Worked example: 800 sq ft of LVP, carpet removal included
At $7.50/sq ft installed, the floor itself is $6,000; underlayment adds $400 and carpet tear-out $1,200 — total near $7,600, or $9.50/sq ft all-in. The same area in solid oak would run ~$11,600. LVP's waterproof wear layer makes it the right call for kitchens, basements, and rentals; hardwood still wins in living areas where resale and refinishing matter.
- • Subfloor flatness is the hidden line item: click-lock floors need flat within 3/16 in over 10 ft — self-leveler adds $2–$4/sq ft where needed.
- • Acclimate wood floors in the home 5–7 days before install; skipping this is how you get gaps and buckling.
- • Quarter-round and transitions add $1–$2/linear ft — ask if trim is in the quote.
LVP vs laminate: the 2026 answer
Laminate is cheaper and has better scratch texture, but it is fiberboard — standing water destroys it. LVP is vinyl all the way through: waterproof, quieter with attached pad, and better in every wet-adjacent room. The price gap has narrowed to ~$1–2/sq ft, which is why LVP has largely won. Laminate still makes sense in dry, upstairs bedrooms on a budget.
FAQ
How much does new flooring cost per square foot?
Installed: carpet $3–$6, laminate $4–$8, LVP $5–$10, engineered wood $8–$14, solid hardwood $10–$18 per sq ft, materials and labor included.
Is LVP cheaper than hardwood?
Yes — roughly 40–50% cheaper installed ($5–$10 vs $10–$18 per sq ft). Hardwood wins on lifespan and resale value; LVP wins on water resistance and maintenance.
Does new flooring increase home value?
Hardwood returns ~70–80% of cost at resale and is a top buyer priority. LVP returns less on paper but strongly helps saleability in family/rental segments.
How long does flooring installation take?
A crew installs 500–1,000 sq ft of LVP or laminate per day; hardwood nail-down is slower, and site-finished hardwood adds 3–5 days of sanding and coating.
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