Home Improvement

Flooring Calculator

Estimate material, installation, and total costs for any flooring type

Quick Answer:A 12x12 ft room (144 sq ft) with hardwood flooring costs roughly $1,400-$2,300 installed. Laminate for the same room runs $575-$1,000. Always add 10% for waste when ordering materials.

Room & Flooring

Total Project Cost

Calculating... all rooms included

Total Area

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square feet

Material Needed

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sq ft with waste

Cost Per Sq Ft

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all-in cost

Underlayment

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if needed for type

Cost Breakdown

Material--
Installation--
Underlayment--

Expert Insight 2026 Pro Tip

When comparing flooring types, look beyond the per-square-foot price. Hardwood costs more upfront but lasts 50+ years and can be refinished 3-4 times. Laminate at $3-5/sq ft lasts 15-25 years but cannot be refinished. Vinyl plank is the best value for moisture-prone areas. Always get 3 quotes from installers and ask about their warranty. Buy all material from the same dye lot to ensure color consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to install flooring per square foot?

Flooring installation costs vary by type: hardwood runs $4-8/sq ft for installation, laminate $1.50-3/sq ft, vinyl plank $1.50-3/sq ft, tile $4-8/sq ft, and carpet $0.50-2/sq ft. These are labor-only costs. Total project cost including materials ranges from $3-20/sq ft depending on material quality and your region. Urban areas typically cost 20-30% more than rural locations.

How much extra flooring should I buy for waste?

Plan for 10% extra material for standard rectangular rooms. For diagonal installations, add 15%. For rooms with many angles, closets, or complex layouts, budget 15-20% extra. Patterned tiles may need up to 20% overage. Always keep some extra material for future repairs -- matching flooring from a different production run may not be an exact color match.

What is the cheapest type of flooring to install?

Laminate flooring is typically the most affordable option at $3-7/sq ft installed (material + labor). Vinyl plank is close behind at $4-9/sq ft installed. Carpet ranges from $3-8/sq ft installed. Hardwood is the most expensive at $8-18/sq ft installed, but adds the most home value. Tile falls in the middle at $7-15/sq ft installed depending on the tile chosen.

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