How Much Does LVT Flooring Cost?

Average Cost to Install Luxury Vinyl Flooring

*Based on an average project size of 560 square feet.

LVT Flooring Cost per Square Foot

Total installation costs for luxury vinyl tile range from $3 to $18 per square foot. You’ll typically pay $5 to $10 per square foot or anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per 100 square feet. Compared to other flooring installation costs, it’s more costly than sheet flooring and some carpet but less costly than high-end wood or stone. When broken down, costs include:

• Labor: $2.50–$6 per square foot or about $30 to $60 per hour

• Materials: $0.50–$12 per square foot 

Here are common installation sizes and their costs:

Cost to Install LVT by Room Type

Using the average cost per square foot, it’s fairly simple to figure out how much LVT flooring costs for a specific room in your home. Find the area of the room by measuring the length times the width, or use our room area calculator. 

While you can install LVT in any room, it performs best in high-traffic areas like hallways or rooms with frequent moisture or spills, like a kitchen or bathroom.

Below is a list of rooms where LVT is a common flooring option.

Bathroom

Installing luxury vinyl tile in the bathroom costs $300 to $1,800, all-in, based on a typical room size of up to 100 square feet. Remember that you'll want a textured non-slip tile for safety. Plus, a fully waterproof tile plus a vapor barrier underneath is necessary because of the constant moisture in bathrooms.

Utility Room

For a utility room or mudroom of up to 160 square feet, expect to pay between $480 to $2,880 to install LVT. Utility room floors tend to take a lot of abuse from muddy boots, laundry baskets getting dragged across them, and day-to-day use. LVT is easy to wipe clean and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. High-end models have a thicker wear layer. 

Kitchen

If you want to install LVT in a kitchen of up to 240 square feet, expect to pay $720 to $4,320. A wood-look, fully waterproof LVT is a popular choice for kitchens, as it mimics the look of hardwood flooring with none of the maintenance.

Living Room

LVT costs $960 to $5,760 to install in a living room space of up to 320 square feet. Large, thicker tiles work best in a family room because they're easy to clean. Higher-end tiles have a tough, durable wear layer that can withstand spills, scuffs, and scratches while maintaining their look and being comfortable to walk on.

You may also want to consider installing another type of flooring in this area since it’s higher traffic and doesn’t need to be water-resistant. Laminate flooring costs and Pergo flooring costs compare favorably to LVT and have a similar look. 

Basement

In a typical basement up to 1,000 square feet, installing LVT ranges from $3,000 to $18,000. LVT works well for basements because it doesn't require any underlayment, even over concrete or plywood subfloors, and there are waterproof options. 

Consider installing a vapor barrier if your basement has regular moisture or humidity problems. A vapor barrier prevents moisture from building up beneath the tiles and causing mold issues.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Installation Cost Factors

How much you'll pay per square foot depends on the tiles' thickness, color, and finish. The most affordable tiles are comparatively thin, and the printed image won't be as realistic as on higher-end types. You can break these options down into three rough tiers: economy, midrange, and high end. 

Luxury Vinyl Tile vs. Vinyl Planks

There is a small difference between the cost of luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) and LVT. You’ll pay approximately $0.50 per square foot more for LVP than for LVT, and labor costs are about the same. A less expensive option than plank or tiles, sheet vinyl flooring costs $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot. 

Thickness

Typically, the more luxurious the LVT, the more expensive it will be. However, this varies from brand to brand. A thick style in one brand might cost less than a thinner style in another. The overlap makes it hard to judge the exact price of luxury vinyl flooring. Vinyl floor repair prices tend to be higher for thicker styles. 

Installation Method

You’ll pay an average of $3 to $10 per square foot for most types of LVT, depending on the installation method. Both floating and peel-and-stick make excellent DIY installations. Floating is the most forgiving style. Glue down may be the most inexpensive to purchase, but it’s time-consuming to install; however, it typically performs the best and is the choice of most professionals. 

The cost to install LVT flooring varies based on the following installation methods:

Designs and Patterns

Designs and patterns become more realistic and better mimic stone and wood the more you spend. They’re also more resistant to UV rays and have thicker wear layers, typically with longer warranties. 

Vapor Barrier Installation

To combat moisture, or if you plan to install water-resistant LVT in a very damp location like a bathroom, you'll likely need to install a vapor barrier to stop mold growth beneath the tiles. Vapor barrier installation costs around $100 to $150 per room, depending on the size of the room and the complexity of the installation.

Radiant Heating

Radiant heat installation costs $6 to $20 per square foot. One of the key benefits of LVT is that it can go over a radiant heating system so you can enjoy warm floors and energy-efficient heating. 

Transition Strips

Transition strips cost between $5 to $30 each. If you're installing different types of flooring in other rooms, such as carpet in your living room and LVT in the hallway, you'll need to install threshold strips to create a smooth, safe, and neat transition. 

Geographic Location

Your geographic location affects labor costs. In regions with a higher cost of living, you’re likely to pay more for labor. Material prices in most of the United States stay fairly constant, but shipping costs to Hawaii and Alaska increase material costs by up to 35%. 

Removing Old Flooring

Removing old flooring costs anywhere from $500 to $1,500 on average. Glue-down tile costs the most to remove, while floating styles are easy to get out quickly. You’ll likely pay the most for removing any old tile or hardwood flooring. 

DIY vs. Hiring an LVT Installation Pro

When you work with a flooring installer in your area, the labor cost is around $2.50 to $6 per square foot to install LVT. The job usually includes assessing the space, sourcing materials, removing the old floor, installing the new floor, and disposing of all the waste when the job is complete.

Hiring a professional installer is an option to consider for a quality, waterproof installation. While installing LVT yourself is possible if you have the skills, time, and tools, leaving this project to the pros is better. Your pro will remove the existing flooring and complete any prep work, such as leveling the base layer or adding a vapor barrier if necessary. The flooring pro will install the new flooring, ensure a professional finish, and dispose of all the waste and debris after the project wraps up.