How Much Does Laminate Flooring Installation Cost in 2025?

Laminate Flooring Installation Cost Factors

Material costs are among the main factors for laminate flooring, and they vary depending on the laminate type, finish, and thickness.

Square Footage

Laminate flooring costs vary between $6 to $14 per square foot for materials and labor. For a 200-square-foot room, such as a master bedroom or living room, expect to pay between $1,200 and $2,800.

Laminate Type

Laminate flooring is available in various styles, manufactured to resemble mainly wood, stone, and tile. Across these styles, costs range from $1 to $6.50 for materials alone. Higher costs typically reflect luxury laminate with intricate and realistic details and premium quality.

Wood

Wood laminate is popular among homeowners for its realistic wood-like appearance at a fraction of the cost of hardwood flooring. Laminate comes in a wide range of wood-like appearances, such as light oak colors and grains, to deep cherry hues. 

Stone

Stone laminate, which mimics the appearance of natural stone, costs between $2 and $5.50 per square foot for materials and $5 to $13 per square foot with labor. Entry-level stone laminate floors are typically made from composite material and a thin printed layer, while high-end stone laminate features more advanced printing techniques and greater durability. Laminate simulating marble, granite, slate, or similarly high-end looks usually carries higher costs than other stone types.

Tile

Tile laminate flooring simulates ceramic, porcelain, glass, or other tile materials, and it costs $3 to $6.50 per square foot for materials or $6 to $14 per square foot with installation. 

Lower-end tile laminate features basic designs, simpler patterns, and an overall less realistic look. In comparison, luxury tile laminate mimics intricate tile patterns and uses higher-quality printing. This flooring doesn’t use actual grout, but many options include embossed grout lines that take more time and effort to align correctly.

Texture and Finish

Laminate flooring is available in various textures and finishes that influence both appearance and cost. Smooth finishes are simple and affordable, ranging from $1.70 to $2.60 per square foot, while brushed and oiled laminate provide greater detail and realism but come with the highest costs, up to $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 flooring ranges from six-millimeter to 12-millimeter thick and influences durability, comfort, and cost. Most eight to 10-millimeter laminates have the appropriate durability for the average home, assuming it’s installed over a smooth and well-maintained subfloor. Thicker materials cost more but may offer superior damage resistance, evenness, and noise reduction.

Labor

Hiring a laminate floor installer accounts for 20% to 50% of total project costs, ranging from $2 to $8 per square foot, depending on the contractor's skill and the complexity of the job. Intricate or tedious laminate patterns, difficult-to-reach areas, and other tasks may require more labor time.

Additional charges may apply to certain tasks, such as:

• Moving furniture: $20–$50 per room

• Removing old flooring: $70 per hour or $500–$600 per 200 sq. ft.

Additional Laminate Flooring Costs

Extra features, durability, and subflooring repairs may contribute to your total costs.

Underlayment

Underlayment is a layer of padding installed beneath laminate that protects against moisture, muffles sound, and compensates for unevenness in your subflooring. Some laminate products come with an attached underlayment, but you can also purchase it separately for about $40 to $100 per 100-square-foot roll. Higher costs typically correlate with increased quality and thickness, and cutting and fitting these materials adds to total labor needs

Repairing and Replacing Subfloors

The subfloor is a layer of plywood, concrete, or similar materials that sit directly beneath flooring, such as laminate. It provides structural support for finished flooring while also helping to regulate moisture and temperature fluctuations.

Before laminate installation, the subfloor should be properly prepared—depending on its condition, this may mean cleaning and drying, addressing underlying damage, or subfloor replacement. If your space has severe damage, you may also need to repair or replace other structural components.

Abrasion Coefficient Rating

The abrasion coefficient (AC) rating indicates the durability of laminate products. AC ratings are 1 through 5, with 5 being the most durable as well as the most expensive. AC 5 is typically reserved for industrial and commercial spaces—residential buildings don’t usually have laminate products exceeding AC 4.

Upgrades

Some laminate products have special comfort or durability features that increase material costs by $1 to $3 per square foot. These features may include:

• Water resistance

• Scratch resistance

• Noise resistance

• Radiant heat compatibility

Laminate Floors vs. Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are favored for their elegant and traditional appearance, durability against daily wear, and overall longevity, but they require periodic refinishing as well as more costly fixes for deeper damage. Depending on maintenance and the type of wood, hardwood floors can last 100 years or more. Engineered hardwood floors are more affordable but less durable, lasting about 50 years.

With hardwood floors ranging between $5 and $45 per square foot, they’re not always cost-accessible. Laminate floors are popular as an alternative flooring material at a fraction of the cost. Laminate flooring can mimic the look of high-quality wood flooring and offers low maintenance and moisture resistance compared to hardwood. It’s ideal for budget-friendly projects that still want a premium visual impact.

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%–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 flooring may have a positive impact on your home value depending on several factors. It offers the best return on investment if replacing flooring in disrepair or of poorer quality, such as worn-out linoleum, vinyl, or carpet. Installing laminate over hardwood or tiles typically isn’t recommended since natural materials in good condition usually carry a higher value than laminate.

Otherwise, laminate flooring offers several benefits that appeal to potential homebuyers, such as:

• 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.