How Much Does Laminate Flooring Installation Cost in 2025?

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 $2,990, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.