How Much Does Vinyl Flooring Installation Cost? (2024 Guide)
Typical Cost Range: $400–$3,400
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The average price of installing 200 square feet of vinyl plank flooring is $400–$1,400* without professional installation or $1,000–$3,400, including labor. This popular, cost-effective, and DIY-friendly option comes in many colors, textures, and patterns. Vinyl and laminate flooring imitate the look of wood at much lower price points to help you create your desired look at a fraction of the price.
*All cost figures in this article were sourced from Angi and internal data.
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Average Vinyl Flooring Installation Cost
Here are factors that will determine your project’s cost:
- Plank selection: The thicker and more durable the planks, the more they’ll cost.
- Square footage: Vinyl plank flooring is typically priced by the square foot.
- Labor: More complicated jobs will cost more for professional installation.
Cost by Plank Selection
Although vinyl is a relatively inexpensive material, not all vinyl flooring types are equally budget-friendly. Vinyl sheet flooring, for example, is generally the least expensive. It comes in large sheets or rolls and has few seams to seal, making it easier to install and more waterproof. Vinyl sheeting is good for covering large areas or rooms with a lot of moisture, but it’s difficult to replace, as the entire sheet needs to be removed.
Standard vinyl plank flooring is a step up from vinyl sheeting in terms of price and appearance. These floor planks, made from multiple layers of vinyl over a rigid core, can be made to resemble wood or stone at a fraction of the price. The thicker the vinyl plank, the more it will cost, but the easier it will be to install. You can purchase composite flooring that layers stone or wood polymer core with a vinyl wear layer for extra strength.
On the high end, there is luxury vinyl plank flooring, or LVP. Luxury vinyl planks have a thicker top layer that offers greater resistance to scratches and moisture. They better mimic wood or stone because the texture is inlaid in the material rather than printed on. The material is also available as luxury vinyl tiles for about the same price per square foot if you prefer that shape. Since this material is thicker than standard vinyl, the planks and tiles are easier to install.
| Type of Vinyl Flooring | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
|
Vinyl sheet flooring |
$1–$2 |
|
Standard vinyl plank flooring |
$2–$7 |
|
Vinyl composition tile |
$1–$4 |
|
Luxury vinyl tile flooring |
$2–$10 |
|
Luxury vinyl plank flooring |
$3–$10 |
Cost by Square Footage
Flooring material is priced by the square foot, so the more you need, the more you’ll pay. Here are some common price ranges for low-end and high-end vinyl plank flooring.
| Square Footage | Standard Vinyl Plank | Luxury Vinyl Plank |
|---|---|---|
|
100 |
$200–$700 |
$300–$1,000 |
|
200 |
$400–$1,400 |
$600–$2,000 |
|
300 |
$600–$2,100 |
$900–$3,000 |
|
500 |
$1,000–$3,500 |
$1,500–$5,000 |
|
1,000 |
$2,000–$7,000 |
$3,000–$10,000 |
|
2,000 |
$4,000–$14,000 |
$6,000–$20,000 |
Cost by Labor
The price ranges above include materials but not vinyl flooring installation costs. Flooring contractors charge around $36 per hour or $3–$10 per square foot to install vinyl planks and tiles. This varies by geographical location, as the cost of living is higher in urban areas than rural ones. There are also different installation processes for different types of vinyl. Below is the cost of vinyl flooring by square footage with labor included.
| Square Footage | Standard Vinyl Plank | Luxury Vinyl Plank |
|---|---|---|
|
100 |
$500–$1,700 |
$600–$2,000 |
|
200 |
$1,000–$3,400 |
$1,200–$4,000 |
|
300 |
$1,500–$5,100 |
$2,400–$6,000 |
|
500 |
$2,500–$8,500 |
$3,000–$10,000 |
|
1,000 |
$5,000–$17,000 |
$6,000–$20,000 |
|
2,000 |
$10,000–$34,000 |
$12,000–$40,000 |
Additional Cost Considerations
While plank type, square footage, and labor are the most relevant factors when estimating vinyl plank flooring costs, the following considerations also come into play.
Design
Vinyl can be designed to resemble other flooring options. The more intricate the design, the more expensive the planks will be. Custom designs come with higher cost ranges. Laying down vinyl in a herringbone or chevron pattern to mimic hardwood flooring is more time-consuming and will incur additional installation costs.
Installation Method
Vinyl floor planks are manufactured for installation in one of three ways: click-together, peel-and-stick, and glue-down. Click-together vinyl planks create a floating floor because the planks lock into one another and not to the subfloor beneath. You don’t have to remove your existing flooring to install these planks. Because the planks must have a certain thickness to fit the tongue-and-groove structures that lock together, this type of vinyl flooring is more expensive to purchase but has the most cost-effective installation.
Peel-and-stick planks have the lowest material costs because they’re often the thinnest, but they also tend to come in the fewest patterns and colors. They take more work and money to install. The planks have an adhesive backing that sticks directly to the subfloor. This layer must be even and properly prepared for correct adhesion.
The glue-down process is the most expensive vinyl plank installation method. It’s the most durable because each individual plank is tightly secured to the subfloor, but it comes with similar labor costs to engineered wood flooring. Professional installers use heavy rollers to press and seal the flooring after installation to make it water-resistant and remove air bubbles. Since the planks can be thin, they’re usually less expensive than some other types of vinyl flooring.
