Are you renovating or building a home? But don’t want to overspend on flooring? No need to worry anymore. We have the most effective solution for you – Laminates.
Laminate flooring is a beautiful and trendy synthetic, designed to give a woody appearance. Also, you can install and maintain laminates very easily. However, the average cost to install 500 square feet of laminate flooring is over $2,000 to $7,000.
In this guideline, we will go over various details and considerations. So, let’s get started.
The Average Cost To Install Flooring In A 500-Square-Foot Area
On average, it takes around $1,500 to $4,500 to install floors in an area of 500 square footage. This comprises the cost of both labor and material.
Also, in the following, we have enlisted the average pricing for different types of flooring:
| Flooring Type | Average Cost |
| Laminate | $3.80 to $4.80 per square footage |
| Vinyl Composition Tile | $1.00 to $4.00 per square footage |
| Vinyl Sheet | $1.00 to $2.00 per square footage |
| Luxury Vinyl Tile | $2.00 to $10.0 per square footage |
| Hardwood | $14.0 to $32.0 per square footage |
| Standard Vinyl Plank | $2.00 to $7.00 per square footage |
Factors Affecting Cost
Flooring installation costs can vary depending on a number of crucial factors. Some of these are labor costs, material costs, underlayment and others. Let’s dig deep into it:
Material Costs
No matter if it is basic carpeting, contractor-level laminate flooring, the latest brand-name tile, or the greatest exotic hardwood. Your material is most likely the critical variable that will influence the floor installation pricing for each square footage. So, it is best to first shop around and then get acquainted with the cost of each material. Now look for a supplier that can give you quality flooring materials at a wholesale price.
Let’s have a look at the flooring pricing comparison of different materials in the following:
| Materials | Costs Per Square Footage |
| Laminate Hardwood | $0.68 to $2.59 |
| Tile | $1 to $3 |
| Real Hardwood | $3 to $12 |
| Carpet | $2 to $5 |
Labor Costs
There are different levels of labor to go for. For this reason, labor costs can also impact floor installation pricing. However, small business contractors cost differently than big-box store contractors assigned to you by the company. Generally speaking, larger stores will cost more. But, small businesses can charge even more on the basis of the specific job and the location. Here are labor costs per square footage for different floors.
| Flooring Types | Labor Cost Per Square Footage |
| Real Hardwood | $3 to $9 |
| Laminate Hardwood | $1 to $2 |
| Carpet | $1 to $3 |
| Tile | $6 to $8 |
Additional Costs
Costs By Texture
Laminate flooring may be textured or smooth. Aside from this, smooth laminates look more like tile or polished wood. In comparison, textured laminate reflects the look of a stone or wood grain for a more realistic appearance. Below is the pricing by texture:
| Texture Type | Price Per Square Footage |
| Embossed in register (EIR) | $1.90 to $4.00 |
| Smooth | $1.70 to $2.90 |
| Hand scraped | $2.00 to $6.00 |
| Embossed | $1.80 to $3.80 |
Costs by Thickness
Are you wondering how much to install 500 square feet of laminate flooring? Pricing can vary depending on many factors as mentioned above. So, the laminate thickness is one of them. Moreover, the laminate flooring can be 6 to 12 mm in thickness. In contrast to thinner laminate flooring, thicker ones cost more and absorb even more sound.
| Thickness | Pricing Per Square Footage |
| 6 to 6.9 | $0.60 to $3.00 |
| 7 to 8.9 | $0.80 to $3.50 |
| 9 to 10.9 | $1.50 to $4.00 |
| 11 + | $2.00 to $5.00 |
Based on your reading, you might like: Estimate Roof Installation Cost Per Square Foot
Tips For Cost Savings
If you’ve set your mind to install laminar flooring, there is no need at all to break the bank. In the following, we’ve given some essential cost-saving tips for floor installation:
Move Furniture By Yourself
Do some of the hard work by yourself to lighten the load. You can get help from your friends to move your furniture to somewhere else. This way, you will not have to hire a professional installation crew to move the furniture. As a result, you can save money.
Remove Old Flooring
Before you invest your money in hiring a contractor, it is best to do some prep work. Thus, removing the old flooring yourself can save you around $3.50 per square footage. It is advised to do this only if you want to keep the subflooring in perfect condition.
You May Also Read: Get Clients As A Contractor
Keep a Balance Between the Quality and Price of Materials
Keeping a balance between the quality and price of materials is also very important. Although the least expensive materials give an appealing appearance to the floors, they can demand replacement in a few years which can cost you many more. Therefore, material quality matters a lot. Ensure to purchase quality materials at affordable prices.
Local Variations
Some floor installation materials and methods may not be appropriate in some areas because of many reasons. For example, climatic conditions, local trade practices and construction methods. For this reason, all flooring installations, including vinyl sheet and wood laminate, must conform to ordinances, local building codes and trade practices.
Wrapping It Up
For those looking to renovate or install new floors, laminating flooring is the most innovative alternative. It is not only cheaper, but you can maintain it easily as well. However, the cost to install 500 square feet of laminate flooring, on average, can reach up to $7,000. Also, following the above tips, you can make essential cost savings.
FAQs
What are the key steps involved in the laminate flooring installation process?
The key steps involved in the laminate flooring installation process include the following:
- Subfloor preparation
- Planks accommodation
- Door jambs preparation
- Underlayment installation
- Planks installation
- Floor finishing
What is the average cost for removing existing flooring before installing laminate?
The average cost for removing existing flooring before installing laminate depends on many factors. For example, the amount of effort and the type of flooring required. However, it costs around $1.95 per square footage of old flooring. If we talk about professionals, they usually charge $50 to $70 for each hour of this floor removal service.
What factors influence the overall cost of laminate flooring installation?
Many factors can influence the overall pricing of laminate flooring installation, including:
- Local labor costs
- Uneven door frames and edges
- The amount of floor you need to cover
- The complexity of your job
- Geographic location
- Laminate quality
- Quality and brand of laminate used
What is the warranty on the laminate flooring, and does it cover installation?
In the laminate flooring warranty, you will receive a guarantee for strain resistance, light fastness and abrasion of the top layer. However, the warranty starts right at the time you make a purchase.
How do I choose the right laminate flooring for my space?
You can choose the right laminate flooring for your space by considering the following:
- Look for laminate flooring with a scratch-resistant finish and a highly durable nature
- Check out the abrasion criteria used to test for impact resistance, abrasion and durability. You can consider lower ratings in the low-traffic areas.
