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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.