Flooring cost in 2026
Reviewed and updated by the Fixerlane editorial team · How we research
What other publishers report flooring costs, what moves the price, and how to tell whether two quotes are really for the same work.
Typical prices
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood floor installation | $6–$18 per sq ftThis Old House, updated Jun 2026 | This Old Houseupdated Jun 2026 |
| $2,481–$7,026 per jobBob Vila: average $4,721Bob Vila, updated Oct 2023 | Bob Vilaupdated Oct 2023 | |
| $2,800–$6,400 per jobFixr: national average $4,017Fixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 | |
| Hardwood floor refinishing | $3–$8 per sq ftThis Old House, updated Jun 2026 | This Old Houseupdated Jun 2026 |
| $1,098–$2,653 per jobBob Vila, updated May 2024 | Bob Vilaupdated May 2024 | |
| Tile floor installation | $8–$14 per sq ftFixr: $1,000–$5,000 in total, average $3,500Fixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
| Carpet installation | $3–$11 per sq ftThis Old House, updated Jun 2026 | This Old Houseupdated Jun 2026 |
| $1.36–$13.58 per sq ftFixr: national average $7.47 per sq ftFixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
How we got these. Fixerlane does not set prices and these are not our figures. They are the ranges published by This Old House, Bob Vila and Fixr, read from each page on October 4, 2026 and linked so you can check them. Each publisher measures differently, so the ranges do not always agree. Your quote depends on your home, your area and the exact job — the things below are what move it.
Where the sources disagree
- Carpet installed: This Old House says $3–$11 per sq ft; Fixr gives a wider $1.36–$13.58. (This Old House, Fixr)
What changes the price
- Floor area, plus a waste allowance for cuts
- Material: carpet, vinyl, laminate, engineered or solid hardwood, tile
- Removing and disposing of the old floor
- Subfloor repair or levelling before the new floor goes down
- Stairs, which are priced per step
- Moving furniture and appliances, which some installers charge for
What pros ask before quoting
These are the questions flooring pros listed on Fixerlane ask before they will quote. Each one is a variable that moves the price — which is why having answers ready gets you a firmer number faster.
- Property type
- Commonly offered: Commercial · Residential
- Install type
- Commonly offered: Carpet · Concrete · Engineered hardwood · Laminate · Linoleum · Luxury vinyl flooring
- Tile type
- Commonly offered: Ceramic · Mosaic · Natural stone · Porcelain
- Special features of current flooring
- Commonly offered: Floor fixtures · Irregular shape · Radiant floor heating · Stairs
- Carpet material
- Commonly offered: Berber · Eco friendly · Plush
- Work needed
- Commonly offered: Dye carpet · Install new carpet pad · Partial replacement · Repair · Restretch carpet to fit
- Reason for repair
- Commonly offered: Burned melted · Discoloration staining · Needs restretching · Reattach to tack strip · Tears rips · Water
- Current carpeting
- Commonly offered: Berber · Plush
How pros quote
Fixed price
The scope is clear enough to put a number on the whole job. The risk of it running long sits with the pro, which is why they will want the scope pinned down first.
Hourly or day rate
Used where nobody yet knows what is wrong, or the work is open-ended. Fair for diagnosis; a warning sign on a job that could have been specified.
Per unit
Priced by square foot, per fixture, per window. Easy to compare between pros — as long as you check what a "unit" includes.
Call-out plus work
A fixed fee to attend, then the job on top. Common for emergency and repair work. Ask whether the call-out comes off the final bill.
Comparing quotes fairly
Two quotes are only comparable if they cover the same job. Before you judge on price, check each one states:
- The scope, in plain words rather than a trade shorthand
- Which materials are included, and who supplies them
- Whether disposal and clean-up are in the price
- Making good afterwards — patching, painting, reinstating
- The payment schedule, tied to visible milestones
- A start date and a realistic finish window
- What happens if something unexpected is found
A quote well below the others is usually a smaller job, not a better deal. Ask what it excludes before assuming it is the bargain.
What the flooring market looks like
Fixerlane lists flooring pros across 51 states and 2,617 cities. About 19% are one-person businesses and 72% are small teams of two to nine. The typical business has been trading 8 years.
That mix matters for price. A sole trader carries lower overheads and is often cheaper for a small job; a larger firm can field a crew, carry more insurance and start sooner on a big one. Neither is better — they suit different work.
Common questions
- Refinish or replace hardwood floors?
- If the boards are solid and thick enough, refinishing is usually much cheaper than replacing. Deep damage, water stains through the wood or boards already sanded thin may mean replacing.
- Is removing old flooring included?
- Not always. Ask whether tear-out and disposal are in the quote and what happens if the subfloor needs repair.
- How much extra flooring should I buy?
- Installers add a waste allowance for cuts, more for diagonal layouts and patterned tile. Ask your installer what they allow, and keep a box of leftovers for repairs.
- Should flooring acclimate before it is installed?
- Wood and some other materials should sit in the room before installation, following the manufacturer's instructions. Ask the installer about acclimation and moisture testing.
Get a real number
Published ranges tell you what is normal; only a pro who has seen your job can tell you what yours costs. Find flooring pros near you and ask two or three.
Find flooring pros