Best Flooring on a Budget

While there is undoubtedly a wide array of flooring options available, many of which aim to provide a touch of luxury or extra comfort, some of us simply need flooring that will get the job done.

This means having a floor that will last a decent amount of time, be reasonably easy to maintain and create an overall comfortable atmosphere in your living space.

While we’re at it, the most important question arises: What flooring options will get the job done at the most reasonable price?

That’s why we are going to inspect the cheapest options on the market, see what they have to offer and compare them with slightly more expensive options and see what you can get for a few bucks more.

Our goal is to find the sweet spot between price and quality, and help you find flooring options that offer the best value for money.

Flooring Price Explained: What’s Covered?

Flooring is one of the most expensive renovation projects. Flooring can cost you between $1,500 and $4,500 with an average price of $3,000 to cover a 500 square foot space.

The cost of your new floor depends on the type of material and the size of the surface. Installing decking is a popular DIY project, but you may need to hire a contractor or flooring company to get the job done safely and correctly. And that affects the price. 

It also increases the cost of the substrate, additional material needed for work, such as removing the old floor and moving furniture.

The material you use is one of the biggest variables affecting the cost of flooring per square foot. Options like laminate, linoleum, or vinyl are more affordable, while hardwood, ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles are more expensive. 

When choosing the right material, it is best to prioritize the functionality and degree of durability that follows the needs of your family.

Which Material Best Suits Your Needs

When choosing a floor for your home, your lifestyle is crucial. Think about each room. What is its purpose, how will you use it, will there be moisture or high frequency. Do you have children or pets and where do they usually stay? 

Consider how the substrate’s temperature affects the overall climate. Warmer substrates can elevate ambient temperatures, while cooler substrates can have a moderating effect. 

Once you’ve thought of all those practical things, balance them with the style you already have in your home through the textures, colors and floor patterns you choose.

Cheap floors cost from $1 – $6 per square foot.

Laminate $0.68 – $2.59 

Wood $3 – $12 

Tile $1 – $3 

Carpet $2.5 – $5

Laminate is a popular choice among less expensive flooring options. Durable, resistant to stains and scratches, easy to maintain, can have a realistic look of more expensive materials like stone or wood. It is easy to install because it is a floating floor and does not need to be glued. 

It is not as durable as vinyl and is not recommended for high humidity bathrooms and kitchens. It will last about 10 years. The cheapest options cost about $0.68, and on average it costs about $2.5 per square foot.

Luxury vinyl is resistant to moisture, wear and scratches. It is suitable if your household is busy, you have small children or pets. It’s actually surprisingly durable for the price. If you choose vinyl, you will get a design that imitates various types of hardwood. 

It comes in planks or tiles that are easy to install. If you maintain it properly, it can last up to 20 years. On average, the price goes from $2 to over $5 per square foot for more luxurious options.

Linoleum is incredibly durable and easy to clean. It is popular for kitchens, bathrooms and other areas of the house with heavy traffic. Easy to clean, comfortable underfoot and easy to install. 

It is flexible, comes in boards or rolls and is easy to install. It can last up to 40 years with proper care.  Pricing starts at around $2 per square foot.

Ceramic tiles aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of inexpensive flooring, but they can be surprisingly inexpensive. They are durable, long-lasting, waterproof, and great for high-traffic areas. You will easily maintain them and the more skilled among you can install them yourself and avoid that expense. 

Prices start as low as $1-$2 per square foot, but can reach up to several hundred dollars. You will pay an average price of $6 – $20 per square foot for tile with installation.

Carpet is a smart choice for your budget. It is a more comfortable and yet cheaper option for flooring. You get better thermal insulation and faster installation than most underlays. Different types of carpets are available. 

The average price starts at $2.50 per square foot, while premium carpets can be found for $12 or more per square foot. If you take care of it, it can last 15 years. 

For the most practical installation, opt for carpet tiles with pre-applied adhesive. These require no additional glue and simply need to be pressed onto the prepared subfloor.

Hardwood is a beautiful natural material worth the investment. It is durable and well-maintained. It is not waterproof but can be treated with a finish that adds durability. The price is influenced by the choice and type of wood. 

The average price per square foot with installation is $10, the lowest is $7, and the highest is $23.

Professional installation or DIY

Price is not the only factor when deciding whether to install the floor yourself or hire a professional. If you have previous experience and the floor itself is not complicated to install, you can decide to install it yourself. That way, you will save money AND work at a pace that suits you. 

But some floors could be above your skill level. If quality, efficiency and carefree use of the floor for many years are important to you, it may be better to hire someone. 

Professional installation will not have the same price. A small business that does the work firsthand will have a different price than a contractor who has recommended you and assigned vendors. Take care of that too.

Professional floor installation costs for some types of subfloors per square foot:

Laminate 1 – 2$ / Wood 3 – 9$ / Tiles 6 – 8$ / Carpet 1 – 3$

If you have decided to install the floor yourself, costs range from $0.5 – $15 per square foot.

Including the cost of materials, installation, underlayment, additional material and the cost of removing the old floor, the average cost for a floor in a 500 square foot residential area is:

Laminate 850 – 2300$ / Wood 3000 – 10500$ / Tiles 3500 – 5500$ / Carpet 1500 – 4000$

Flooring on a Budget? Clever Strategies to Save on Installation

• Remove the old floor yourself before hiring a contractor. That way you can save up to $3.50 per square foot.

• Move the furniture yourself. Together with your friends, free up the room yourself and clear the area for laying the new floor.

• Balance cost and quality of materials. The cheapest floor is an attractive choice, but if it is not of good quality in the long run, you may have new installation costs.

DIY project to save money – plywood boards

Plywood is great for a variety of projects. There are two ways you can use them as a floor. You can remove the old floor AND repair the plywood underneath. You can install new plywood cut into planks over the existing subfloor. With a durable top coat like polyurethane you will get a good AND durable floor.

Conclusion: What Flooring is Best Value for Money

For the best balance of affordability, durability, and looks, consider luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These fall in the mid-range price point, costing $3 to $7 per square foot.

Price: 4/5

Apperance: 5/5

Durability: 4/5

For the absolute lowest price, sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles are unbeatable at $.50 to $2 per square foot. They are easy to install and water-resistant, but may not last as long and have a less attractive look compared to other flooring choices.

Price: 5/5

Apperance: 3/5

Durability: 3/5
From trusted brands, explore our selection of luxury vinyl options designed to meet your specific needs: Proximity Mills, Newton, Doma and Liberty Home.