How Much Does It Cost to Install Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring?

Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring Costs by Type

The largest factor that can impact the cost to install vinyl or linoleum flooring is the type of flooring you choose. Vinyl sheets are the most affordable option, costing as little as $0.50 per square foot for materials only, but you can spend as much as $6 per square foot on luxury vinyl planks and tiles and up to $6.50 per square foot for linoleum tiles.

Vinyl Sheet

Sheets are the most affordable option when installing vinyl. The average sheet vinyl flooring cost ranges between $0.50 and $1 per square foot.

Because it’s sold as a roll, usually 6 or 12 feet, you may have to purchase more square footage than you need. Some stores will allow you to purchase only what you need from the roll, but it will likely cost more per square foot.

It’s also good to have extra flooring in case you make mistakes during installation or need to make repairs down the road. That said, vinyl sheet flooring can be challenging for novices to install. It’s a good idea to hire a flooring professional for this type of work.

Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) offer a higher-quality, more durable option than vinyl sheets, but you’ll spend between $1 and $6 per square foot for the added thickness and luxury.

Standard non-luxury tiles and planks may be more affordable, but they’re still more expensive than vinyl sheets. Luxury options have realistic wood grain appearances on the surface and may be easier to DIY install than vinyl sheet flooring.

Commercial-Grade Vinyl

Commercial-grade vinyl flooring is more durable than vinyl sheet flooring and is designed for high-traffic areas of businesses. You can typically purchase commercial-grade vinyl for around $1 to $5 per square foot, but there may be a minimum order size.

Linoleum Sheet

A sheet of linoleum flooring costs between $2 and $3 per square foot, which makes sheet linoleum more expensive than vinyl, but it can last up to twice as long. Like vinyl flooring sheets, linoleum sheets can be challenging to install. If you don’t have extensive floor installation knowledge, it’s a good idea to find a local linoleum floor installer for the job.

Linoleum Tile

As with vinyl, linoleum tile flooring is more expensive than linoleum sheets. Expect to spend between $3.50 and $6.50 per square foot. This higher price yields more durability. DIY-ers may have an easier time with linoleum tile installation than with linoleum sheets, but it’s still a tough job that’s likely better left to a professional.

Commercial-Grade Linoleum

You can typically order commercial-grade linoleum for between $2 and $5 per square foot. As with commercial-grade vinyl, you typically need to order a minimum amount.

Labor Cost to Install Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring

How much does vinyl flooring cost? That depends on who’s doing the installation. While material costs for vinyl flooring can range between $0.50 and $6 per square foot but are generally between $1 and $5 per square foot, you’ve got to factor in labor as well. In general, expect to spend between $1 and $5 per square foot if you hire a professional flooring installer near you.

The labor cost to install vinyl flooring depends on the type of material you choose.

These prices only reflect flooring installation costs. If your contractor needs to remove and dispose of existing flooring, you can expect additional fees. For example, carpet removal costs approximately $1 to $1.50 per square foot.

How Much Linoleum or Vinyl Flooring Can I Get on My Budget?

If you have a set budget for your flooring, you can calculate how much flooring you can afford—with or without professional labor—based on the average $0.50 to $6.50 per square foot cost for materials and $1 to $5 per square foot cost for labor.

$200

For $200, you could afford up to 400 square feet of vinyl flooring materials and DIY the work yourself. Alternatively, you could purchase about 30 square feet of high-quality linoleum tile and DIY the installation. If you hire a professional flooring company, you can expect between 15 and 135 square feet of vinyl or linoleum flooring for $200, depending on the material you choose.

$900

A $900 budget affords your much more flooring, especially if you opt for self-installed, low-budget vinyl sheets—up to 1,800 square feet. Because most homeowners might opt for a higher-quality floor that’s professionally installed, plan for between 80 and 600 square feet of flooring for $900.

$2,200

At $2,200, you can get between 340 and 4,400 square feet of vinyl or linoleum flooring. But if you hire a local tile flooring contractor, your $2,200 budget will likely get you installed between 190 and 1,465 square feet of floors.

$3,500

With $3,500, you can self-install 7,000 square feet of low-grade vinyl flooring or 500 square feet of higher-quality linoleum tile. If you enlist professional assistance, your range reduces to between 305 and 2,335 square feet since some of your budget goes to labor.

$5,000+

If you budget $5,000 for flooring upgrades, you can purchase 10,000 square feet of vinyl flooring rolls. But with that kind of budget, you’re more likely to enlist professional help and buy higher-quality materials, which could reduce the project size to as little as 435 square feet—perhaps a first-floor project.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Install Linoleum or Vinyl Flooring?

Several factors can impact the cost to install vinyl or linoleum flooring beyond just the type of flooring you choose. The size of the space, for instance, can have a huge impact on your overall budget.

Size of the Space

Size is the most significant cost factor since you’re purchasing flooring on a per-square-foot basis. Installing vinyl or linoleum flooring in a single room is much more affordable than buying for an entire house. However, you may be able to negotiate a discount if buying flooring in bulk.

Type of Materials

In general, vinyl flooring is more affordable than linoleum flooring, but linoleum flooring lasts longer and is better for the environment. Even within each flooring type, costs can vary. For example, sheets are more budget-friendly than tiles and planks.

Additional Costs

If a contractor discovers an issue during installation, your flooring installation may involve unexpected project costs, like the cost to replace subflooring. Other common costs include floor removal costs, water damage repair costs, and overall floor repair costs.

DIY Vinyl or Linoleum Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

Installing vinyl or linoleum flooring yourself is a great way to save money, but it requires time, the proper tools, and the right skill set. If you’re calculating the cost to install vinyl flooring on your own, budget for the cost of the flooring materials, any other materials you might need (adhesive and sealant, for example), and any tools you need to buy or rent.

To ensure proper installation, most homeowners opt to hire a local vinyl flooring installer. They generally charge between $1 and $5 per square foot and can provide the proper fit and finish. A professional typically produces less wasted material and can install the floors more accurately.

Cost to Install Vinyl or Linoleum Yourself

If you’re confident you can handle the installation, expect to spend between $0.50 and $6.50 per square foot for vinyl or linoleum flooring installation, plus the cost of a few materials and tools. For a 200-square-foot room, that’s roughly $100 to $1,300.