Flooring Cost Calculator
Comprehensive flooring budget estimator that compares DIY material-only costs against professional contractor turnkey installation across all major flooring categories.
Formula
Total Cost = (Sq Ft × Material Rate) + (Sq Ft × Labor Rate) + Tearout + Subfloor Prep
1. Material Cost = Sq Ft × (1 + Waste %) × Material Rate 2. Labor Cost = Sq Ft × Labor Rate 3. Demo Cost = Tear-out ? (Sq Ft × $1.50) : 0 4. Total Turnkey Budget = Material + Labor + Demo
Inputs
- Total Project Area
- Flooring Material Type
- Old Floor Tear-Out & Disposal?
Worked example
Replacing old carpet with waterproof LVP across 500 sq ft with professional contractor installation.
Outcome: Material cost (with 10% waste = 550 sq ft) is $1,925. Professional labor is $1,250. Old floor tear-out is $750. Total turnkey installed cost: ~$3,925 (DIY savings: ~$2,000).
What is the cheapest flooring to install?
Laminate and standard luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are the most economical, both in terms of material cost ($1.50–$3.50/sq ft) and simple DIY click-lock installation.