In this report we break down all the individual costs that are associated with installing or replacing a laminate floor, give you low, average, and high price ranges, take into account different installation factors and drill down into the effect on price by laminate brand.

Like our other flooring cost reports, this page includes detailed laminate flooring costs for materials and installation. Cost factors are explained that will allow you to anticipate a cost range before you shop for laminate planks and get estimates from flooring installers.

The cost of laminate flooring installed is $2.50 per square foot for the cheapest material and more than $10.00 for the best laminate.

The range is narrower, $4.50 to $7.50 per square foot, for the most popular brands and styles of laminate flooring, or $4,500 to $7,500 for 1,000 total.

Total average cost for:

• 250 square feet installed: $1,300 to $1,900
• 500 square feet installed: $2,250 – $3,750
• 1000 square feet installed: $4,500 – $7,500

That’s the overview. The rest of the info below gets into the details of pricing for material and labor for installation. Cost factors are explained to help you narrow your cost estimates as you shop for laminate flooring and get estimates from local installers.

Homeowners should consider factors that affect cost, but the bottom line remains “How much does laminate cost?

In the next few minutes, this report gives you the knowledge necessary to peg a pretty accurate price for the type and quality of laminate you want for your home.

And when you’re ready, here’s a quick, no-cost way to get written estimates from experienced installers where you live.

Overview of cost breakdown

The cheapest laminate starts at around 60 cents per square foot at Home Depot and elsewhere. Most is priced between $1.75 to $3.50 with the best grades topping $5.50 per square foot. That’s a huge range.

Installation labor costs follow the laminate price list below.

But just for the material – the planks and the few installation supplies you’ll need – expect to find these retail costs:

• Cheap laminate: $0.60 to $1.75 per square foot.
• Basic laminate: $1.80 to $2.75 per square foot.
• Best laminate: $2.80 to $5.00+ per square foot.
• Waterproof laminate: $1.95 to $4.00 per square foot.

Installation labor starts at about $1.50 per square foot for the labor and materials such as underlayment or moisture barrier.

Complex jobs with a lot of trimming, and very small jobs like a single bathroom that are barely “worth the time” for flooring installers, cost up to $5.00 per square foot.

Laminate is a good option. Most are designed to quickly snap and lock together. Cutting laminate is easily done with shears or a snap cutter. Ripping first-row and last-row pieces lengthwise is more of a challenge with a jigsaw or table saw.

You might ruin a few planks getting the hang of it, but you’ll still be money ahead by DIY and learning a new skill. Learn how to lay laminate flooring over concrete.

Why would you rip the first piece? To balance the flooring, especially in a small space like a hallway or bathroom. Starting with a full plank and ending with one that’s 1” wide, for example, won’t look right.

Removing old flooring and paying for disposal costs less than $2.00 and up to $4.00 per square foot based on the type of flooring and your disposal options.