How much does it cost to install vinyl plank flooring? Before you shop for LVP and request quotes from flooring installers, it will be possible for you to estimate a cost range by understanding the cost factors.

Consider installing long-lasting vinyl plank flooring if your home needs new flooring. Vinyl plank flooring installation fees range from $928 to $3,659, with the national average being $2,286.

For more information, continue reading.

Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost Factors

The following are some of the reasons why vinyl plank flooring may cost closer to $4 or $12 per square foot.

When you buy vinyl plank or tile flooring, what do you get for your money?

$1.00 – $1.99 per square foot: The least expensive option is vinyl plank flooring that is self-adhesive or peel and stick. It is often a DIY project, an inexpensive way to cover bare concrete in a basement or give any room a quick makeover.

Since flaws will easily be seen through this thin vinyl flooring, the subfloor must be in nearly perfect condition. Usually 6 or 8 mils thick, wear layers are very thin. Depending on how much traffic it receives, inexpensive vinyl plank flooring can be counted on to look great for 3 to 10 years.

$1.50 – $3.00 per square foot: Although there are a few floating click-together options, inexpensive vinyl plank flooring in this price range is frequently glue-down flooring. Here, you might also discover options for stone polymer core, or SPC, flooring. They’ll be entry-level or “clearance” flooring.

LVP/LVT of high caliber is regarded as water resistant but not waterproof. The flooring is more durable than the majority of sheet vinyl and self-adhesive options due to thicker wear layers. In this category, attached pads are typically included with the flooring. Although fiberglass pad is superior to felt, it should not be the primary consideration.

The thicker wear layer of 10 to 16 mils on vinyl plank and tile in this category should ensure that they continue to look good for 10 to 15 years.

$2.25 – $5.00 Per Square Foot

You can find a lot of rigid core vinyl flooring options, primarily stone polymer composite (SPC) flooring, in this price range for vinyl plank flooring that is very good standard flooring.

Depending on how heavily it is used, you should get 10–20 years out of this material thanks to its thicker material and better wear layers. In this price range, vinyl plank flooring typically comes with wear layers of 12, 16, or 20 mils.

$3.95 – $7.50 Per Square Foot

The majority of vinyl plank and tile flooring in this price range has a rigid core made of WPC or stone polymer composite (SPC). It is often called engineered vinyl plank, or EVP. The flooring is waterproof, includes pre-attached underlayment (pad) to absorb sound and floats.

The design might be click-together or loose lay, meaning each plank abuts those around it without interlocking design. The attached pad, which is used for loose lay, is made to adhereless subfloor grip. The most typical wear layer thickness for most products is 22 mils, with wear layers typically being greater than 10 mils thick.

$6.00 – $9.50 Per Square Foot

Premium waterproof WPC and SPC vinyl flooring is offered here. Even a few options that cost more than $10 per square foot for the material are available. With a thickness of 16 to 22 mils, and occasionally even a little thicker, the wear layers provide the best durability. In residential settings, this flooring should last at least 15 years, and in commercial settings, it should last between 5 and 10 years.

Installation Factors

The labor cost to install vinyl plank flooring is influenced by a number of site factors.

Removing old flooring: Carpet and pad are easy to tear out. Click-together laminate and vinyl can be removed quickly too. Where the adhesive pulls material off the subfloor, perimeter-glued vinyl frequently leaves behind damage. When ceramic tile or fully glued flooring is removed, the subfloor must typically be completely replaced or covered with new material. Between $2 and $4 per square foot is what it costs to remove old flooring and dispose of it properly. If you have a simple way to get rid of the used materials, this is a place where DIY can help you save money.

Wood subfloor repair or replacement: The subfloor can typically be reused despite minor gouges or raised edges brought on by water damage. The subfloor occasionally needs to be torn out or at the very least covered with new material because, although uncommon, it is in extremely bad shape. Expect estimates for subfloor or substrate repairs to range up to $1.00 per square foot. From $3 to $5.50 per square foot is what replacement costs.

Concrete issues: It is crucial to have an even, level surface when installing vinyl plank flooring over concrete. If not, flaws will probably become apparent, and these issues may also cause the flooring to disintegrate or wear unevenly. Self-leveling concrete is used to fill low spots, and elastomeric caulk is used to seal cracks. For self-leveling concrete, repair costs can range from $5 to $6 per square foot. Depending on the material used and the size of the crack, crack repair generally ranges from $1 to $3 per linear foot.

Vapor barrier: Flooring pros debate whether vapor barrier should be used over concrete. Due to the waterproof or water resistant nature of vinyl plank flooring, it is not necessary. However, if your installer insists on installing a vapor barrier and you’re certain it’s necessary, the cost to do it yourself starts at less than 50 cents per square foot and goes up to more than $2.00 per square foot when a contractor supplies and installs the material.

