Floor Repair Costs

Repairing a floor has a number of cost variables involved. Primarily, the extent of the damage and how much repair or replacement needs to be done will factor into the total cost. There are other factors, such as the type of flooring and what caused the damage, that will also impact the cost of floor repair.

Generally, vinyl and laminate flooring are the cheapest to replace, unless you only need to replace one or two-floor tiles. The difficulty of the repairs in regard to their location may also have some bearing on the labor cost of the work. Finally, it’s usually cheaper to make minor repairs than to replace the flooring, even if only in small sections.

Flooring repair: 20 sq.ft. repair in a 200 sq.ft. area, by flooring material. Labor cost included in the square feet cost. 

Other considerations and costs

• If your repair area covers over 20 square feet, these costs may increase significantly. Additionally, some jobs that require larger repairs may be better suited to a replacement in many cases. Be sure to have an in-home estimate provided to get an exact idea of your best options for floor repair and what that will cost.
• Vinyl and laminate rarely need repairs, but scratches, dents, and discoloration can happen over time. Most of the work done here is minor patchwork, which is why it is so much more affordable.
• If hardwood floors or subfloors have any kind of water damage, you may need specific water damage restoration services or someone skilled in water damage-related repairs. This could incur a premium charge or at least increase your labor costs.
• Tile floors may cost more in labor if the work is intricate or detailed because it is going to take longer and involve more effort on the part of the repair person. For example, you may pay more for tile repair on stairs than on a flat kitchen floor.
• If the subfloor needs replaced, that will add about $15 per square foot to the project.
• Don’t do any demo or prep work before the repair technician arrives to review the work and provide an estimate. You may cause repairs to look worse than they are, or you might even rip up flooring that actually could have been saved.

DIY considerations

• You may be able to make minor repairs to your floors on your own with products purchased from a local home improvement store. If you are familiar with basic DIY skills and flooring materials, this could be a simple job.
• Make sure that you buy the appropriate materials for the type of floor that you are repairing, and for the repairs that you need done.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.