So you’ve decided that you need to replace your floor - great! It’s about that time, right? Now it’s time to move on to the planning phase. Here we are with the million dollar question: How much will it cost?

It’s not actually a million dollars so don’t worry. If you want a million dollar floor, you’ll have no trouble finding one. But not many people want to drop their entire life savings on new laminate.

The process of replacing your floor is stuffed with plenty of variables to take into consideration. There is so much to know about replacing your floors; it’s important to consult a local professional and do the research to understand your specific needs so that the process is easier, and you get the best product for you!

The Variables

• Type of material (i.e. hardwood, tile, carpet, etc..)
• Quality & Styling (the better the styling, usually the more expensive)
• Location (i.e. bathroom, kitchen, basement, etc..)
• Floor Preparation (i.e. what’s there now, how many layers, etc..)
• Size (i.e. how big is the room? Any stairs? etc…)
• Installation (cost of labor)

Cost of Flooring

These are necessary elements that will factor into the cost of every floor replacement. From the perspective of a local retailer where you are paying for the product and service, the average cost ranges from $900 to $3,000. With a typical 12’x12’ bedroom, maybe some decent carpet - nothing crazy, the installation is all said and done, this is the price range you could expect.

But beware the short answer!

You want to be as informed and thorough as possible when making a commitment like replacing your floor. I can ballpark costs all day but to make it more specific for your needs, here is a chart that takes the average prices and square footage of the most common rooms to have a floor replaced!

**So tile is a special product! It tends to be more expensive so for the numbers above I averaged it at ~$6 per square foot.

**Also, you could only really use engineered hardwood in the bathroom because real wood does not do well with the amount of moisture that often develops in the bathroom. You know, showers and stuff!

**Last one I promise, these prices do not include cost of installation!

The more detailed answer is that all of these variables are subject to change during the whole process.

If you or the installers start replacing your floor and notice years of mold, rot or asbestos under your old hardwoods, you’ll need to pay a separate contractor to take care of that.

It’s important to keep in mind that every installation is different because every home and everyone has their own preferences! You should always take into consideration that there may be special steps or requirements unique to your installation.

The number of layers of old flooring coming out, your desire (or need) to have floors adjoining each other to be level, furniture moving, baseboard molding removal and reinstallation, toilet and appliance removal and replacement are all very important considerations when replacing your floor, and they all impact the budget.

Where Should You Buy Flooring From?

You could march into a major chain like Lowe’s or Home Depot, buy the best looking floor they have, buy all the tools you need, and binge YouTube tutorials to do the job yourself. You can certainly do that!

But the goal here is to lay out your options so that you can become more familiar and maximize your time and money so that you can get the most out of this investment.

You also want to stick to your budget (or stay under) and get the highest quality product and installation for your new floors. If you are looking for inexpensive products, major chains may be the way to go since they buy their product in bulk to stock all their stores.

However, quality can be sacrificed when a product is bought in bulk and mass produced.

When it comes to your small local flooring retailer, their business depends on your happiness. You can expect a more personable experience from experts who will take all your individual needs into consideration to get you the best product within your budget.

If you’re designing your dream home or just replacing your floor, you’re going to want longevity and durability.

With the warranties and go-to service that comes with small businesses - a local retailer might be your best choice. Both major chains and local retailers have their perks! The theme that keeps popping up here is that you, as a buyer, need to know what you want out of the job and get familiar with these variables to help make the best decision for you. Remember, beware the short answer!

Considerations for Purchasing Flooring

In addition to familiarizing yourself with buying options, look at your living situation so you can base the buying process on your needs. Questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you have children - or is there a chance they’ll be around in the future?
2. How about pets?
3. Is there going to be a lot of heavy furniture or equipment moving around on the floor?
4. Do you entertain guests often?
5. Is this a high traffic area?

You’ll want a solid product that has longevity, durability and fits your style.

On the other hand, if you are flipping a house and will only be staying there for a few months, perhaps going all out on an expensive carpet in the bedroom isn’t the best investment, and you could stand to go cheaper.

Be aware there are multiple versions of most flooring products made and so many times when you find a “cheaper” floor, it is just that, a lower, therefore, cheaper quality.

Look, I know I threw some numbers out at the beginning of this discussion but please remember that they are rough averages. You can look at a product, prices and equipment costs at major chains or you can consult professionals who will help you through the process and install it for you. For both circumstances, you could get a rough estimate of the cost after some research and conversations.

I can’t tell you exactly how much you’ll be spending to replace your floor right here, right now. What I can tell you is that if you use those variables above as a starting point, you will launch into all the research and become familiar with what will serve your needs. Awaken that inner HGTV designer we all have inside of us and enjoy planning and customizing your perfect floor!