Job complexity: Any flooring is simpler to install when the floor area is large and rectangular. The installation process is slowed down by narrow spaces, such as hallways, obstacles like posts or fireplace hearths, door jambs, and other site-specific factors, which estimators look for when assessing a job. These may increase labor prices per square foot.

Volume of flooring: With more flooring, the cost of installation per square foot decreases slightly. For example, the labor cost for installing 60 square feet in a bathroom is generally $3.00 to $4.50 per square foot while laying 500 square feet throughout the house might reduce cost by $1.00 or more per square foot.

Room clearing: Although floor installers enjoy seeing empty rooms, they frequently need to move furniture in and out of rooms in order to lay the floor. Depending on how much furniture needs to be moved, expect quotes of $25 to $50 per room. This expense might be listed as a line item on the estimate or it might just be included in the installation cost per square foot.

Appliance disconnection: Installers might have to unplug and re-plug gas appliances while working in the kitchen. Usually, each appliance costs $20 to $35.

Stairs: Installing plank flooring on stairs is a time-consuming task. Most installers charge between $45 and $75 for each stair.

What to Consider before Installation

You need to consider a few crucial things before vinyl plank flooring installation.

Wear Layer Thickness

The key lies in the top layer of protection, which is essential for the longevity, durability, and aesthetics of the flooring. You need to choose the one which thickness in mils fits its purpose. There is no need to install the wear layer that is thicker than 28 mils because it will last longer.

Suitability for Vinyl Planks Installation

Consider in advance whether your room is appropriate for this style of flooring. The installation success will primarily depend on this, so you should always check the moisture levels and mold presence before starting the job.

Warranty

Never assume anything about a warranty. The typical answer is 15, but it also depends on the reliability of the producer and the material you purchase.

Vinyl Plank Flooring Prices by Brand

Vinyl plank flooring is produced by many companies. Some manufacturers produce a wider variety of floor products, including vinyl, whereas others are vinyl flooring specialists. Costs, colors, patterns, and other characteristics specific to each brand must be taken into account.

The most well-known vinyl plank flooring brands and their typical installation costs are listed below.

Mohawk Vinyl Plank Flooring Price

The cost of Mohawk vinyl plank flooring is between $2 and $8 a sq.ft. installed. In addition to some vinyl planks, Mohawk manufactures a huge selection of mid-grade vinyl flooring. Their planks come in glue-down, click-lock, and peel-and-stick varieties. Their floors are thought to be fairly durable and require very little maintenance, with a thickness of around 12 mil being the most typical. Depending on the line, they offer a variety of warranties for their floors.

Flooret Vinyl Plank Flooring Price

The cost of Flooret vinyl plank flooring is $2 to $8 a sq.ft. installed. Among the producers of vinyl plank flooring, Flooret is a distinctive company. Their vinyl is made entirely from recycled materials. Additionally, they offer exceptional warranties on their material, which is incredibly strong and resilient. In the market, Flooret’s warranties are among the most comprehensive. Flooret is a good option if you want a sustainable floor that is also affordable and long-lasting and is eligible for LEED credits.

NuCore Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost

The cost of NuCore vinyl plank flooring averages $3 to $7 a sq.ft. installed. One of the broadest selections of vinyl flooring products is offered by NuCore. You can easily find the ideal fit for your home with their selection of more than 100 different styles and colors. Additionally, they try to produce high-quality products at competitive prices. This indicates that they frequently offer flooring that is a little bit thicker and more durable at prices that are lower than those of competitors who offer flooring of the same caliber.

Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring Price

The cost of Shaw vinyl plank flooring ranges from $3 to $14 a sq.ft. installed. One of the largest producers of floors today is Shaw. They produce a huge variety of vinyl products, including various varieties of vinyl planks. These offer both lines of glue-down and click-lock options. Their costs are higher because their material is typically slightly thicker and of higher quality than that of most other businesses. Shaw’s plank vinyl flooring comes with a waterproof warranty that gives customers peace of mind when installing their floors in moist areas.

COREtec Flooring Cost

The cost of COREtec flooring is $4 to $16 a sq.ft. installed. Vinyl floor brand COREtec is regarded as one of the most expensive. Their floors frequently have cork backings. As a result, their vinyl planks are thicker and more comfortable to walk on. This implies that both their material and installation are more expensive. Their floors are typically installed in a floating fashion, but some can be glued down.

