How much do vinyl floors cost? What about LVT and linoleum? Here are material and labor prices for vinyl and linoleum floors. Costs for material and labor are both given.
Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring Costs
There’s quite a range of prices between the three materials.
- Sheet vinyl flooring cost: $1.15 to $3.85 per square foot.
- Linoleum flooring cost: $2.25 to $3.50 per square foot
- Luxury vinyl tile cost: $2.70 to $8.80 per square foot
Factors Affecting the Price of Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring
LVT is a higher-quality product than vinyl sheet flooring, so it generally costs more. It’s thicker, more durable and often textured to look very much like stone or wood. Here are other reasons you’ll find differences in pricing when you explore linoleum and vinyl floor costs.
- A good/better/best product lineup for each material
- Thicker core and wear layers on better products increase the cost
- Premium colors and textures cost more
- Discounts for discontinued product lines offer cheaper prices
- Cost of living where you live affects the price
The Cost of Removing Old Flooring
Tearing out old vinyl and linoleum is pretty easy, so it doesn’t cost much. Still, doing the work yourself can reduce your total cost by 10% or more.
- Flooring removal cost: $0.20 to $0.30 per square foot
Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring Installation Costs
The installation pricing for linoleum and vinyl sheet flooring is pretty similar. LVT installation costs more.
- Sheet vinyl flooring installation: $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot
- Linoleum flooring installation: $0.35 to $0.50 per square foot
- LVT vinyl flooring installation: $0.80 to $1.55 per square foot
An Overview of Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring Costs
The following table provides a quick overview of vinyl and linoleum material, installation and removal cost. Costs are shown per square foot.
Table 1: Cost of Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring: A Comparison at a Glance
| Type of Backsplash | Material Cost (sq. ft.) | Installation Cost (sq. ft.) | Removal Cost (sq. ft.) | Total Cost (sq. ft.) |
| Sheet vinyl flooring | $1.15 to $3.85 | $0.30 to $0.50 | $0.20 to $0.30 | $1.65 to $4.65 |
| Linoleum flooring | $2.25 to $3.50 | $0.35 to $0.50 | $0.20 to $0.30 | $2.80 to $4.30 |
| LVT vinyl flooring | $2.70 to $8.80 | $0.80 to $1.55 | $0.20 to $0.30 | $3.70 to $10.65 |
Factors Affecting Installation Costs
The installation estimates you receive will vary according to:
- How complex the work is – jobs with more corners and obstacles cost more than simple installations
- Who does the work – a handyman will charge less, but may not have expertise; a flooring installer costs more but has experience and may also be licensed and insured which provides you with homeowner protections
- The condition of the subfloor – extensive repairs to it will significantly boost the installation price
- How many estimates you receive – the key to the lowest prices is to get estimates from several contractors that know they must supply competitive bids to be considered for the work
How to Save Money on Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring
Here’s a quick list of ways to cut your costs for both the material and installation.
- Product lines change frequently, so look at discontinued lines for something you really like that is being sold at clearance prices
- Remove and dispose of the old flooring yourself
- Hire a flooring contractor yourself rather than paying a general contractor to hire subcontractors
- Get at least 3 competitive estimates for the work
How to Determine How Much Flooring Material You Need
If the room is a rectangle, simply multiply the length times the width. For example, a room 11×18 has 198 square feet of floor space.
For L-shaped space, measure the two rectangles separately, and add the two sums together. For example, if the above room also has a 6×10 breakfast nook, multiply those numbers to get 60 square feet. Add that to the first sum to get 258 square feet total.
Now, add 5% for trimming and waste. To do this easily, multiply your square footage of floor space by 1.05. So, in our example, 258×1.05=271 square feet. Since flooring comes in a range of widths, you might end up purchasing 280 to 290 square feet to have what you need in our example. Keep the excess for patches, a small bathroom or other use.
Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring Cost FAQ
Additional important information is covered in this Q&A.
Is ordering flooring online a good idea?
The flooring you receive might be exactly what you expect, but sometimes what is pictured on a website is slightly off in terms of color. You can’t get a feel for texture or the thickness of the material without seeing and handling it before purchase.
What about hiring a handyman for the work?
If the person usually installs roofs or wood trim, they might not have the expertise for flooring. The title isn’t so important, it is what the individual is good at doing. Note, however, that most flooring contractors are insured while some handymen are not. Choose someone who is licensed, insured and bonded over an installer that isn’t. You’ll be protected if anything goes wrong on the job.
Why is it important to get multiple estimates?
There are two reasons. First, the installers will give you their best price if they know they’re competing. Secondly, discussing the work with several companies allows you to determine which one has the best experience installing the type of flooring you’ve selected.
Isn’t getting estimates a hassle?
It definitely can be, and that’s why many homeowners only get one. They take it, and might end up paying more for inferior work. To do your due diligence, you often have to call five or ten companies to get three to call you back in a timely fashion. Then, you have to screen the contractors to find out their experience.
Using a service like the one our partner offers takes out the hassle. You fill out one form, and three installers get in touch with you to set up a time to review the job and provide you with an estimate. There is no cost or obligation for using the service.
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