The Basics:
Carpet tiles are perhaps the easiest to install DIY flooring. Regular old broadloom carpet (think large rolls that need a pad under them and have to be stretched and tacked down) still should be left for the pros.
Saving Money – Since you won't have to pay for the cost of labor, shipping materials, and other charges related to a professional installation, you can cut the cost of the project significantly by handling the labor yourself.
Engineered oak hardwood is a relatively inexpensive yet durable hardwood flooring option for a DIY installation. Choosing prefinished engineered oak hardwood eliminates the cost and effort of finishing the floors once they're installed.
Carpet technology has improved over the years, and modern carpets have stain-resistant qualities. It's also the most cost-effective flooring option on the market. Carpet installation varies in price, depending on the type of material and thickness of the carpet padding.
Installing hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. On average, wood flooring costs between $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor. An estimate for installation of 1000 square feet of hardwood flooring runs between $6,000 and $12,000.
Cost to Install Laminate Floors: Labor Cost
The average labor cost to install laminate flooring is $1,500. Installing laminate flooring for a 1,000 sq. ft. floor costs $800 to $2,800 per square foot on average.
To cover 1,000 square feet, you can expect to pay $6,000 to $20,000. For materials alone, you'll pay $2 to $15 per square foot.
Even if you have the time and the desire to start a manual labor project of this kind, DIY flooring may not end up being the cost-savings you expected. While it may seem like installing flooring yourself will save money on the cost of installation, this is typically not the case.
If you consider installation and upkeep costs, carpet is more expensive than vinyl. Our prices range from $30 to $100 per square metre at Carpet One. High-quality brands tend to be more expensive, but there are cheaper options too.
Vinyl and laminate flooring are similar in cost. They're both less expensive than other flooring materials like hardwood or porcelain tile. However, vinyl can get more expensive as you explore the luxury flooring options. Most laminate flooring can be purchased for about $1-5 per square foot.
Vinyl tiles are the cheapest flooring option on the market. Your floor cost will run in the neighborhood of $1 to $4 dollars for materials and $1 to $2 per square foot for installation. Stone tiles run $7 to $20 per square foot for the materials and $6 to $8 dollars per square foot, at least, for installation.
Installing vinyl plank flooring is an easy beginner-friendly project. Get all the details of how to prep the floor and install step-by-step! We needed to install new flooring in our kitchen/entryway/staircase area. It needed to be durable, waterproof, and easy to maintain.
When comparing vinyl plank to laminate, it's a close race as to which is easier to install. However, the installation of vinyl plank requires fewer tools and steps, so it's the superior choice in this category.
You can easily lay DIY laminate floors in almost every room in your home, including kitchens, since it doesn't have to be glued down and doesn't involve grout or mortar. Planks can be cut with a hand saw, circular saw or flooring cutter, so you don't need many tools.
On average, it costs between $1,000 and $12,000 to install vinyl flooring in a 1,000-square-foot space. This price is for materials only, and it does not include labor.
On average, you can expect it to cost somewhere between $600 to $8,300 to rip up your carpet and install laminate flooring. Prices will vary depending on several factors, such as square footage, materials, labor costs, and preparing the space.
The square footage of a room 12 feet wide by 12 feet long is 144 square feet. Find the square footage by multiplying the width (12 ft) by the length (12 ft).
Durability. Both vinyl and laminate flooring are extremely durable. Laminate usually lasts for up to 20 years, while vinyl flooring typically comes with a 15+ year warranty. However, you can't refinish or reseal laminate, while you can add extra layers of urethane to vinyl flooring to extend its life.
Carpet vs Hardwood Cost
Installing hardwood floors can cost between $12 and $20 per square foot installed, while carpet often cost about $6 to $12 per square foot installed. However, choosing engineered hardwood flooring can be dramatically less expensive than solid hardwood floors.
Typical costs: Installing a standard solid-strip hardwood floor averages about $8 a square foot for materials, insulation and site finishing, and up to $12 a square foot for wide pine planks, or $1,150-$1,750 for a 12x12-foot room.