Vinyl Flooring Installation Cost

Vinyl flooring installation cost per square foot

The average cost to install vinyl flooring is between $4 and $14 per square foot, averaging around $9 per square foot. These price ranges include the flooring itself, the underlayment and professional installation labor for both. Your flooring installation costs could climb higher if you have a complex installation or need subfloor repairs before the installation.

Check your subfloor before installation — small imperfections can show through vinyl.

On average, your materials will cost between $2 and $11.20 per square foot, accounting for 50% to 80% of your total. Labor costs average between $0.80 and $7 per square foot and make up the remaining 20% to 50% of your total.

You may see additional material costs if you want your installer to replace transitions between rooms or install new baseboard trim once your new floor is down. Transition installation is usually included in the total, but materials can add an average of $40 to $55 per vinyl transition.

You’ll pay between $2 and $6 per linear foot for labor to remove and reinstall baseboard trim. If you want to replace the trim, expect to pay an additional $2 per linear foot on average, or more if you prefer a higher-end trim material.

Typical vinyl flooring material and labor costs

The table below breaks down common material and labor costs for this flooring type. Be sure to account for all of these costs when budgeting for your installation.

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Vinyl flooring cost by type and quality

You can choose from three types of vinyl flooring for your living space: sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT).

Sheet vinyl costs

Sheet vinyl comes in rolls and is flexible, so your installer will roll it out over your subfloor, cut around corners and obstructions using a utility knife and glue the material down. Sheet vinyl is the least durable and least appealing option of the three, but it’s the most affordable and will put your installation costs closer to $4 per square foot.

LVP costs

LVP usually comes in semi-flexible planks that closely resemble real hardwood, typically with a wood-plastic composite (WPC) core and a click-lock system that makes it nearly impervious to water. LVP flooring is more likely to push costs closer to $14 per square foot, but it also lasts much longer than sheet vinyl.

LVT costs

LVT typically has a stone-plastic composite (SPC) core, which makes it more rigid and durable. It also more closely resembles ceramic or porcelain tile. LVT flooring also usually has a click-lock system for good water resistance and resembles natural flooring materials, like stone. LVT more often costs closer to $14 per square foot to install.

Sheet vinyl is usually cheapest, but LVP and LVT offer easier repairs and replacements.

Vinyl flooring cost by material quality

For all three types of vinyl flooring, you can find materials that vary in quality, from budget-friendly options that deliver below-average durability and performance to high-end options with a longer lifespan and better protection from physical wear.

A few metrics can influence your material costs when choosing a product, including:

A mil is a unit of measurement used in flooring and equals one-thousandth of an inch.

• Wear layer thickness: Vinyl flooring has a wear layer on top that protects the material from scratches and foot traffic. The wear layer for vinyl flooring in low-traffic spaces is usually 12 mils, but 20 or 22 mils is ideal for floors in busier rooms, like kitchens and living rooms. Thicker wear layers last longer, but they also cost more.
• Material thickness: Also consider the overall thickness of the vinyl flooring. Thicker material will drive up your costs, but it can better accommodate slight subfloor variations and feel more stable underfoot.
• Core material: Core material is a key factor in durability and cost. Sheet vinyl has a flexible core and the shortest lifespan, and WPC and SPC have increasingly rigid cores and longer lifespans. Sheet vinyl costs around $4 per square foot for materials and installation, while the more rigid options often range from $7 to $14 per square foot.

Vinyl flooring labor cost and installation methods

On average, the labor costs to install vinyl flooring range from 80 cents to $7 per square foot. Several factors determine where your pricing falls within that range.

DIY vs. professional installation

If you don’t mind a floating floor, click-lock vinyl flooring is one of the easiest types to install yourself. DIY installations are time-consuming, but you can eliminate labor costs and potentially reduce your total by up to 50%.

Installation method

You have two installation options for vinyl flooring: floating and glue-down.

A floating floor clicks together and sits on top of your underlayment, while a glue-down installation involves using adhesive to attach each plank or tile to the subfloor. Opting for a floating floor will dramatically lower your labor costs, since installation is faster and easier, but you’ll get more floor movement and noise underfoot.

Type of vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring labor costs vary by material, largely because some types are easier to cut and install than others.

• Sheet vinyl is the easiest vinyl flooring material to work with and cut, so it has the lowest labor costs.
• LVP flooring with a WPC core is still relatively easy to cut, but it’s more rigid and comes in individual planks that take longer to install. So, labor costs are higher.
• LVP flooring with an SPC core also comes in individual planks or tiles and is much harder to cut, so it tends to have the highest labor costs of the three.

Floor pattern

A simple pattern with planks or tiles running parallel to the longest wall in your space is the most affordable in terms of labor. A more ornate herringbone or chevron pattern requires more measuring and cutting, which drives labor costs higher.

Room complexity

Your room layout can affect labor fees since bumpouts, closets, built-in furniture and other obstructions can take longer and increase labor costs. Installing vinyl flooring on stairs is also more time-consuming per square foot, so expect much higher costs if you want flooring to extend onto your stairs.

Old flooring removal and disposal

The best vinyl flooring companies include the cost of removing and hauling away your old flooring in estimates, but budget separately if yours doesn’t.

Expect to pay between $1 and $4 per square foot for this service. Pricing will be closer to $1 per square foot for lightweight flooring that’s easy to remove, like carpet or laminate, but closer to $4 per square foot for heavier materials that are more challenging to remove, like tile and stone.

Subfloor repairs

Your flooring installer may find hidden subfloor damage when removing your old flooring. While flexible sheet vinyl or vinyl plank can handle some subfloor variation, it’s best to address any repairs.

Subfloor repairs can add between $2 and $10 per square foot to your total, depending on the extent of the damage.

Subfloor leveling

Even if your subfloor is flat, settling or foundation movement can make it uneven. You can install vinyl over a non-level subfloor without trouble, but installing over a level surface is best practice.

Floor leveling can add between $2 and $8 per square foot to your total.

Vinyl flooring cost for common room sizes

You can get a reasonable estimate for your vinyl flooring installation costs by measuring the space you’re looking to renovate and multiplying the square footage by the average cost per square foot for materials and labor. Keep in mind that pricing can vary widely even for the same room size because many external factors come into play.

Typical vinyl flooring costs by room

The table below provides average pricing for vinyl flooring installation by room and square footage. Use this table as a starting point for your budget, but get a formal estimate from a local flooring installation company.

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FAQ

Bottom line

Most homeowners pay between $4 and $14 per square foot for vinyl flooring installation, including materials and labor. Your exact costs will depend on the material quality, room complexity, subfloor condition and more. Choose a glue-down installation for less underfoot movement and noise or a floating floor installation for a lower upfront cost.

Vinyl flooring can be a good choice if you have a busy household, own a pet or need a water-resistant and durable floor that’s easy to maintain. If you’re a budget-conscious buyer who wants a flooring upgrade, vinyl flooring also offers a range of styles at various price points.