Feb 19, 2021 Vinyl flooring installation typically takes between 1-2 days to complete. Some types of vinyl flooring, such as plank and tile, need a few days to acclimate to the temperature and humidity in your home prior to the installation. This process prevents expanding and contracting after the flooring is installed. We offer flooring installation cost guides for all of our flooring installation services, including tile, laminate, vinyl, hardwood and carpet. For more information about each of our flooring installation services, you can also visit our service pages linked at the top of this page.

The average cost of new flooring installation is $6 to $10 per square foot with some homeowners spending as little as $3 or as high as $18 per square foot depending on the materials chosen. For a medium-sized living room of 330 square feet, you can expect to pay between $1,660–$4,620 for installation and materials. Get free estimates from flooring companies near you.

Flooring Installation Cost

The average cost of new flooring installation is $6 to $10 per square foot with some homeowners spending as little as $3 or as high as $18 per square foot depending on the materials chosen. For a medium-sized living room of 330 square feet, you can expect to pay between $1,660–$4,620 for installation and materials.

**Average Cost To Install Flooring**
Flooring Material	Cost Per Square Foot
Engineered Wood	$6 – $20
Hardwood	$10 – $18
Laminate	$6 – $9
Vinyl or Linoleum	$3 – $10
Carpet	$1 – $3
Ceramic Tile	$2.50 – $3
Porcelain Tile	$3 – $10
Polished Concrete	$3 – $15

Flooring Cost Per Square Foot

The flooring in your home is a large part of its value. It won’t pay to go cheap, but you also need to keep in mind the bottom line of your budget. While cost will factor as a big part of your final choice, you’ll choose your flooring based on your local climate, dirt attraction, foot traffic, pets, and the use of the rooms where you want the flooring. Here are the average flooring installation costs by square foot:

**Flooring Cost Per Square Foot**
Flooring Installation	Cost Per Square Foot
National Average Cost	$8
Minimum Cost	$3
Maximum Cost	$18
Average Range	$6to$10

You may also be interested in eco-friendly options. The average cost between all flooring options is $8/sqft, but your final cost will depend greatly on which flooring option you choose. Each type of flooring requires a different method of installation and a knowledgeable flooring contractor.

Flooring Cost Calculator

The price for installing any kind of floor is based on square footage. Also, the materials you order will be based on square footage, and the installer will give you a price for labor based on square footage plus 10% for fitting and waste. Flooring that must be trimmed to accommodate floor registers, stairs, pipes, corners, or alcoves will incur waste. Here's how to calculate your room size:

Measure the width and length of the floor.
Multiply the width by the length. For example, if the room is 8’ x 10’, the square footage will be 80 square feet.
Multiply the total square footage by the cost of material you choose

Flooring Cost Estimator

New Floor Installation

A 330 sqft living room plus a 20’ x 2’ hallway (40 sqft) in engineered wood:

= 370 sqft x $6–$20

= $2,220–$7,400

Flooring Material	Average 330 Sqft. Living Room
Engineered Wood	$1,980 – $6,600
Hardwood	$3,300 – $5,940
Laminate	$1,980 – $2,970
Vinyl or Linoleum	$990 – $3,300
Carpet	$330 – $990
Ceramic Tile	$825 – $990
Porcelain Tile	$990 – $3,300

Wood Flooring Cost

The average cost to install wood flooring is between $8 and $16 per square foot depending on the type. The cost of installing hardwood floors in a 330-square foot living room is between $2,640 and $5,280 with the average homeowner paying $3,960.

Wood flooring provides a feeling of warmth in a room. A popular choice, they are easy to decorate around, since wood colors are considered neutral and pleasing to the eye. You can either use solid wood or engineered wood, which is a layer of your preferred wood (a veneer) over 5–7 sheets of plywood. The engineered wood is less costly than the solid version of preferred wood and a common economical alternative to solid wood. The thickness of solid wood floors ranges from 3/4” to 5/16”.

Engineered wood $6–$20 – Engineered wood with a float installation is $6–$20 per square foot. The cost depends on the thickness of the surface veneer. Floating is the most common installation method and involves attaching or clicking the panels, which blocks out moisture.
Solid wood $10–$18 – Solid wood (nailed or glued) is $10–$18 per square foot installed. The average labor cost for installing hardwood floors is $37/hour plus the contractor’s 15%–20% fee.

Cost Factors

Removal and disposal of the old floor (Having your contractor dispose of your old flooring material can be a great help.)
Replacement of subfloor
Labor and extra wood—small spaces with intricate corners/angles, floor registers, staircases take more time
Moving furniture (do this yourself and save money)
Your location. You’ll pay more if you live out of town than if you live in the middle of the city.
Installation materials—glue or nails

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy to maintain
Value – it’s considered an upgrade when buying a home
Available in many different types of wood
Design – can be laid straight in planks, square tiles, parquet, or any number of creative patterns
Real wood can last for many decades

Cons

Will need to be sanded and refinished from time to time
Can be noisy with a lot of traffic or children playing
It is more costly than alternative floors—laminate, vinyl, etc.
Quickly absorbs moisture and can warp.
The top layer of some engineered wood is so thin, you can’t sand it down.

Hardwood Flooring Cost

The most common woods used for flooring are chosen for their overall durability, their grain, and their ability to fit with the general decorating theme for the room.

Wood Type	Cost Per Square Foot	Grain / Shade
Bamboo	$2–$4	Interesting patterns; Pale to natural-brown
Brazilian Walnut	$5–$9	Usually a straight, open grain; Mid to rich deep brown
Pine	$2–$4	Rustic knots; Natural reddish brown
Hickory	$3–$6	Medium grain; Mid-tone, rustic appearance
Maple	$3–$6	Very subtle grain; Natural creamy color
Red Oak	$2–$6	Mid to heavy grain; Light pinks to brown
White Ash	$5–$6	Fine grained; Soft tan to pale gray

Options & Styles

More than fifty species of wood are available for your home flooring in a variety of shades. For a light shade with an open, airy look, choose maple, pine, or ash. For a medium shade with warmth, choose oak, hickory, or bamboo. For a dark shade giving a formal look, install walnut or mahogany.

How the wood is finished will add to the style of the room.

A gloss finish is shiny. While quite beautiful, every scratch will show. If you have a busy household with kids and pets, this may not

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