How Much Does Laminate Flooring Installation Cost in 2025?
Homeowners spend about $2,991 on average on laminate flooring installation costs. However, most projects fall between $1,472 and $4,645. That works out to roughly $3 to $13 per square foot, depending on plank style, finish, thickness, and local labor rates.
Wood-look planks are the most popular, but you can also choose laminate that imitates stone or tile.
Thicker planks with realistic textures and premium finishes sit at the top of the price range.
Materials alone cost about $1 to $5 per square foot, while a full install lands between $3 and $13 per square foot.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Installing laminate flooring is an affordable way to give your space a fresh look. Your final price depends on where you live, room size, plank quality, and how frequently you plan to replace the floor. Most homeowners spend $2,991, though it can run from as little as $500 to as high as $8,300. When you hire a pro, they’ll pull up the old floor, prep the subfloor, and click the new planks into place. A finished laminate floor feels comfortable underfoot, cuts down on upkeep, and can nudge your home’s value higher.
Laminate Flooring Installation Cost Factors
Material prices swing the most, shifting with plank style, finish, and thickness.
Square Footage
Laminate flooring runs $3 to $13 per square foot installed. For a 200-square-foot space—think primary bedroom or living room—you’ll likely spend $1,200 to $2,800.
| Square Footage | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $300–$1,300 |
| 200 | $600–$2,600 |
| 300 | $900–$3,900 |
| 500 | $1,500–$6,500 |
| 750 | $2,250–$9,750 |
| 1,000 | $3,000–$13,000 |
| 1,250 | $3,750–$16,250 |
| 1,500 | $4,500–$19,500 |
| 2,000 | $6,000–$26,000 |
Laminate Type
Laminate comes in styles that mimic wood, stone, and tile. Expect to pay $1 to $6.50 per square foot for materials alone, with premium, ultra-realistic planks sitting at the higher end.
| Laminate Floor Style | Average Material Cost per Sq. Ft. | Total Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | $1–$3.75 | $2–$10 |
| Stone | $1.75–$4.75 | $3.50–$13 |
| Tile | $1.50–$4.75 | $3–$13 |
Texture and Finish
Texture and finish also affect price. Smooth planks stay budget-friendly at $1.70 to $2.60 per square foot, while brushed or oiled options look more like genuine wood and can reach $5.60 per square foot.
Finishes range from matte to glossy. Matte finishes are more affordable but tend to show dirt and footprints more easily. Glossy finishes carry higher costs but deliver a more premium look.
| Texture/Finish | Material Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| Smooth | $1.70–$2.60 |
| Embossed | $1.80–$3 |
| Embossed in Register (EIR) | $1.90–$4 |
| Brushed | $2–$4 |
| Oiled | $2.60–$5.60 |
| Handscraped | $3–$6 |
| Semi-matte | $1–$4 |
| Matte | $1–$4.40 |
| Gloss | $1.70–$5.60 |
Thickness
Laminate planks range from 6 to 12 millimeters thick. For most homes, 8 to 10 millimeters strikes the right balance of durability and comfort, provided the subfloor is smooth. Thicker boards cost more but absorb sound better and hide minor subfloor flaws.
| Thickness (Millimeters) | Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| 6 | $0.70–$1 |
| 7 | $0.90–$1 |
| 8 | $1–$1.80 |
| 10 | $2–$4 |
| 12 | $2.30–$6 |
Labor
When you bring in a local laminate flooring pro, labor makes up 20% to 50% of the bill—about $2 to $8 per square foot, depending on job complexity and installer experience. Detailed patterns or tight corners can bump up the hours.
You could also see add-on fees for tasks like:
Moving furniture: $20–$50 per room
Removing old flooring: $70 per hour or $400 to $600 per 200 sq. ft.
Additional Laminate Flooring Costs
Extra features, durability, and subflooring repairs may contribute to your total costs.
Underlayment
Underlayment— a thin pad beneath the planks—fights moisture, quiets footsteps, and smooths out slight dips in the subfloor. Some planks come pre-attached, or you can buy rolls for roughly $30 to $60 per 100 square feet. Thicker, higher-quality pads cost more, and trimming them adds a bit to labor.
Repairing and Replacing Subfloors
Your subfloor—plywood, concrete, or another stable base—supports the finished floor and helps manage moisture and temperature swings.
Before the new planks go down, the subfloor needs to be clean, dry, and damage-free. If moisture or rot has set in, that could involve a quick sweep or a full replacement. Severe damage might even mean tackling joists or other structural parts.
| Task | Cost Range per Sq. Ft. | Cost per Room |
|---|---|---|
| Subfloor repair | $2 | $ 400 (per 200 sq. ft.) |
| Subfloor replacement | $ 2 | $ 400 (per 200 sq. ft.) |
| Floor joist repair | $10–$60 | $1,500–$12,000 |
Budgeting for Laminate Flooring Installation
Several strategies can help make your laminate flooring installation more cost-effective, such as:
Get estimates from multiple contractors and compare their rates and included services.
Opt for mid-range laminate flooring that offers durability and visual appeal.
Look for seasonal discounts or special promotions on laminate flooring products.
Budget for 5% to 10% in extra materials to account for custom cuts and future laminate repairs.
Prep the space before installation, moving furniture and personal items to other rooms.
Does Installing Laminate Flooring Increase Home Value?
Laminate can boost home value, especially when it replaces worn-out linoleum, vinyl, or carpet. You’ll see the best ROI when the new floor noticeably upgrades what was there before. Laying laminate over healthy hardwood flooring or tile isn’t ideal—solid natural materials hold their value better.
Low-maintenance
Durability
Comfort and sound absorption
Stain- and scratch-resistant
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laminate flooring is made of multiple layers of synthetic material bonded together. The top layer is made from resin, which seals and protects the rest of the flooring from scratches and stains. The decorative layer features a print image of wood, stone, or ceramic, while the core is made from high-density fiberboard and resin to provide strength and structure. The bottom layer protects the core from moisture.
Carpet installs average $3.50 to $11 per square foot, while laminate runs $6 to $14. Carpet costs less up front, but laminate lasts longer, cuts down on maintenance, and delivers a stronger ROI. If you’re looking for durability and a resale bump, laminate often wins out despite the higher initial price.
AC ratings measure durability. An AC1 plank handles light foot traffic, while AC5 stands up to busy commercial spaces. The tougher the plank, the higher the price, an extra $1 to $3.50 per square foot. Choosing the right rating helps you balance budget and longevity.
You can lay laminate over most hard surfaces, but never over carpet. The soft pile doesn’t give the planks the solid, level base they need and can void the warranty. Instead, remove the carpet, check that the subfloor is flat, and roll out a firm underlayment before installation.
Laminate can add value when it replaces tired carpet, vinyl, or linoleum. A fresh, wood-look surface upgrades the room’s style without the cost of solid hardwood. Opt for high-quality planks with realistic patterns and good AC ratings to boost durability—and your home’s resale appeal.
- Flooring - Install, Repair, or Refinish
- Vinyl or Linoleum Sheet Flooring or Tiles - Install
- Wood Flooring - Refinish
- Laminate Wood or Stone Flooring - Repair
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring - Repair
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring - Install - Materials Not Provided by Consumer
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring - Install - Materials Provided by Consumer
- Vinyl or Linoleum Sheet Flooring or Tiles - Repair
- Carpet - Install
- Carpet - Repair, Refasten, or Stretch
- Wood Flooring - Repair or Partially Replace
Get our Angi-powered app
