A common question among many individuals is how much does laminate flooring cost?

One of the top five reasons homeowners choose laminate over hardwood flooring is because it is cheaper so this is not a bad question at all.  Unfortunately its not one that is easy answered.

Why?

Desired quality, area of the country you live in, and if you are installing it yourself or having a flooring professional do it for you all play a part in the final cost.  But, the follow is a guide you can use in making your preparations.

Keep in mind that most people are not “do-it-yourselfers” so you not only have to factor in the price of the laminate flooring itself but also of the installation of it.

Price of the Product + Installation Charge (Shipping and Labor) = Total Cost

Average Price of Laminate

$0.99 to $6.00/ square foot

• The more realistic the laminate pieces look the more expensive they will be.  Fake looking laminate (and we can all tell the difference) will be the least expense and there are some places you can find a nice supply for $2 a square foot.  Though you can find some types of laminate for under a dollar I would caution that you might not like the end result.
• The thicker the pieces are the more expensive they will be.  They range from six to twelve millimeters in thickness.
• The more higher end laminates have large amounts of melamine in its core which vastly improves its ability to resist moisture.  Expect to pay more for ones with this substance.
• Different installation systems demand different prices
• There are some brands that come stocked with an attached underlayment.  If so you can plan to pay up to two dollars more per square foot.

Cost of Installation

This price varies so much depending on where you live.  Depending on the local economy, number of builders/ floor installers, and demand you will pay anywhere from $1.00 to $5.00 per square feet of laminate flooring installation.

I have done some helped a friend do some flooring jobs in Anchorage where we got a little over five dollars a square foot because that is what the market bears but then I some people I know in Portland do the same work and they receive less than two dollars a square foot.  Granted I do not know how they bid and I am sure many people are getting more than that but you see the difference.