How Much Will Your New Floor Cost?
Enter room dimensions and material cost per square foot to get a full estimate including materials, labour, and total project cost.
Labour typically adds 40–100% on top of material cost — budget for the full installed price, not just the material price per square foot.
40%
of material cost is the baseline labour estimate used in this calculator
$3–8
per sq ft installed is the sweet spot for luxury vinyl plank — the best value flooring
+10%
waste factor recommended — add to your measured area before ordering materials
Planning your flooring project
LVP has changed flooring economics
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is now the dominant flooring choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and open-plan living areas. It's 100% waterproof (unlike laminate, which swells), extremely durable (15–25 year warranties from leading brands), click-lock DIY-friendly, and realistically mimics hardwood or stone at a fraction of the cost. If you're replacing flooring throughout a home, LVP offers the best combination of value, durability, and ease of installation.
Where flooring costs escalate
The biggest cost surprises come from: subfloor remediation (fixing squeaks, levelling, moisture barriers can add $1–3/sq ft), removing existing flooring ($1–2/sq ft for glue-down hardwood or tile), stair nosing and transitions ($20–80 per opening), and waste for complex patterns. Get a detailed quote that specifies what's included — 'supply and install' can mean very different things between contractors.
Sequence your renovation correctly
Flooring should be installed after painting but before baseboards and trim (or at minimum, new trim installed after flooring). Install flooring before kitchen cabinets go in if possible — it simplifies cuts and ensures the floor runs under appliances. Acclimate wood flooring (including engineered) in the room for 48–72 hours before installation to reduce post-install expansion and contraction.
How the Flooring Cost Calculator Works
Formula
Area = Room Length × Room Width\nMaterial Cost = Area × Cost Per Sq Ft\nLabour Cost = Material Cost × 40%\nTotal Cost = Material Cost + Labour CostEnter room length and width in feet and the material cost per square foot for your chosen flooring. The calculator multiplies area by unit cost for material total, then adds 40% for labour as a baseline estimate.
Labour at 40% of materials is a conservative starting estimate. Actual labour varies by flooring type, subfloor condition, and regional rates — get contractor quotes for a more accurate figure. Always add a 10% waste allowance to your measured area before ordering materials.