How much does laminate flooring cost?

Installed laminate runs about $3 to $9 per square foot, or roughly $1,400 to $4,500 for a room or two. DIY materials are about $1.50 to $4 per square foot, making it one of the cheapest floors to install yourself.

Can I install laminate flooring myself?

Yes, laminate is a great first flooring project. It floats over a foam pad and clicks together with a tapping block and pull bar. Prep a flat, clean subfloor, leave an expansion gap, and a room goes down in a weekend.

Is laminate or vinyl plank better?

Vinyl plank is fully waterproof and softer underfoot, so it wins in kitchens, baths, and basements. Laminate is often a bit cheaper and can feel more like real wood. For wet or below-grade rooms, choose vinyl; elsewhere either works.

Do I need underlayment under laminate?

Yes, unless the planks have a pad attached. A foam underlayment cushions the floor and quiets it, and over concrete you also want a moisture barrier. Do not stack two pads, which makes the floor too spongy.

Why is my laminate floor peaking or gapping?

Almost always it is a missing or blocked expansion gap, or moisture. Laminate expands and contracts, so it needs a gap at every wall and under transitions. Peaking usually means the floor has nowhere to move.

PROJECT GUIDE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

Laminate Flooring Cost & Project Guide

Everything for your Laminate Flooring in one place: cost by state, DIY vs. hire, the tools and materials, and a local pro if you want one.

NATIONAL AVERAGE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

HIRE A PRO

$1,400–$4,500

DIY COST

$500–$1,800

Typical project: About 300 to 500 sq ft of click-together laminate over an existing subfloor

Skill levelBeginner-friendlyAnyone can take this on. The Blueprint walks you through it, step by step.

Get the Laminate Flooring Blueprint →

Exact cost by zip →Tools & materials →Find a pro →

Source: 3+ benchmark aggregations (RSMeans, Angi, Fixr, HomeGuide) plus Submitted Quotes data

Plan your Laminate Flooring

A quick checklist to get from idea to done. Want it as a printable PDF? Grab the full free version, emailed to you.

1Set a realistic budget using the cost range above.
2Check whether your project needs a permit in your state.
3Decide DIY or hire (see the breakdown below).
4Make your materials and tools list.
5If hiring, get three quotes and compare them like-for-like.
6Plan the timeline and order materials with a 10 percent buffer.

Get the full free Laminate Flooring checklist, emailed as a PDF →

Tools and materials for a Laminate Flooring

What you will actually buy. We flag what to rent versus own so you do not overspend on a one-time tool.

Materials

Laminate planks · sq ft plus 10 percent
Foam underlayment · to cover area
Moisture barrier (over concrete) · to cover area
Transitions and quarter round · 1 set

Tools

Tapping block and pull bar · you likely own
Miter saw or laminate cutter · rent or buy
Spacers, square, and tape measure · you likely own

See all the tools and materials worth buying →

Pro tips for your Laminate Flooring

The mistakes that cost DIYers the most, and how to stay ahead of them.

No expansion gap around the perimeter

Skipping the moisture barrier over concrete

Uneven subfloor causing peaking

Seams too aligned between rows

Should you DIY or hire for Laminate Flooring?

It depends on three things: your skill level, your time, and your tolerance for the riskiest parts of the project.

When DIY makes sense

→You have a free weekend and basic hand tools already on hand
→The project is straightforward with no structural or permit complexity
→You want to save 40–60% versus hiring a contractor
→Mistakes are low-cost and easily corrected
→You enjoy hands-on projects and want to build the skill

When to hire

→Your time is worth more than the labor savings
→You want a warranty-backed installation
→The project is part of a larger renovation with tight sequencing
→You discover unexpected issues (rot, mold, structural damage) mid-project

DifficultyEasy

Most homeowners with basic tool skills can complete this in a weekend.

Not planning to DIY? Find a local Laminate Flooring pro →

What drives the cost of Laminate Flooring

Materials

The single biggest material variable is your product choice. Click-lock laminate and Water-resistant laminate sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum, a decision that can shift your materials budget by 40–60%. Key line items include laminate planks, foam underlayment, moisture barrier, each priced per unit and sensitive to regional supply-chain conditions. Bulk purchasing and timing your order outside peak season (spring and early summer) can reduce material costs by 10–15%.

Labor

BLS occupational wage data shows interior-trade crews earn $28–$52/hour depending on metro area, and most laminate flooring jobs require a two- to three-person crew for at least one full day. Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of the total project cost. Project complexity, custom details, tight access, or non-standard configurations, adds crew time and can push labor costs well above the national average.

Site conditions

Slope, soil type, and existing-structure condition are the three site factors contractors price most aggressively. Demolition or removal of old materials adds dumpster and disposal fees that rarely appear in online estimates. Local code requirements, permit fees, required inspections, and jurisdiction-specific material standards, can add $200–$1,500 to any project before a single tool is lifted.

Rather hire it out?

Find a vetted Laminate Flooring pro near you. We never sell your info and never take kickbacks.

Find a Laminate Flooring pro →

Laminate Flooring cost in your state

Laminate Flooring cost varies a lot by state. Open your state for locally calibrated hire and DIY numbers.

Laminate Flooring cost in Michigan →Laminate Flooring cost in California →Laminate Flooring cost in Texas →Laminate Flooring cost in Florida →Laminate Flooring cost in New York →Laminate Flooring cost in Pennsylvania →Laminate Flooring cost in Ohio →Laminate Flooring cost in Georgia →

See all home improvement costs by state →