How Much Does It Cost to Repair Vinyl or Linoleum Flooring?
Typical Range:
$349 - $2,281
Typical Range:
$349 - $2,281
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 509 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
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Published September 14, 2021
Written by HomeAdvisor.The national average cost to repair vinyl or linoleum flooring is $1,295. Depending on your location, the type of flooring, and the extent of the damage, expect to pay anywhere from $349 and $2,281. Small nicks and tears require simple, DIY fixes, but more extensive damage or whole plank replacement is better left to the professionals.
Let's calculate cost data for you. Where are you located?
Where are you located?
National Average | $1,295 |
Typical Range | $349 - $2,281 |
Low End - High End | $100 - $6,000 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 509 HomeAdvisor members.
The cost of materials for repairing linoleum or vinyl floors depends on the extent of the damage and the type of flooring.
For small nicks, abrasions, UV damage, and scuffed areas of high traffic, you can likely get away with a budget-friendly universal vinyl or linoleum repair kit.
These affordable kits contain numerous different color pigments and a durable acrylic putty that you mix according to the instructions to match the color of your existing flooring. They also provide instructions for creating and matching grain and marbling patterns.
These repair kits start around $20 and work with vinyl sheet, tile, and planks as well as linoleum.
Sheet vinyl costs between $0.50 and $2 per square foot and sheet linoleum costs between $2 and $3 per square foot. However, if you do need to cut out and replace a damaged patch of flooring, you may have to purchase several square feet if your particular flooring material isn't available in such small units.
If, however, you saved the offcuts from the original installation, you won't need to purchase any excess. Instead, you'll pay just a few dollars for suitable flooring glue to adhere the patch to the subfloor.
Vinyl tile costs between $2.50 and $5 per square foot. However, you'll likely have to purchase a pack of tiles, even if you only need one, so remember to budget for a vinyl tile pack, not just a single tile.
As a positive, you'll have spare tiles on hand for future damage repairs. You'll also need to account for a package of flooring glue or tape, which costs a few dollars per pack. If, of course, you still have leftover tiles, you'll only need to pay for the adhesive.
Linoleum tiles cost $3 to $5 per square foot but, like with vinyl tiles, you'll most likely need to purchase a whole pack, even if you're just replacing a single damaged tile.
Vinyl planks cost $2.50 to $5 per square foot but, as with tiles, you'll need to order an entire pack even if you only need to replace one plank. You'll also potentially need a laminate flooring cutter that costs around $125.
A laminate installation kit that includes a mallet, pull bar, tapping block, and spacers are also essential if you have to replace a laminate plank, which costs another $25 to $30.
In general, linoleum and vinyl flooring of all types cost around $36 per hour for installation and repair. But different materials require different amounts of time, hence the cost per square foot differs.
Vinyl sheet: $3 per square foot
Vinyl plank: $7 per square foot
Vinyl tile: $7 per square foot
Linoleum sheet: $4 per square foot
Linoleum tile: $6 per square foot
The total cost of repairing flooring depends on the material, as this impacts the base price of the flooring plus how long it takes to complete a repair. Take a look at average costs for labor and materials for fixing vinyl and linoleum floors.
Vinyl sheet: $3.50–$5 per square foot
Vinyl plank: $9.50–$12 per square foot
Vinyl tile: $9.50–$12 per square foot
LInoleum sheet: $6–$7 per square foot
Linoleum tile: $9–$12 per square foot
One of the biggest cost factors for linoleum and vinyl floor repair is the type and extent of damage because this determines if you need to remove and replace tiles, planks, or sheet sections, or whether you can use a budget-friendly patch and repair kit.
Minor damage that's suitable for small patch repair includes:
Abrasions
Small cuts and tears
Minor wear
Scuffs
Nicks
Dings and dents
Significant damage that requires more intense repair:
Burns
Holes
Extensive tears
Areas of significant wear (high-traffic areas)
Warping or buckling
Extensive staining
The cost to repair this type of flooring depends on if you already have spare materials from the original installation. If you do, the repair costs very little, although it does require time, energy, and the right skills. For a minor repair that only requires a patch kit, you can spend as little as $20 and an hour of your time.
However, if the repair is more extensive and you don't have leftovers, you'll need to purchase matching flooring, which is more costly. Plus, particularly for planks and tiles, if you don't have the right tools, you'll need to acquire those, too. And these types of repairs are more time-consuming, so you're likely better off letting a local flooring expert tackle the job instead.
Most people can handle fixing a small imperfection in their flooring if all they need is a repair kit. These are easy to use and require little time and no special skills. However, attempting to replace vinyl boards without the right tools or skill set can cause damage to nearby boards. In which case you'll need to hire a local floor repair pro anyway, and spend more to fix the new issue as well as the old one. Before you tackle a repair like this, consider whether you honestly have the skill, time, and equipment you need to do the job right, or if it would be better to hire a professional.
Yes, vinyl flooring can be repaired. You can fix all manner of issues, from UV damage and small dings to more significant tears, burns, and wear. Just make sure you match the repair to the surrounding flooring to make it as close to invisible as possible.
How easy it is to repair vinyl flooring depends on the problem. Minor damage is easy to fix with an acrylic putty repair kit. If, however, whole boards or tiles need replacing, the job gets tougher and more time-consuming.
Yes, you can repair a torn linoleum floor, assuming the tear is relatively minor. A heat repair kit is a good choice for this type of fix. But you can also complete it with a hairdryer and strong flooring adhesive.