New flooring costs $3–$22 per square foot installed, depending on material. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) has become the most popular choice for its price-to-quality ratio. Hardwood is still king for resale value. Here's what every type actually costs, room by room.
Quick answer: Carpet is cheapest at $3–$8/sq ft installed. Vinyl plank (LVP) runs $4–$10/sq ft. Hardwood costs $8–$22/sq ft. For a 200 sq ft room, budget $600–$1,600 for LVP or $1,600–$4,400 for hardwood.
| Flooring Type | Installed/Sq Ft |
|---|---|
| Carpet | $3–$8 |
| Sheet vinyl | $3–$7 |
| Laminate | $4–$9 |
| Vinyl plank (LVP) | $4–$10 |
| Engineered hardwood | $6–$15 |
| Ceramic tile | $6–$15 |
| Porcelain tile | $7–$18 |
| Solid hardwood | $8–$22 |
| Natural stone (marble/slate) | $10–$30 |
Installed costs include material, underlayment, and labor. Removal of existing flooring adds $1–$3/sq ft.
| Project | Carpet | LVP |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (12×12) | $430–$1,150 | $580–$1,440 |
| Living room (15×20) | $900–$2,400 | $1,200–$3,000 |
| Kitchen (12×14) | N/A | $670–$1,680 |
| Bathroom (8×10) | N/A | $320–$800 |
| Whole house (1,500 sf) | $4,500–$12,000 | $6,000–$15,000 |
| Whole house (2,500 sf) | $7,500–$20,000 | $10,000–$25,000 |
N/A means that flooring type is not recommended for that room (carpet in kitchens/bathrooms, solid hardwood in bathrooms).
| Item | LVP | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring material | $400–$1,200 | $200–$1,000 |
| Underlayment | $30–$60 | $30–$60 |
| Transition strips | $15–$30 | $15–$30 |
| Spacers | $5–$10 | $5–$10 |
| Adhesive (if glue-down) | $30–$50 | N/A |
| Trim/quarter round | $30–$60 | $30–$60 |
| DIY Total | $510–$1,410 | $280–$1,170 |
LVP and laminate are click-lock floating floors — the easiest DIY flooring install. No nails, no glue for most products.
| Material | Resale Value |
|---|---|
| Carpet | Neutral to negative |
| Laminate | Slightly positive |
| LVP | Positive |
| Engineered hardwood | Very positive |
| Solid hardwood | Most positive |
| Tile | Positive (kitchen/bath) |
| Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (200 sf LVP) | $400–$1,200 | $800–$2,000 |
| Time | 1–2 days (LVP/laminate) | 4–8 hours |
| Easiest to DIY | LVP and laminate (click-lock) | N/A |
| Hardest to DIY | Tile (mortar, cutting) and hardwood (nailing, sanding) | N/A |
| Tools needed | Rubber mallet, pull bar, spacers, saw | Included |
| Risk | Gaps, uneven floor, voided warranty | Warranty on labor |
Flooring material — the biggest variable by far. Carpet and laminate are budget-friendly; solid hardwood and natural stone can cost 5–8× more per square foot.
Room size and layout — larger rooms cost less per square foot (fewer cuts, less waste). Complex layouts with lots of angles, closets, or transitions between rooms increase labor and waste by 10–15%.
Subfloor condition — uneven, damaged, or squeaky subfloors need repair before new flooring goes down. Leveling compounds cost $1–$3/sq ft. Plywood underlayment over concrete adds $1.50–$2.50/sq ft.
Existing flooring removal — pulling up old carpet costs $1–$1.50/sq ft. Removing tile or hardwood runs $2–$4/sq ft. Some LVP/laminate can be installed over existing hard flooring.
Stairs — flooring stairs costs $50–$200 per step installed, regardless of material. It's labor-intensive due to custom cutting for each tread and riser.
Furniture moving — most installers charge $50–$200 to move furniture or require you to clear the room first.
Pattern and direction — diagonal or herringbone patterns create 15–20% more waste than straight lay. This adds both material and labor costs.
Geographic region — installation labor ranges from $2/sq ft in low-cost areas to $5–$8/sq ft in major cities.
Calculate exactly how much flooring material you need with our Flooring Calculator.
Carpet at $3–$8/sq ft installed, or sheet vinyl at $3–$7/sq ft. For hard flooring, laminate is cheapest at $4–$9/sq ft installed. Budget LVP starts around $4/sq ft installed and is more durable than laminate.
LVP wins on price, moisture resistance, and DIY ease. Hardwood wins on resale value, longevity (refinishable for 50–100 years), and feel underfoot. For kitchens and basements, LVP is the clear choice. For living areas where you'll stay long-term, hardwood is worth the investment.
LVP and laminate can usually go over existing hard, flat flooring (tile, vinyl, hardwood). You cannot install over carpet. The existing floor must be level — use a 6-ft straightedge and check for gaps over 3/16". If it's not level, pull it up or use leveling compound.
A professional crew can do a 300 sq ft room in 4–8 hours for most materials. Tile takes longer (1–2 days including mortar cure time). DIY click-lock flooring (LVP/laminate) takes 1–2 days per room for a first-timer.
Yes — new flooring has one of the highest ROIs of any home improvement. Hardwood returns 70–80% of cost at resale. New carpet in a home with old, stained carpet can return 100%+ because it removes a buyer objection. LVP is increasingly accepted by buyers as equivalent to hardwood.
Tile or LVP. Both handle water, spills, and heavy foot traffic. Avoid solid hardwood (warps with moisture) and laminate (swells at seams if water sits). Porcelain tile is the most durable kitchen floor but costs more and is harder to stand on for long periods.