Home Services
Flooring
Flooring is one of the highest-impact upgrades in any home. Compare materials, installed costs by region, and which floors actually pay back at resale.
Flooring spans a wide price range, from $2/sq ft budget carpet to $25+/sq ft wide-plank white oak. The right choice depends on traffic, moisture, subfloor condition, and how long you plan to keep the home. Installed cost — not just material cost — is what matters when comparing quotes.
Regional cost comparison
Figures are widely cited industry averages compiled from contractor surveys, trade publications, and consumer-reporting databases. Your real quote will vary by home size, materials, accessibility, permits, and local labor rates.
| Service | Northeast | South | Midwest | West | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid hardwood install (oak, 500 sq ft) | $8.50–$14/sq ft | $6.50–$11/sq ft | $7–$12/sq ft | $9–$15/sq ft | $7–$13/sq ft |
| Engineered hardwood install (500 sq ft) | $7–$12/sq ft | $5.50–$9/sq ft | $6–$10/sq ft | $7.50–$13/sq ft | $6–$11/sq ft |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) install (500 sq ft) | $4.50–$8/sq ft | $3.50–$6.50/sq ft | $3.80–$7/sq ft | $4.80–$8.50/sq ft | $4–$7.50/sq ft |
| Porcelain tile install (200 sq ft) | $12–$22/sq ft | $9–$17/sq ft | $10–$18/sq ft | $13–$24/sq ft | $10–$20/sq ft |
| Carpet install (500 sq ft, midrange) | $4.50–$8/sq ft | $3.50–$6/sq ft | $3.80–$6.50/sq ft | $4.80–$8.50/sq ft | $4–$7/sq ft |
| Hardwood sand and refinish (existing floors) | $4–$7/sq ft | $3–$5.50/sq ft | $3.20–$6/sq ft | $4.20–$7.50/sq ft | $3.50–$6/sq ft |
When to hire a pro
- Hardwood install, sand, and refinish
- Tile work on floors, especially with mud-set or heated systems
- Large LVP installs over uneven or damaged subfloor
- Stair treads and transitions
- Subfloor repair or moisture-barrier installs
When DIY is OK
- Click-lock LVP in a single room over level subfloor
- Peel-and-stick vinyl in laundry rooms or closets
- Carpet tile in basements or playrooms
- Replacing quarter-round and baseboards
- Refinishing a single hardwood stair tread
Flooring guides
Hardwood vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank: Which Should You Install?
The real durability, resale, and lifecycle-cost differences between solid wood, engineered wood, and high-end LVP.
Read guideTile Flooring Cost Guide: Porcelain, Ceramic, and Natural Stone
Material differences, installation complexity, and where the labor cost actually comes from.
Read guideCarpet Buying Guide by Traffic Level
Fiber types, twist counts, padding thickness, and how to match carpet grade to where it's actually going.
Coming soonRefinishing Hardwood vs. Replacing: The Decision Tree
When sanding old floors is the right move — and the signs that mean it's time for full replacement.
Coming soonEngineered vs. Solid Hardwood: Which Belongs Where
Why engineered wood owns the basement and concrete-slab market — and where solid still wins.
Coming soonSubfloor Issues That Derail a Flooring Install
Moisture, deflection, and out-of-flat conditions that turn a one-day install into a one-week project.
Coming soonHow to Vet a Flooring Installer
Manufacturer certifications, insurance, and the warranty terms that actually matter when something goes wrong.
Coming soon