Remodel cost · Flooring
Flooring Installation Cost
500 sq ft, installed
What to expect: New flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot installed on average, according to HomeGuide, with materials at $2 to $7 and labor at $2 to $8 per sq ft. A 500 sq ft area runs $2,000 to $7,500 and 1,000 sq ft $4,000 to $15,000. Carpet is cheapest at $2 to $8 per sq ft installed; hardwood runs $11 to $25.
HomeGuide puts installed flooring at $4 to $15 per square foot on average.
Installed cost by floor type
| Type | Material per sq ft | Installed per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | $1 – $5 | $2 – $8 |
| Standard vinyl sheet | $1 – $4 | $2 – $7 |
| Standard vinyl plank | $2 – $7 | $3 – $10 |
| Laminate | $1 – $6 | $4 – $14 |
| Luxury vinyl plank / tile | $2 – $10 | $4 – $16 |
| Epoxy | $1 – $5 | $4 – $10 |
| Engineered wood | $2 – $9 | $7 – $20 |
| Bamboo | $3 – $8 | $7 – $17 |
| Tile | $2 – $30 | $10 – $50 |
| Hardwood | $4 – $15 | $11 – $25 |
| Marble | $5 – $20 | $10 – $40 |
Cost by project size
| Area | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| 200 sq ft | $800 – $3,000 |
| 500 sq ft | $2,000 – $7,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $4,000 – $15,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $6,000 – $22,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $8,000 – $30,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $12,000 – $45,000 |
Cost by room
| Room | Typical size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | 40 – 50 sq ft | $200 – $800 |
| Kitchen | 64 – 200 sq ft | $300 – $3,000 |
| Bedroom | 100 – 240 sq ft | $400 – $3,600 |
| Living room | 200 – 320 sq ft | $800 – $4,800 |
| Basement | 300 – 2,000 sq ft | $1,200 – $30,000 |
Extra charges
- Carpet removal: $0.70 to $1.60 per sq ft; tile removal $2 to $7 per sq ft
- Subfloor replacement: $2.20 to $4.75 per sq ft
- Underlayment: $0.50 to $3.50 per sq ft; new baseboards $4 to $10
- Furniture moving: $25 to $75 per room
- Many installers have a $200 to $500+ minimum job fee.
Bedroom flooring by type
| Floor | Average bedroom (100–144 sq ft) | Primary suite (192–240 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | $200 – $1,200 | $400 – $1,900 |
| Standard vinyl | $200 – $1,700 | $400 – $2,900 |
| Laminate | $400 – $2,000 | $800 – $3,400 |
| LVP / LVT | $400 – $2,300 | $800 – $3,900 |
| Engineered wood | $700 – $2,900 | $1,300 – $4,800 |
| Hardwood | $1,100 – $3,600 | $2,100 – $6,000 |
Living room and kitchen by type
| Floor | Living room (200–320 sq ft) | Kitchen (64–200 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | $400 – $2,600 | — |
| LVP / LVT | $800 – $5,100 | $260 – $3,200 |
| Laminate | $800 – $4,500 | — |
| Engineered wood | $1,400 – $6,400 | $450 – $4,000 |
| Hardwood | $2,200 – $8,000 | $700 – $5,000 |
| Tile | — | $640 – $10,000 |
Source: HomeGuide.
Basements by type (500–1,500 sq ft)
Carpet $1,000 – $12,000, epoxy $2,000 – $15,000, laminate $2,000 – $21,000, LVP $2,000 – $24,000, hardwood $5,500 – $37,500 and tile $5,000 – $75,000 (HomeGuide).
Flooring types compared
- Solid hardwood: classic, long-lasting and can be refinished several times. It does not handle moisture well.
- Engineered hardwood: a real wood top layer over a stable core. It handles humidity changes better and can go over concrete.
- Laminate: a photographic wood look over a dense core. Scratch-resistant and affordable; many products now resist water better than older laminate.
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): waterproof, durable and comfortable underfoot.
- Tile: ceramic or porcelain, ideal for wet areas.
- Carpet: soft, warm and quiet.
