The cost to install laminate flooring is $2,990 on average, but it ranges between $1,472 and $4,644 depending on the type you choose.
Laminate flooring installation costs between $1,472 and $4,644, with an average of $2,990, depending on the type of laminate, the size of the space, and more. Installing laminate flooring can be an affordable way to refresh your home and cut down on maintenance while achieving a look and feel similar to that of more expensive hardwood floors.
There are some costs that you will most likely see from any contractor who gives you an estimate for laminate flooring installation, including but not limited to:
Laminate flooring installation costs $3 to $13 per square foot on average, depending on the materials, the complexity of the project, and any additional tasks required, such as repairing the subfloor. The previous quote reflects labor. For the materials only, laminate flooring costs $1 to $5 per square foot, though this price increases with laminate made from specialized materials or featuring unique patterns and designs. Add-ons like scratch-resistant coatings also increase the overall price per square foot.
Here are common laminate flooring types and their costs for materials only. Note that none of these laminate types are made from real wood, tile, or stone. Rather, the laminate flooring mimics the look of real wood, tile, and stone.
The possibilities are seemingly endless because the design is printed onto the image layer of the laminate flooring.
| Laminate Type | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | $1–$3.75 | Maintains visual appeal of natural hardwood |
| Tile | $1.50–$4.75 | Many design options available |
| Stone | $1.75–$4.75 | Easy to clean and maintain |
You can get laminate flooring that ranges between 6 millimeters and 12 millimeters in thickness. The thickness you choose will depend on your subfloor and underlayment. Generally, 8 millimeters is a good option for most installations, assuming that it’s properly installed on a well-maintained subfloor.
As a note, while thicker flooring tends to be more durable, you should also check the AC rating of the materials. The AC rating will tell you how durable the flooring is and will give you a better idea of where you can install it. The rating is numerical between AC1 through AC6, with AC1 being for moderate residential use and AC6 for heavy commercial use.
| Thickness (Millimeters) | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| 6 | $0.70–$1 |
| 7 | $0.90–$1 |
| 8 | $1–$1.80 |
| 10 | $2–$4 |
| 12 | $2.30–$6 |
Your flooring finish type will really impact the visual aesthetic of your room. Plus, different finishes are more resistant to daily wear and tear. For example, glossy laminate floors tend to scratch and mark easily so they’re best for low-traffic areas that you regularly clean.
On the other hand, scratches and marks don’t show up as much on semi-matte or matte flooring. These two finish types are also popular for wood laminate flooring since they most closely resemble the appearance of real wood.
| Laminate Type | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Matte | $1–$4.40 |
| Semi-matte | $1–$4 |
| Glossy | $1.70–$5.60 |
The type of laminate flooring you choose will dictate the installation method you’ll need to use.
| Type | Cost per Square Foot | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Click-lock | $5–$9 | DIY friendly, fast, clicks together |
| Glued laminate | $7–$11 | Requires a pro installer, more durable |
Labor accounts for 20% to 50% of your overall project cost, depending on expertise and job complexity. Professional floor installers charge $2 to $8 per square foot to put in laminate flooring, and this price includes the rolling out and taping down of underlayment in addition to the laminate itself. Removing carpet and any other pre-existing flooring necessitates an average hourly rate of $70. It typically takes a seasoned pro a full day of work to remove 200 square feet of carpeting or flooring, adding up to $500 to $600, depending on the hourly rate.
As mentioned above, one reason homeowners choose laminate flooring is because it can mimic the look of hardwood, tile, and stone flooring without the high price tag and maintenance requirements. In addition to the printed layer that beautifully recreates wood, tile, or stone materials, these laminate planks can have imprinted textures or finishes that help them mimic different materials.
If a remodeling job has unexpected expenses, switching to laminate is a great way to stay on budget. It looks very good and is easy to replace down the road.
Here are the different laminate flooring materials and their costs per square foot installed.
| Laminate Type | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Tile | $3–$13 |
| Stone | $3.50–$13 |
| Maple | $2–$6 |
| Red or white oak | $2–$6 |
| Cherry | $3–$7 |
| Acacia | $3–$7 |
| Beech | $3–$7 |
| Walnut | $3–$7 |
| Hickory | $4–$10 |
The base estimate is primarily focused on materials and labor, but there are a few other factors worth considering when pricing out any laminate flooring job.
| Additional Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Removing old flooring | $400–$600 for 200 square feet |
| Subfloor repair or replacement | $400 for 200 square feet |
| Underlay | $30–$60 per roll of 100 square feet |
| Moving furniture | $20–$50 per room |
When installing new flooring over existing, be sure to first check to see if doors can freely swing over the higher floor. If there are several doors that need to be planed or trimmed, it might cost less to remove the old flooring.