Job Complexity
A number of factors can make installing vinyl plank flooring more complex. Installation in rooms with unusual shapes or dimensions requires customized cutting and more seams, increasing the time it takes. Likewise, installing this flooring on stairs requires precision work. If the existing floors or subfloors are uneven or require extensive preparation, this will also increase labor costs.
Removing Old Flooring
Click-together vinyl planks can be installed over existing floors, but other types of vinyl flooring require the demolition and removal of your current flooring materials. This usually costs $1 per square foot, but it may cost as much as $2 per square foot for difficult-to-remove floors. If your flooring was installed before the 1980s, there might be asbestos in the tiles or glue. This will require special abatement by a team of professionals.
Underlayment
Underlayment is a thin material that can be installed between the subfloor and the floor covering to reduce noise, keep out moisture, and provide an even surface for the planks. Thinner types of vinyl plank flooring may require underlayment, which costs about 50 cents per square foot.
Warranty
Vinyl plank flooring can come with a warranty of between five and 20 years, depending on the brand and manufacturer. Keep in mind that vinyl can’t be resurfaced, so it may be a good idea to invest in an extended warranty when you purchase the flooring. Ensure you know what the warranty covers—it may only apply to manufacturing defects.
Professional vs. DIY Vinyl Flooring Installation
Depending on the type of planks you choose, installing vinyl flooring can be a DIY project. Here’s how to tell whether the installation is a project you should tackle yourself.
Professional Vinyl Flooring Installation
You can hire professional flooring installers for any kind of vinyl flooring. You’ll have to pay for labor, but the job will be finished faster.
Glue-down flooring should be installed by professionals. Although it isn’t dangerous to try it yourself, the pros have the tools to apply heavy, even pressure to the planks to ensure they adhere properly to the subflooring. Improperly installed glue-down planks may peel up, and the flooring won’t be nearly as durable.
DIY Vinyl Flooring Installation
If you have the time, patience, and tools, vinyl planks may be the easiest flooring type to install. Click-together vinyl planks fall under this category, as do peel-and-stick planks.
For DIY installation, you’ll first need to clean and prepare the subfloor and then measure and map out the plank placement with chalk. To trim the vinyl, use a utility knife for simpler cuts. You may need a jigsaw or miter saw for more complicated shapes. You can use a mallet to pound the new flooring into place. These supplies can be purchased or rented for a few hundred dollars at The Home Depot or another home improvement store.
How To Save on Vinyl Flooring Installation
You can save on the total cost of vinyl plank flooring installation with the following tips.
- Stick with ready-made colors, patterns, and shapes instead of opting for customization.
- When possible, think in terms of long-term durability. The high-traffic areas in your home will benefit from planks with a thicker wear layer. This plank type is more expensive but will last longer.
- If you’re not confident in your DIY skills, opt for professional installation to ensure the flooring is properly sealed.
- Get cost estimates from at least three local contractors.
- If you opt for professional installation, ask if you can save on labor by doing preparation or cleanup yourself.
How To Hire a Professional
Hiring a flooring contractor is similar to hiring any trade worker. Here are some steps for homeowners to keep in mind.
- Not all states require licensing for flooring contractors. Do a little research to find out if your state requires it.
- Regardless of licensing requirements, all contractors should be bonded and insured. This protects you and the contractor in the case of injury or property damage.
- Look the company up on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to review its rating, accreditation status, and any customer complaints.
- Find out how long the company has been in business and how much work experience the contractors have. If you have already picked a particular flooring type, ensure the contractor has experience installing it.
- Ask for references. Look at online customer reviews on sites such as Trustpilot, Yelp, and Google Reviews.
- When getting an estimate, ask about project timelines. Ask what’s expected in terms of preparation and cleanup.
- Ask about workmanship warranties on the installation.
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Our Conclusion
The average cost to install 200 square feet of standard vinyl plank flooring is $1,000–$3,400, including materials and labor. If you choose to install it yourself, costs range from $400–$1,400 for just materials.
Vinyl plank flooring is one of the easiest flooring options to install yourself. However, it can be a time-consuming undertaking. Know what you’re getting into before you start ripping up your old floors. When budgeting, balance price against durability. A properly-installed, well-maintained vinyl plank floor can last around 20 years.
FAQ About Vinyl Flooring Installation
How much does it cost to install 1,000 square feet of vinyl flooring?
The average cost to install 1,000 square feet of vinyl flooring is between $2,000 and $7,000 for standard vinyl planks and between $3,000 and $10,000 for luxury vinyl planks. Adding in labor costs brings the total to between $5,000 and $20,000.
How long does it take to install vinyl flooring?
Professional installation of vinyl flooring takes one to two days. Installing vinyl flooring yourself will likely take longer.
Can I place appliances on top of vinyl flooring?
Yes, you can place appliances on top of vinyl flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is durable enough to handle the weight of standard household appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers.
How do I clean vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is relatively easy to clean. After vacuuming or sweeping, mop the vinyl with warm water and vinyl cleaner. Alternatively, you can make your own cleaning solution with a mixture of vinegar, water, and a few drops of dishwashing soap.
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