Choosing for each room
- Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms: tile or LVP.
- Living areas: hardwood, engineered wood, laminate or LVP.
- Bedrooms: carpet or any of the hard floors.
- Homes with pets: scratch-resistant surfaces and waterproof options.
The subfloor matters
Every floor needs a flat, dry, solid base. Uneven subfloors cause gaps, cracks and squeaks. Leveling and moisture testing are common extra steps, especially on concrete.
What affects the price
- Material and product line.
- Square footage and room shapes.
- Removing old flooring.
- Subfloor leveling or repairs.
- Stairs, transitions and baseboards.
- Moving furniture and appliances.
Questions to ask
- Is removal and disposal of the old floor included?
- Will you test the slab or subfloor for moisture?
- Who covers the warranty: the manufacturer, the installer, or both?
In Texas
Many Texas homes are built on concrete slabs. Moisture can rise through a slab, so some floors need a vapor barrier or a product rated for installation over concrete.
Choosing flooring by room
Kitchens: water resistance and durability matter. Tile, LVP and water-resistant laminate are common.
Bathrooms: tile and LVP handle moisture best.
Living rooms and bedrooms: hardwood, carpet, laminate and LVP all work. Comfort and look often decide.
Basements: moisture is the main concern. LVP, tile and some engineered products suit below-grade spaces.
Entries and mudrooms: durable, easy-to-clean surfaces like tile or LVP.
Transitions between rooms
When flooring changes between rooms, transition strips cover the joint and handle height differences. Planning transitions in doorways rather than open areas makes them less noticeable. Using one flooring type through connected spaces creates a seamless look.
Removing old flooring
Removal adds cost, especially for glued-down flooring or tile. Older vinyl flooring and adhesives may contain asbestos, so testing may be needed before removal in older homes.
Comparing quotes
Ask each installer to include removal, disposal, subfloor prep, underlayment, trim, transitions, furniture moving and the material cost.
Subfloor preparation
The subfloor is the foundation for any new floor. Squeaks, soft spots, water damage and uneven areas need to be fixed before installation. Squeaks are usually fixed by screwing the subfloor to the joists. Soft or rotted sections are cut out and replaced. Uneven areas are ground down or filled with a leveling compound. Concrete slabs may need grinding, patching or a moisture barrier. Skipping preparation can cause gaps, cracks, hollow spots and early failure, and many flooring warranties require the subfloor to meet the manufacturer's flatness and moisture standards.
How long installation takes
Installation time depends on the material and the size of the project. Carpet and floating floors are often done in a day or two for a few rooms. Tile takes longer because of mortar and grout curing times. Site-finished hardwood needs several days for sanding and finishing. Removing old flooring and preparing the subfloor add time.
Acclimation
Some materials, especially hardwood and some laminate and vinyl, need to sit in the home before installation so they adjust to the indoor temperature and humidity. The manufacturer specifies how long. Installing too soon can cause gaps or buckling later.
Living through installation
Plan for furniture to be moved and rooms to be off-limits during installation. Ask the installer whether they move furniture and appliances and whether there is a charge. Keep pets and children out of the work area. For tile and finished hardwood, there may be a waiting period before walking on or replacing furniture.
Disposal
Ask if disposal is included.
Keep spare material.
Keep a box of spare material for future repairs.
Sources
Flooring contractors in Texas
Our Texas business directory lists 684 flooring contractors across 6 major cities. The ratings below are the average Google rating of the listed businesses in each city, and the review counts are the total number of Google reviews they have received.
| City | Businesses listed | Avg. Google rating | Total reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 278 | 4.6 | 14,045 |
| Dallas | 82 | 4.6 | 3,692 |
| San Antonio | 118 | 4.6 | 7,633 |
| Austin | 107 | 4.6 | 3,835 |
| Fort Worth | 68 | 4.3 | 2,797 |
| El Paso | 31 | 4.5 | 1,909 |
Source: twupro Texas business directory, built from public Google Maps listings.
Get remodeling quotes
Compare local contractors with reviews and phone numbers in your area.