What’s The Cost of Installing Laminate Flooring?

Key Factors That Influence The Total Cost of Laminate Flooring

From the square footage of your project to the type of underlayment chosen, several key factors come into play when estimating the total cost of laminate flooring.

Just like a perfectly balanced recipe, each ingredient contributes to the final taste—or, in this case, the final price tag.

The ingredients are as follows:

• Laminate cost: usually ranging from $1 to $5 per square foot.
• Labor cost: usually between $2 and $8 per square foot.
• Additional material costs: underlayment for moisture control and sound insulation (costs 30 to 60 cents per square foot) and transition strips and moldings (up to $20 per strip).
• Hidden costs: removal and disposal of old flooring (between $1 and $2 per square foot), furniture moving (could exceed $50 per room), and subfloor repair or leveling (from $200 to over $1,000).

Tips to reduce the total costs: remove old flooring yourself, move furniture on your own, use holiday discounts, or subscribe to your favorite online store’s newsletter for private discounts.

In general, you can expect to pay 4$ to 13$ per square foot for both materials and labor.

Cost of Labor To Install Laminate

Ah, the classic “I’ve got the materials; now how much for the magic hands?” question! The labor cost for installing laminate flooring can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, like your location, the complexity of the job, and the experience level of the installer.
Generally speaking, in the U.S., you might expect labor costs to range from about $2 to $8 per square foot.

The final cost, however, will depend on several factors. The size of the space, the quality of the laminate, and even where you live may all raise or lower your final expense. If you’re in a big city or an area with a high cost of living, prices might be on the higher end. On the flip side, in smaller towns or areas with a lower cost of living, you might get a better deal.

Remember, though, that you often get what you pay for. An experienced installer might charge more, but they’ll likely do the job faster and with fewer hiccups. If your space has a lot of tricky cuts, odd angles, or the removal of old floors is also needed, those are all factors that can bump up the cost too.

It’s always a good idea to get a few quotes from local installers. And don’t be shy about asking for references or photos of previous work—it’s like checking the reviews before buying any new product!

What You Need To Answer When Talking To Professionals (What They Can Ask)

Questions the installer may ask you:

• In what areas do you want to install laminate? Just the living room, or are we giving the whole house a makeover?
• What kind of flooring do you already have?
• Tell us about the condition of your subfloor. Are there any creaks, groans, or uneven spots we should know about?
• Are there any areas that are prone to moisture or spills? (Usually kitchen or basement)
• Have you already decided on the style or color preferences for your laminate? Or are we matching new flooring with your existing décor?
• Do you have a specific timeline in mind? And when can we swing by and take a look?

Questions You Should Prepare (What You Can Ask Them)

These are examples of questions you can ask your potential installer:

• Can you walk me through the cost breakdown of this project? What would be the estimated cost before we started?
• Can you tell me more about the installation process? How long will my space be a no-fly zone? How many hours does it take before I can step on my new flooring?
• Should we talk about underlayment, trims, and transitions? And what type do you recommend?
• What kind of warranty do I have for the flooring and installation work you provide? Are there any pro tips for keeping my new laminate looking top-notch?
• Can you show me any photos or references to your previous installations?
• What’s going to happen to my current flooring after it is removed? Are you going to get rid of it, and is there an extra cost for that?
• Are we getting a laminate brand that is safe for me, my family, and my pets?

Examples of Different Labor Pricing?

What if you recently built a new house and your room is nice and square and all you need is some new laminate to be installed? Those would be ideal conditions, where it’s a straightforward job with a new building, a square room, and just a concrete base ready and waiting for laminate. You’re likely looking at the lower end of the typical labor cost range. So, think in the range of $2 to $4 per square foot for the installation labor.

And here’s why it’s on the lower end:

• Ease of installation: A square room without any complex cuts or tricky obstacles is a dream scenario for an installer. It’s quicker and less labor-intensive.
• No removal of old flooring: Since it’s a new build, there’s no time-consuming removal of old flooring, which saves labor.
• Prepared subfloor: A clean, even concrete base is ideal for laying laminate. It means less prep work, which is always a time (and money) saver.

Now to give you another example, if you have a room that’s, say, 200 square feet, you’re potentially looking at a labor cost of around $400 to $800, give or take. It’s always good to get a couple of quotes, so you can see where your local rates sit within that range.

Please keep in mind that these are ballpark figures and scenarios. It’s always best to get a detailed, written quote from your flooring professional after they’ve had a chance to assess your specific project in person. And hey, don’t be shy about asking for a bit of wiggle room on the price—it never hurts to negotiate a tad, especially on larger projects!

Different Ways of Installing Laminate & How They Compare Cost-Wise

Installing laminate as a floating floor (cheapest)

What is a floating floor, exactly? It’s any floor that isn’t attached to a subfloor; rather, it “floats” on top of it. Generally, this means click-together flooring—in other words, planks that snap together with tightly locking grooves.

This method is the least expensive when it comes to laminate flooring installation costs since it’s the quickest and requires no extra supplies or expertise. These surfaces are some of the easiest to install, in general.

You can expect to pay (very roughly) $1.50 to $3 per square foot for labor when you opt for a floating setup.

Installing laminate as a glue-down floor (more expensive)

There’s no mystery about how glue-down laminate flooring works. You glue it directly to the subfloor, just like you do with glue-down vinyl plank flooring or glue-down hardwood flooring.

This eliminates some of the traditional disadvantages of floating floors, like hollow-sounding footsteps. That said, it can take longer to install and requires more expertise, meaning the cost of installing this laminate flooring is going to be a bit higher.

You can expect to pay (very roughly) $3 to $6 per square foot for labor when you opt for a glue-down setup.

Installing laminate as a nail-down or staple-down floor (it depends)

This installation method isn’t particularly common anymore, especially since click-together laminate has become so popular. With that in mind, the cost will fluctuate a good amount, contractor-by-contractor.

How Long Does It Take For A Professional To Install Laminate Flooring?

You can usually expect one room to take under a day. A complex space may add time to the process. If your room has a lot of odd angles, the installer will need to take more time to measure and cut planks to size. Tight spaces and subflooring that’s in bad shape will also add time to the project.

How About a Laminate Flooring DIY?

For those of you DIY lovers out there, installing laminate can be a fun and creative but also a money-saving experience. Research, make a definite plan before starting, and take into account different types of installation, as we talked about in this article.

The good thing about DIY laminate flooring is that you can invest in some higher-quality laminate materials by saving money on labor costs. It can prove to be a win-win situation if you are on a limited budget but want to invest in some premium-quality laminate. There are many laminate brands out there that offer amazing prices without sacrificing quality.

Conclusion

We hope this article has provided you with enough information to pursue any ideas you have for your new laminate flooring. Laminate is one of the most cost-effective flooring options for a reason, and installing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive if you know how to ask the right questions and hire reliable installers. 

But remember, It’s never just about the cost of things; it’s about creating a space that feels like home. Sure, keeping an eye on the budget is important, but it’s the laughter of a family gathering or the quiet comfort of a cozy evening that truly reflects the value of your investment. 

So, as you take this final step towards transforming your space, remember that every penny spent is building not just a floor but a foundation of memories. Let’s not just install laminate; let’s lay the groundwork for life’s precious moments, one plank at a time.