Installed cost by material
Subfloor condition and furniture moving affect labor.
- Carpet: $3–$7/sq ft
- LVP/LVT: $4–$9/sq ft
- Hardwood: $8–$15/sq ft
- Tile: $8–$20/sq ft
Subfloor prep often surprises budgets
Squeaks, uneven slabs, and old adhesive add labor before new flooring goes down.
- Leveling compound on concrete: $1–$3/sq ft
- Plywood overlay on wood subfloors
- Moisture testing before glue-down LVP on slab
Room shape and transitions
Hallways, stairs, and diagonal layouts increase waste and labor versus open rectangular rooms.
- Stairs: $40–$120 per step
- Furniture moving: $100–$400
- Baseboard removal and reinstall
Removal and furniture are real dollars
The pretty per-foot number often assumes an empty rectangle and a perfect subfloor. Stairs, closets, and a glued-down mess underneath are where invoices grow. Ask whether moving beds is included and where old carpet goes.
- Closets and cuts around hearths add hours
- A second layer of vinyl may have to come up — that is labor
- Match this page to the hardwood-tile-carpet guide for product choice, not for the same sentences