintained and isn’t damaged. Laminate with a higher AC rating (or durability) rating will last longer than laminate with a lower AC rating. For the most longevity, put laminate with an AC1 rating in low-traffic areas and use laminate with an AC3 or AC4 rating in high-traffic areas like entryways.
Laminate isn’t the most forgiving material; you can only repair small scratches and gouges. For this reason, you should purchase a few extra planks when you first lay down your floor, so you don’t have to worry about trying to find a matching plank later down the line.
With wax or furniture markers, you can fix minor gouges and scratches in laminate flooring. Most hardware stores sell DIY kits. Just make sure that your kit matches the color of your laminate.
For more extensive repairs that require plank or tile replacement, you’ll probably want to hire a pro unless you have prior experience. Any installation error, like gaping, can leave your underlayment and subfloor vulnerable to moisture damage, leading to costly repairs down the line.
If water gets under your laminate floors, dry your floor as soon as possible. Water that gets under the laminate planks soaks into the subfloor and can cause mold and warping. In that case, you may need to replace certain materials.
Typically, this starts with just the planks, but if the damage is severe, you’ll need to replace the underlayment and subfloor. Even if you’ve wiped up a spill, it’s a great idea to use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture since it’s hard to tell exactly how much water has seeped beneath the laminate.