Maintenance

Vinyl plank flooring requires little upkeep. No special waxing or cleaners are necessary. Drag furniture away from certain types because they might scratch. It can be installed in damp areas because the material is unaffected by moisture or water. Regularly sweep or vacuum it to get rid of any debris that might scratch it. For surface stains, mop as required. Vinyl isn’t porous and doesn’t absorb moisture, so stains won’t likely last very long on it.

What is Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Vinyl plank is an excellent new vinyl flooring type you can find on the market nowadays. This high-tech, wooden-like composite material made of vinyl and limestone comes in planks and contains a few layers:

• Flexibleor rigid core layer
• Embossed design layer
• Clear plastic wear layer

You can also find added layers like topcoats for extra protection, underlayment for sound absorption, or a waterproof layer. This flooring type is a desirable option for your home because of its top qualities. Let’s see its advantages:

Durability

Although the material used to make this type of flooring is fashionable, durability is its key benefit. It is resistant to water damage, scratches, and staining, which is crucial when you have kids and pets. It comes with a 15-year warranty from the majority of manufacturers.

Effortless Maintenance

This type of flooring is water-resistant, allowing you to wash it without restrictions or concern for potential damage. Even orange juice, ketchup, and red wine can be easily removed from its surface.

Quick and Inexpensive Installation

The fact that the old floor can be left in place after installing this material is a huge benefit. It will be sufficient to place the new layer on top of the older one. Given that this model doesn’t require any glue or flattening surfaces, experts can complete the entire project in a few hours.

Variety of Options

Any type of current flooring can be replicated by the plank. As a result, you can select the design that best suits your preferences from a variety of options.

Looks Lovely

These planks are soft, making them comfortable to walk on. Thanks to various finishes, you can pick out a design you like the most, including:

• Embossed
• Smooth
• Low gloss
• Hand-scraped

Read about Is Vinyl Flooring Waterproof? What You Should Know

Pros and Cons of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Anywhere in the house can have vinyl plank flooring because it is a hard, long-lasting material. It can be installed safely in damp areas like bathrooms and basements. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors, designs, and installation techniques, making it suitable for a wide range of homes.

However, the content has some shortcomings. It is thinner than a lot of other high-end floors. As a result, it might not always be very comfortable to walk on. In comparison to other premium vinyl floor types, it is also more prone to scratching. Due to its thinness, a very smooth substrate is required for the best installation. Remember that the adhesive gets stronger over time if you decide to use a glue-down installation. This implies that once installed, the material is very challenging to remove.

Vinyl Plank Flooring Vs Laminate

In place of hardwood floors, vinyl plank and laminate flooring are frequently used. Both surfaces imitate the look and feel of hardwood. Although laminate and vinyl can also be glued down, they are both frequently installed in floating floor installations. For do-it-yourself homeowners, vinyl is also offered in a peel-and-stick format.

Laminate is more forgiving when it comes to installation of the two materials. While laminate can be more flexible, vinyl needs a very flat substrate. Vinyl, however, is the more robust of the two materials. It can be installed in damp and wet areas without swelling or warping, unlike laminate, and is less likely to scratch than laminate.

More affordable than laminate are vinyl planks. The price for installing both materials in a typical 200 square feet is listed below. room.

Vinyl Plank Flooring Vs Hardwood

In comparison to hardwood flooring, vinyl plank is frequently thought to be less expensive. Usually, these planks are modeled after hardwood. They are given the same hues and grain patterns of various wood species.

In comparison to hardwoods, vinyl is less expensive and suitable for use in damp environments. But vinyl can never quite match the look and feel of a real hardwood floor. Furthermore, when properly cared for, hardwood can last for hundreds of years. When properly cared for, vinyl only lasts 20 to 50 years. When vinyl is glued down, it can be very challenging to remove. In contrast to vinyl floors, hardwood floors can increase a home’s value and make it easier to sell.

Vinyl floors are more affordable and less difficult to install if you’re on a tight budget. Because of this, homeowners who want to improve a room’s appearance on a budget may find them to be a good option.

Conclusion

Because vinyl plank flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses and patterns, it can be used in a variety of homes. The national average cost to install this material is $900 to $1,600, with most people paying around $1,200 to install 200 sq.ft. of vinyl click-lock plank flooring. This project’s low cost is $800 for 200 sq.ft. of installed peel-and-stick vinyl plank flooring. The high cost is $1,800 to install 200 sq.ft. of glue-down plank flooring.

Fortunately, whatever your budget, you can find the perfect option for your house.

For reading, I’m grateful.

FAQs

It can be difficult to choose new flooring while staying within your means. For your decision-making, consider the following frequently asked questions about vinyl plank flooring.