Laminate flooring has become popular among homeowners today due to its ability to give the illusion of beautiful hardwood flooring at a relatively low cost. While laminate looks like real wood, it actually isn’t. It comprises of two synthetic sheets of paper that are lined with melamine. The material is incredibly durable, and it is impervious to damage from furniture and sharp objects.
If you are looking for a way to achieve hardwood-looking floors without actually incurring the heavy cost of installing hardwood, laminate flooring is an excellent option. However, you may be wondering how cheap this material is. What’s the cost of installation? What factors inform the cost of laminate flooring?
This post will look into the cost of laminate flooring and some few tips on how you can make even more savings while installing laminate floors:
How Much Does Laminate Flooring Cost?
Laminate is one of the most affordable flooring materials on the market today. According to (RemodelingExpense) the cost of flooring is approximately around $4.00 – $8.50 per square feet. Therefore, if you are installing new floors in a 200 square feet kitchen, you will probably pay between $1,020 and $1,800 for the installation. However, as you know, this is just a national average. Other factors come into play during the installation, and they can greatly influence the total cost of the project and according to (Fixr) expect the cost of laminate flooring to run between $2.00 – $8.00 per square foot.
Factors Affecting Installation Costs
Several factors affect the final amount that you will pay for your new laminate flooring. The key issues that will determine the cost include the following:
1. Materials and Supplies
Materials and supplies remain to be among the greatest costs in a laminate floor installation project. Materials and supplies include everything needed for the work such as the laminate boards, floor installation kit which has the spacers and tapping block, sealant, molding, nails, leveling compound, and much more.
2. Labor
Labor is another significant cost in the installation process. In some instances, it accounts for up to one-third of the total project costs.
Labor includes any preparation work required before laying the flooring and the actual installation. The longer the project takes, the more you will incur for labor as the workers will be paid depending on the hours worked.
3. Post-Installation Cleanup
Another cost you have to factor in is post-installation cleanup. After installing the floors, there may be some cleaning required to leave the floors in excellent condition and prepare them for use. Depending on the amount of work done, you may also need to clean up the yard and other parts of your home that were trashed during the project. The cleanup will cost you a significant amount as well, especially if you have to get a helping hand.
4. Other Factors Affecting Cost
In addition to the above factors, there are other things that will affect the cost of installing laminate flooring. These include the type of laminate, the condition of the floor, the floor size and shape, and your preferred finish among others:
- Type of Laminate: Laminate is available in various thicknesses. There is material that is thinner and cheaper than the others. Therefore, when buying, you will pay more for laminate that’s thicker as it tends to last longer. Always aim for quality above cost as you will avoid the cost of regularly repairing the floors.
- The Condition of the Floor: What’s the condition of the floor before installation? Do you need to remove the old floors and do some cleaning? If so, you will incur more as compared to new construction where there are no old floors to remove.
- Floor Size and Shape: The larger the surface area of the floor, the more the materials you need, and this will translate into increased costs. Additionally, floors with complex shapes will also require more time to shape the boards and install, and this will increase the overall costs as well.
- Preferred Finish: Your preferred finish will also slightly inflate the cost. Some people opt not to seal the floor as it already has a protective coating. However, if you do choose to finish, get a quality sealant.
Tips to Reduce Laminate Flooring Costs:
There are a few measures that you can take to reduce the cost of installing laminate flooring without compromising on the quality of the floors.
First, hire a professional flooring contractor and discuss your budget with them. Most contractors have connections with suppliers of materials, and they can get you the supplies at incredibly lower costs as compared to those in retail stores.
You can also reduce costs by taking care of some of the labor tasks. For example, your contractor will charge you for removing furniture and other items before installing the floors. Take the initiative to do this yourself, and you can make significant savings. If possible, you can also remove the old floors yourself.
Our Final Thoughts:
Laminate flooring is affordable, and it is an excellent option if you want to have that natural wood feel without necessarily investing in expensive hardwood flooring. Have the above tips in mind so that you can lower the cost and make decent savings.
Don’t forget to ask for a comprehensive quote from your contractor. This way, you can be sure of how much the entire project will cost, and this will avoid surprises after the commencement of the work.