Calculate the estimated cost of a flooring replacement — demo, subfloor prep, material, and installation — with an itemized breakdown. National average cost: $5–$15 per sq ft. Enter your project size below for an itemized breakdown — adjust any line item to match your local prices and scope.
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Try Suparate FreeTest for moisture before installing over concrete
Use a $30 calcium chloride test kit before installing any wood or LVP flooring over a concrete slab. A moisture vapor emission rate above 3 lbs/1,000 sq ft/24 hrs is the threshold for most LVP products; above this, you need a vapor barrier or moisture-control underlayment. Installing without testing and discovering moisture after the fact means ripping out the floor.
Never install directly over a damaged subfloor
High spots, soft spots, squeaks, and more than 3/16" variation over 10 feet will show through new flooring and cause premature wear and joint failures. Self-leveling compound costs $50–$100 per bag — cheap insurance compared to reinstalling the entire floor. Walk the subfloor before the flooring crew arrives and mark any problem areas with tape.
Acclimate wood and LVP flooring on-site
Let all flooring products sit in the installation room for 24–48 hours before opening boxes. This lets the planks reach the ambient temperature and humidity. Cold LVP installed in January will develop visible gaps when the heat turns on. Solid hardwood requires 3–5 days minimum. Acclimation is free and prevents the most common post-installation callbacks.
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) runs $4–$8 per sq ft installed. Hardwood ranges from $8–$15 per sq ft installed for engineered hardwood and $12–$25 for solid hardwood. Carpet averages $3–$6 per sq ft installed. Tile floors cost $7–$20 per sq ft installed depending on tile material and pattern complexity. Demo of the existing floor adds $1–$2 per sq ft.
Hardwood can typically be sanded and refinished 2–4 times over its lifetime. Look at the floor in raking light — if you can see the tongue-and-groove edges, the wood is too thin to sand again. Deep gouges, cupping that won't go away after humidity control, or staining that penetrates through the wood usually indicates replacement is more cost-effective than refinishing.
Porcelain tile is the most durable flooring material available — essentially indestructible under normal residential use. LVP is the best value for durability, waterproofness, and comfort; commercial-grade LVP (12 mil wear layer) handles heavy foot traffic and furniture movement well. Hardwood dents and scratches in high-traffic areas but can be refinished; carpet stains and compresses. For entryways, kitchens, and mudrooms, tile or LVP are the practical choices.
An experienced flooring crew installs 300–500 sq ft of LVP per day per person. A 600 sq ft floor replacement takes 1–2 days for installation, plus half a day for demo and disposal. Tile installation is slower (100–200 sq ft per day) because of set and grout curing time. Hardwood requires additional time for acclimation (3–5 days on-site before installation) and finish drying.
Yes — most flooring installers charge extra to move furniture, or require it to be moved entirely. Clear each room down to major pieces (sofas, beds, dressers) and get help in advance. Appliances on new flooring also require anti-vibration pads to prevent the finish from being worn through over time. Ask your installer specifically what they expect for the job site before day one.
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