Home & Garden
Here's How Much It Really Costs To Update Your Floors
Replacing dated carpets and mismatched linoleum makes a world of difference in any home.
Flooring can make or break a room or living space. If your floors are dated or dingy, the rest of your house will feel that way, too. A good throw rug may be a temporary solution, but the real lasting fix is to update your floors once and for all.
Before you start calling contractors, take a look at these common flooring and carpeting upgrades and their average costs.
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Repair Your Existing Wood Floors
If your existing hardwood floors have some wear and tear but are still structurally sound, having them repaired may be your best bet. Some homeowners opt for DIY touch-up kits and pre-mixed wood fillers, but hiring a professional wood floor repair contractor will almost always yield better results.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average homeowner spends between $430 and $1,350 to have their wood floors professionally repaired. The size of the area needing repair and extent of the damage accounts for most of the variation in cost.
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Refinish Your Existing Wood Floors
If your existing floors look old and worn, refinishing them can be a cost-effective way to make them look like new again. Refinishing hardwood floors involves sanding the current finish down to the original bare wood and then adding a protective layer.
This can be a DIY job, but it comes with many risks and potential hidden costs. For example, if your floor has already been sanded down several times, the wood could be too thin for another refinishing and may have to be replaced entirely. A wood refinishing professional would recognize this before he or she began sanding.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average cost to refinish hardwood floors is $970 to $1,250 per 300 square feet. The exact amount will vary based on location, floor material and floor condition.
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Install New Wood Flooring
Many homeowners opt to replace carpeting, tile or damaged wood flooring with genuine or engineered wood flooring. Solid wood flooring tends to be more expensive than engineered wood flooring, but it's also more durable than composite wood and can last for decades with proper maintenance.
That said, engineered wood flooring is often a good choice for people with pets or spill-prone children. It's still sensitive to moisture and fluctuating temperatures, but less so than solid wood flooring.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average homeowner spends between $2,500 and $6,740 to install new wood flooring. The type of wood (solid versus composite), grade and cut of the wood, and the size of the job account for most variations in cost.
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Repair Your Existing Laminate Flooring
If your existing laminate floors have cracked, buckled or become stained over the years, repairs can typically be done in a matter of hours. Laminate flooring is designed for quick and easy replacement of damaged floorboards, so a professional can usually replace the problematic portion of your floor while leaving the rest untouched.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average cost to repair laminate wood flooring is $740, with most homeowners paying between $320 and $1,160. The type of laminate and size of the area needing repair accounts for most of the cost variation.
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Install New Laminate Flooring
Many homeowners opt for laminate flooring as a relatively affordable and low-maintenance way to achieve the look of genuine wood flooring. Laminate flooring is typically more durable than solid or manufactured wood, and it's highly resistant to scratching and dents.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average cost to install laminate wood flooring is $2,810, with most homeowners spending between $1,400 and $4,230. The laminate's finish, abrasion rating and other add-ons your contractor might recommend account for most of the variations in cost.
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Clean Your Existing Carpets
Experts advise homeowners to clean carpets annually or even biannually, depending on traffic and how much dirt gets dragged in. But most people have their carpets professionally cleaned far less often than recommended and end up needing to replace them sooner than if they'd been properly maintained.
If your current carpet is stained, musty or has an odor, a professional cleaning may help to get it looking and smelling more like new.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average homeowner pays between $120 and $230 for a professional carpet cleaning.
Repair Your Existing Carpets
If you have a burn or permanent stain in your carpet, there's not much that can be done besides cutting out that area and replacing it. A carpet repair service professional can create a replacement patch that will blend in with your existing carpet and will cost significantly less than replacing the entire thing.
If your carpet is rippling, it means you have a humidity problem in your home. A dehumidifier or the changing of seasons could fix this, but if not, a professional will need to come and re-stretch your carpet.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average homeowner pays in the range of $130 to $270 for professional carpet repairs. The size and scope of the repair account for most variations in cost.
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Install New Carpeting
Replacing your existing carpet or installing new carpet over a concrete, tile or wood floor will instantly transform the space. The cost of doing this will vary widely based on the quality of materials used and size of the area being carpeted.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the cost of carpet materials can range from $1 to $20 per square foot, while labor typically costs between 50 cents and $1 per square foot. The average homeowner spends between $760 and $2,520 to install or replace carpet.
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Repair Your Existing Vinyl or Linoleum Flooring
Vinyl and linoleum flooring are common in many homes, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Over time, though, these floors get scratched, scuffed and burned. They can also buckle if the flooring wasn't installed correctly or if proper adhesive wasn't utilized.
That said, vinyl and linoleum floor repairs are a common type of maintenance that can usually be completed within a few hours.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average homeowner pays between $210 and $920 for professional vinyl and linoleum floor repairs.
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Install New Vinyl or Linoleum Floors
Vinyl and linoleum are both affordable flooring options that can last for years when they're properly maintained. Since both materials are lightweight and easy to work with, some homeowners with DIY experience opt to install vinyl or linoleum flooring themselves. Precisely measuring the materials and cutting them to the exact size can be tricky, though, and laying vinyl or linoleum out properly to prevent bubbles is really best done by a professional.
Average Cost: The cost will vary based on the quality, type and amount of materials used. According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average homeowner pays between $786 and $2,606 to install new vinyl and linoleum flooring.
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Repair Your Existing Tile and Grout Floors
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are commonly found on bathroom floors. If yours are stained or faded, a good cleaning may be all you need to make your floor look like new again. Although many homeowners opt to DIY tile and grout cleaning, a professional tile contractor has the tools and experience to achieve better results while minimizing the risk of damage.
An experienced tile contractor is also who you should call to repair and replace any cracked tiles. Because removing and replacing tiles requires such precision, this is a task best left to a professional.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average cost for tile and grout repair is about $420 per project, with a typical range of $260 to $590.
Install New Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring
Although ceramic and porcelain tile flooring is typically more expensive than vinyl and linoleum, it’s impressively durable and easy to clean and maintain. With correct installation from an experienced tiler, your new tile floor can last up to 20 years without needing any major repairs.
Average Cost: According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average cost to install porcelain or ceramic tile flooring is $1,170, and most homeowners spend between $860 and $2,690. The quality of materials and size of the job account for most variations in cost.
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It's important to note that if your subfloor, joists or other structural elements need work, you should expect pay considerably more in labor and materials no matter which type of flooring you choose.
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