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

Estimating Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring Costs

The costs of installing vinyl or linoleum flooring generally fall into either materials or labor.

Material Prices

When you're getting flooring of any kind, you're paying by the square foot. For example, if you have 100 square feet you're looking to cover, you can expect to pay $350 for linoleum tiles since those typically cost about $3.50 per square foot. Sheets or rolls would be less expensive at $2 to $2.50 per square foot, so in that case, you would pay only $200 to $250 to cover 100 square feet. However, if you're getting luxury vinyl flooring, it may cost up to $500 for materials.

Here are average flooring prices per square foot:

• Linoleum tile: $3.50

• Linoleum sheet (or roll): $2.00–$2.50

• Linoleum commercial-grade flooring: $3.50–$5.00

• Vinyl sheet: $0.50–$2.00

• Luxury vinyl plank floorboards: $2.50–$5.00

• Luxury vinyl tiles: $2.50–$5.00

• Vinyl commercial-grade flooring: $1.00–$5.00

Labor Costs

You can expect to pay a contractor per hour or square foot—the per-hour fee contractor fee averages around $36 per hour for both vinyl and linoleum flooring installation. Or, a contractor may charge $3 to $10 per square foot. So if you hire a contractor who charges $7 per square foot, they will charge you $700 to install 100 square feet of flooring.

Additional or Unexpected Costs

Besides the materials and labor, there may be additional expenses you have to deal with. One big one is the cost to remove and dispose of the old flooring.

Also, if you are installing the flooring on a surface that isn't smooth, you may need to install underlayment, which is usually plywood. You may also need an extra adhesive to ensure the flooring sticks. Linoleum will also likely need sealant after installation.

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

If you have a budget in mind for this project, you may be wondering how far you can stretch it for new linoleum or vinyl flooring. Here’s what you can get based on your budget.

$200

You can pull off this project with $200 if you get some low-cost sheet linoleum at $2 per square foot and then DIY the installation (so there are no labor costs).

$900

This is on the lower end of a typical range for vinyl and linoleum flooring installation. This is possible if you cover a small area, purchase less-expensive flooring, and hire a contractor who charges about $3 or $4 per square foot.

$2,200

This is the average price you can expect to pay for flooring installation. This budget range covers hiring someone to install vinyl or linoleum flooring in an average-sized room.

$3,500

You may pay on the higher end if you spring for, say, luxury vinyl flooring and you want to cover a larger room.

$5,000+

Your project could cost $5,000 or more if you get high-end luxury tiles with flooring installed in multiple rooms in your home.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Vinyl or Linoleum Flooring Myself?

If you install vinyl or linoleum flooring yourself, the only cost will be for materials. In that case, it’s as simple as multiplying the square footage you want to cover by the average cost per square foot of the type of flooring. If you do it yourself, you could cover a 100-square-foot space for between $200 and $500, depending on your flooring choice.

Cost to Install It Myself vs. Hiring a Contractor 

Hiring a contractor adds another $3 to $10 to the per-square-foot costs of installing linoleum and vinyl flooring. As a result, if you’re covering 100 square feet worth of flooring, you’ll pay $300 to $1,000 more to get the job done.

Note that contractors have the time, tools, and know-how to complete the project and dispose of any debris in a time-efficient manner. The cost to repair vinyl or linoleum flooring can be up to $1,800. You may want to contact a flooring installer near you and get a quote to evaluate whether or not to do it yourself.

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

Three main factors influence the cost of a project.

Size of the Space

Space is the most significant factor since you're generally buying flooring on a per-square-foot basis. As a result, the larger the space you need to cover, the more flooring you will need, and the more your project will cost.

Type of Materials

Vinyl and linoleum flooring materials have a wide range of costs, going from as little as $2 per square foot for linoleum sheets to $5 per square foot for luxury vinyl. As a result, the cost of your project can more than double if you go with a more expensive flooring option.

Additional Costs

You may have to pay extra costs if you have uneven flooring and, therefore, need an underlayer of plywood installed. Also, you may need to hire someone to remove and haul away the old flooring. Your new floor may need to be sealed depending on which type of material you chose for the project.

FAQs About Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring

What is the difference between vinyl and linoleum?

While linoleum flooring is made from natural materials like linseed oil, limestone, and cork, vinyl is made from synthetic materials.

What lasts longer, vinyl or linoleum?

Vinyl has a longer lifespan than linoleum and tends to be more durable. As a result, it may be worth it to pay the extra price for vinyl.

What is the disadvantage of vinyl flooring?

While vinyl flooring has a longer lifespan than linoleum, it doesn't last as long as wood flooring. Also, it can be difficult to remove due to the adhesives used to install it.