Laminate Flooring Cost: DIY or Professional Installation?
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Laminate flooring costs about $3 to $13 per square foot, including labor. Installing laminate flooring on 1,000 square feet typically costs from $3,000 to $13,000, depending on the materials and other factors.
Laminate flooring materials alone typically cost $1 to $5 per square foot. Experienced DIYers may be able to install a click-lock laminate floor without professional help, but in most cases, glued floors are better left to the professionals.
When you can install laminate flooring yourself
Labor costs can account for 20% to 50% of the total price of a laminate floor, including installation, so you may be tempted to DIY the project. If you want to go completely DIY, choose a click-lock floor, which can be a fairly simple project for beginners and doesn't require staples, tape or nails. However, keep a few important considerations in mind:
- Required supplies. Purchasing all the tools and other materials required to install a click-clock laminate floor will reduce the amount of money you save by doing the project yourself.
- Job complexity. Consider hiring a professional installer if your space is complex. For example, if you need cuts around heating registers, doorways or stairs, this might be too difficult for a DIY job.
- Time commitment. Installing a click-lock laminate floor in an average-sized room takes at least a few days, and possibly as much as four or five days for the labor itself — plus two or three days for the new flooring to rest in the area before installation. Laminate flooring needs this rest time to acclimate to the room’s environment and prevent expansion issues.
If you want to install a glued laminate floor, you may be able to reduce costs by DIYing some of the easier aspects of the project, including:
- Moving furniture.
- Removing baseboards.
- Laying protective covering on other floors.
- Removing glue, nails and staples from your subfloor.
- Handling the disposal of your old flooring.
When you might want to hire a pro for laminate flooring
Improper laminate flooring installation can lead to issues like uneven flooring and plank damage down the line. A home improvement professional can ensure the following aspects of the project are done correctly:
- Removing your old flooring and disposing of it properly.
- Identifying problems with your subfloor and repairing them.
- Properly cutting, measuring and installing the laminate.
Professional labor cost considerations
If you’re having some or all of your project handled by professionals, your cost may increase if your project requires additional labor that wasn’t included in your price quote. Types of labor that may increase costs include:
- Delivery of materials.
- Moving and replacing furniture.
- Demolition, removal and disposal of your old floor covering, unless the laminate floor can be installed over your existing floor surface.
- Preparing the subfloor for laminate flooring installation.
- Any extra materials required to install your particular floor, including transitions and trim pieces.
Types of laminate flooring
Laminate flooring can look like natural wood, stone or tile and comes in a variety of plank widths and thicknesses. These floors are available in a scale of durability ratings, known as abrasion class (AC) ratings. Each rating is best suited to specific situations.
- AC1 (Moderate residential). These floors are for light foot traffic, such as closets or bedrooms.
- AC2 (General residential). These floors are for living rooms, dining rooms and other places with moderate foot traffic.
- AC3 (Residential/moderate commercial). These floors can handle high-traffic residential use as well as light commercial use, such as hotel rooms and offices.
- AC4 (General commercial/heavy residential). AC4-rated floors are designed for commercial spaces with a lot of foot traffic, such as restaurants, stores and offices.
- AC5 (Heavy commercial). This rating describes floors that hold up in busy, high-traffic commercial locations like government buildings and large retail spaces. While designed for commercial use, AC5 is the most durable choice for homes where floors take a beating.
Usually, the higher the AC rating of laminate flooring, the higher its price tag. Expect these price ranges:
- AC1/AC2: $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot.
- AC3: $2.00 to $3.50 per square foot.
- AC4/AC5: $3.50 to $5.00 per square foot.
What other factors affect laminate flooring costs?
Many factors affect the cost to install laminate flooring. These include:
- Thickness. Generally, thicker floors are more costly than thinner ones.
- Finish. Glossy finishes may be more expensive than matte or semi-matte finishes.
- Installation type. Click-lock style flooring is typically less expensive than glued laminate style flooring.
- Texture. Smooth and embossed styles are often the most affordable. Brushed, oiled and hand-scraped styles are often more expensive.
- Appearance. The type of wood the laminate floor mimics can affect its price.
- Extra features. Upgrades like scratch-resistance, water-resistance, noise-resistance, and high-resolution imaging may add to your materials’ cost. Laminate flooring with underlayment attached is typically a more expensive option.
- Underlayment and pad. Different thicknesses and types of underlayment have different price tags.
What Reddit users say about laminate flooring projects
Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like home improvement, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about whether a bathroom remodel is worth it. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Reddit users who have installed laminate flooring have mixed feelings about whether to DIY this job or hire a pro. Some users don’t want to risk causing damage or doing a poor job, while others note that doing the job themselves wasn’t that hard and saved them a lot of money. One user suggests removing the old floor yourself and having a pro install the new one. Users advise using the right tools and taking your time to prevent mistakes.
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Frequently asked questions
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate is a type of flooring that can mimic the look of hardwood or other natural materials. Typically, it’s made from fiberboard materials (chipped wood) and melamine resin, compressed into four layers:
- Back layer. This acts as a protective moisture barrier and helps keep the floor balanced.
- Core layer. Made of high-density fiberboard, this layer helps prevent dents and moisture damage.
- Design or image layer. This layer of the floor contains a high-resolution, photorealistic image that gives the floor its appearance.
- Wear layer. This transparent top layer protects the floor from spills, stains, water, furniture, animals, high-heeled shoes and fading.
What type of laminate flooring is best for pets?
Look for these features in a laminate floor if you have a dog or other pets:
- An AC rating of at least AC3, AC4 or AC5 makes more sense for high-traffic areas or larger dogs.
- A thick, scratch-resistant wear layer.
- A waterproof core to protect from accidents.
- A color and pattern that will mask minor damage.
Can I repair laminate flooring myself if it gets minor chips, scratches or dings?
You can repair minor damage yourself with a laminate flooring repair kit. These kits should include wax sticks, color-matched fillers and application tools.
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