Laminate Flooring Installation Costs

Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic product that is manufactured for many uses, including as flooring in the home. The lamination process allows homeowners to emulate the look of tile, stone, or wood flooring with the use of photographic printed material under the clear protective surface layer. Laminate is a desirable material because it costs a fraction of what you would pay for actual wood or tile flooring and offers much more durability.

Laminate flooring installation is generally priced by the square foot. However, complex floor spaces and smaller spaces may actually cost more because more trimming and modifying of the floor tiles is required during the installation process. Laminate floors can last for up to 30 years and the material used makes them resistant to water and other debris. This is why they are the preferred choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

The type of laminate or its “finish” (wood, tile, or stone) does not affect the price, in most cases. What does impact the cost of laminate flooring installation is the color. Deeper colors are often more expensive because they are considered a premium product, while lighter styles are often less costly.

Laminate flooring installation: 200 square foot kitchen ($1,600 to $5,000). This does not include the removal of old flooring (may not be required), furniture removal, delivery and installation fees, re-installation of baseboards and trim materials. Note that this is an average estimate and that you may or may not require some of the materials listed.

Other considerations and costs

• Laminate can be layered two or three times before flooring needs to be completely removed. Since it lasts so long, many people never end up paying to have old floors removed as part of this process.
• Abrasion Class (AC) ratings of the laminate floor will affect the cost. Bathrooms can stand economy class to moderately rated floors, while a kitchen or entry hall might require heavy-duty laminate that has a higher abrasion rating, which will cost more per square foot.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

• Since laminate floors are so simple to install, and usually come in tiles or rolls, you can save up to $1,600 on labor costs by doing the work yourself.
• Remember to buy or rent the appropriate tools for flooring installation. This will incur an additional charge, but it is necessary for proper installation.
• If you do want to remove old floors before a professional installation, do the work yourself and save about $400.

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.