About this calculator
Flooring cost has three components: material (varies wildly by type), underlayment (often required), and installation. This calculator totals them per room with a configurable waste percentage for plank and tile patterns.
Material price ranges (per sq ft)
- Vinyl plank (LVP) — $2–6. Waterproof, easy DIY install, fine for rentals.
- Laminate — $1.50–5. Cheap and durable but not waterproof.
- Engineered hardwood — $4–12. Real wood top layer over plywood. Good for most living spaces.
- Solid hardwood — $6–15. Sand-able multiple times. Heritage-grade.
- Tile (porcelain, ceramic) — $2–10 material, $5–15 install (labor-intensive).
- Natural stone (marble, slate) — $10–40+. Expensive material and install.
- Carpet — $1–8 + pad. Cheap and comfortable; needs replacement every 5–10 years.
Waste planning
Straight-pattern plank or sheet: 7–10% waste. Diagonal layouts, herringbone, or odd-shaped rooms: 12–15%. Large-format tile with random offset: 10–15%. Always order one full extra box for future repairs — dye lots vary and you may not find a match later.
Installation cost factors
DIY-friendly: floating click-lock LVP/laminate (~$0–1/sq ft if you self-install). Glue-down or nail-down hardwood: $3–6/sq ft labor. Tile: $5–15/sq ft, more for intricate patterns. Carpet: $0.50–2/sq ft. Demolition of old flooring is extra ($1–3/sq ft).
The hidden costs
- Subfloor prep — leveling, repair, moisture barrier. $1–3/sq ft.
- Underlayment — required for most floating floors. $0.25–1/sq ft.
- Transitions and trim — quarter-round, T-mold, thresholds. $1–3 per linear foot.
- Disposal — Dumpster rental for ripped-out flooring.