Laminate flooring is one of the easiest flooring materials to install and can be placed over pre-existing flooring, removing a step for amateur DIYers. Taking labor out of the equation removes 20% to 50% of the total cost, lowering the price to $800 to $3,500. The primary cost factors include materials, but you also need plenty of tools, like a miter saw and floor scraper, among others. There is also the time commitment. Count on spending two to five days to successfully install laminate flooring by yourself.
Thanks to click-lock designs, installing laminate flooring in an average-sized room is certainly doable for amateurs, even those without extensive experience. However, this assumes a hurdle-free job with laminate placed over pre-existing flooring. Once you get into stairs, complex materials, and any unforeseen issues, such as damaged subfloors, it is best to contact a laminate flooring installer near you. Expert installers ensure measurements are conducted correctly the first time, in addition to handling and issues as they pop up (and they always pop up).
When ordering flooring materials, first measure the square footage of the floor space. You may need to add an extra 10% for wastage during the installation process. A flooring pro can provide guidance for more challenging layouts or stairs.
There are pros and cons to installing laminate flooring in your home. Here’s everything you need to make a final decision, especially if you’re debating installing laminate versus hardwood.
Budget-friendly: Laminate is one of the most inexpensive flooring types, much cheaper than hardwood. Laminate flooring costs $3 to $13 per square foot, and hardwood flooring installation costs $6 to $25 per square foot.
Design options: This material has come a long way, so the aesthetic options are nearly infinite.
Durable: Laminate can resist scratches, stains, and even impact from items like furniture.
Easy to clean and install: Cleaning laminate is less involved than cleaning hardwood. As a bonus, it’s also fairly easy to install.
Can’t be refinished: Due to the nature of the material, laminate cannot be sanded or refinished like other flooring materials. It must be replaced when damaged.
Doesn’t resist moisture: Though laminate is durable, it can succumb to excessive moisture. If left exposed, the material will eventually swell. This makes it a no-go for bathrooms.
Noisy: This material is rigid and is typically installed directly on the subfloor. This means it makes a whole lot of noise when people walk over it.
Putting in new flooring, no matter the type, is a costly enterprise. However, there are some ways to help you save money while still ensuring the job gets done right.
DIY the small stuff: There are some easy things to do on your own to cut down on that hourly contractor rate. Move furniture to a room that is not getting new flooring. Prepare the subfloor by removing glue, nails, and anything else. Remove the baseboards ahead of time. All of this stuff combines to save at least two hours of labor, which is $140.
Remove the old flooring yourself: On a similar note, remove the old flooring yourself to save even more money. This is a relatively simple task. It is easier to destroy, after all, than to create. Remember to tell your pro you are doing it yourself and check the final invoice to make sure it was not accidentally tacked on.
Research, research, research: There is no such thing as too much research when hiring a flooring contractor. Find a budget-friendly company near you with plenty of positive reviews.
Gather many estimates: It is generally a good idea to gather a few quotes before settling on a contractor. This allows you to comparison shop and puts you in a better position to strike a bargain. Start with three estimates and move on from there.
Remember the seasons: As previously mentioned, fall is the most expensive time to take on any home improvement project, including floor installations. Prices start dropping after the holidays, right at the end of winter.
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Abrasion ratings or Abrasion Class (AC) ratings for laminate flooring are a standardized construction industry system that classifies types of laminate flooring by durability and how well they stand up to everyday usage and traffic. Keep in mind that AC rating is just durability, not overall quality. In terms of cost, the higher the AC rating, the more expensive the laminate materials will likely be. Abrasion ratings run from AC1 to AC5, and cost between $1 and $3.50 per square foot.
One reason that laminate flooring has grown in popularity is that it can be installed on top of some kinds of existing flooring, therefore saving money and time. However, do not install laminate flooring over carpet since it may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Plus, carpet is often too plush and soft to properly support a laminate flooring system.
It is less expensive to install carpeting, with an average cost of $1,760. However, up-front material and labor costs are not the only considerations here. Laminate flooring boasts twice the lifespan of carpeting and is considered to be the wiser investment from an ROI standpoint. After all, you can lay down a rug or carpeting over the flooring, but the reverse is not true.
New flooring can add value to your home in general, but it depends on the type of laminate installed and what type of flooring was in place before. Adding laminate over natural materials like hardwood or ceramic may be detrimental, especially since you can't refinish laminate like hardwood. But new laminate will add value if your old flooring was vinyl, linoleum, or worn-out carpet—especially if it's high quality and looks like natural wood or stone. Homebuyers generally prefer laminate flooring in kitchens and in other high-traffic rooms like bathrooms versus living rooms and bedrooms.
