Luxury vinyl plank has become the go-to flooring choice for remodelers, and for good reason. It handles moisture, stands up to traffic, and installs faster than hardwood or tile. But the price range is wide enough to trip up your estimate if you don’t know what drives the numbers.
This guide breaks down LVP flooring cost per square foot installed so you can quote accurately and protect your margins.
Quick Answer: How Much Does LVP Flooring Cost Installed?
LVP flooring typically costs $2 to $14 per square foot installed, with most residential projects landing between $5 and $9 per square foot. Material accounts for roughly 55-65% of the total, with labor and underlayment covering the rest. Entry-level click-lock LVP in a straightforward room runs the low end, while rigid-core premium planks with complex layouts push the high end.
Use our Flooring Calculator to estimate materials and total cost for your specific room dimensions. Try EstimationPro free to build a complete flooring estimate with labor, materials, and waste factor in minutes.
LVP Material Cost Per Square Foot
Material is the biggest variable in your estimate. LVP comes in three main tiers, and the price gap between them is significant.
| LVP Grade | Cost Per Sq Ft | Thickness | Wear Layer | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (peel & stick, thin click-lock) | $2 - $3 | 2-4mm | 6-8 mil | Rentals, light-use rooms |
| Mid-range (rigid core SPC/WPC) | $3 - $5 | 5-6mm | 12-20 mil | Most residential remodels |
| Premium (thick rigid core, enhanced backing) | $5 - $7 | 6-8mm | 20-28 mil | High-traffic, commercial, wet areas |
What separates the tiers:
- Wear layer thickness is the single biggest quality indicator. A 6-mil wear layer scratches within a couple years under heavy traffic. A 20-mil layer holds up for 15+ years in a busy household.
- Core construction matters for feel underfoot. WPC (wood polymer composite) has a softer, warmer feel. SPC (stone polymer composite) is denser and more rigid, better for uneven subfloors.
- Attached underlayment saves labor on install but adds $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot to the material price.
LVP Installation Labor Cost Per Square Foot
LVP installation labor runs $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on job complexity. A basic rectangular room with click-lock planks is fast work. Add transitions, angled cuts, stairs, or demolition and the labor rate climbs.
| Labor Scope | Cost Per Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic install (click-lock, flat room) | $2 - $3 | Straight runs, minimal cuts |
| Standard install (transitions, closets) | $3 - $4 | Multiple rooms, doorways, T-molding |
| Complex install (stairs, patterns, demo) | $4 - $6 | Stair nosing, herringbone, subfloor prep |
Production rates to know:
- An experienced installer can lay 150 to 250 square feet per day of click-lock LVP in a standard residential room.
- Stairs slow production dramatically. Budget 30 to 45 minutes per step for LVP stair treads and risers with nosing.
- Glue-down LVP takes roughly 30% longer to install than click-lock due to adhesive spread time and drying.
Total LVP Flooring Cost: Material + Labor + Extras
Here is what a complete LVP install actually costs when you add up every line item.
| Line Item | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVP material | $2.00/sf | $4.00/sf | $7.00/sf |
| Underlayment (if not attached) | $0.30/sf | $0.75/sf | $2.00/sf |
| Installation labor | $2.00/sf | $3.50/sf | $6.00/sf |
| Transitions & trim | $0.25/sf | $0.50/sf | $1.00/sf |
| Demo of existing floor | $0.50/sf | $1.00/sf | $2.00/sf |
| Total installed | $5.05/sf | $9.75/sf | $18.00/sf |
Items contractors often miss in the estimate:
- Transitions (T-moldings, reducers, stair nosing) at $3 to $8 per linear foot installed
- Quarter round or base shoe at $1 to $3 per linear foot
- Subfloor leveling compound at $1 to $2 per square foot if the subfloor is out of spec
- Furniture moving, which can add $50 to $150 per room if you handle it
- Waste factor of 10-15% depending on room shape and plank width
Regional pricing note: All costs reflect 2026 national averages. Actual prices vary significantly by region, local labor rates, and material availability. Metro areas typically run 15-30% higher than rural markets. Sources: HomeAdvisor 2025, Home Depot/Lowe’s retail 2026, BLS wage data.
Worked Example 1: Standard Living Room
The job: 320 square feet, mid-range SPC click-lock LVP, no demo needed, one room with two doorway transitions.
| Line Item | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| LVP material (mid-range) | 320 sf x $4.00 | $1,280 |
| Waste factor (10%) | 32 sf x $4.00 | $128 |
| Underlayment (attached to plank) | Included in material | $0 |
| Installation labor | 320 sf x $3.50 | $1,120 |
| Transitions (2 doorways) | 2 x 36” reducers x $5/lf | $30 |
| Quarter round | 72 lf x $2.00 | $144 |
| Total | $2,702 | |
| Per square foot | $2,702 / 320 sf | $8.44/sf |
That breaks down to roughly 52% material and 48% labor and trim. A job this straightforward should take one installer about 1.5 days.
Worked Example 2: Full First Floor With Demo
The job: 850 square feet across living room, hallway, and kitchen. Demo existing carpet and vinyl. Premium WPC plank, 5 doorway transitions, 2 stair nosing pieces at landing.
| Line Item | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| LVP material (premium WPC) | 850 sf x $5.50 | $4,675 |
| Waste factor (12%) | 102 sf x $5.50 | $561 |
| Underlayment | 850 sf x $0.75 | $638 |
| Installation labor | 850 sf x $4.00 | $3,400 |
| Demo (carpet + vinyl) | 850 sf x $1.00 | $850 |
| Transitions (5 doorways) | 5 x 36” x $5/lf | $75 |
| Stair nosing (2 pieces) | 2 x $35 each | $70 |
| Quarter round | 180 lf x $2.00 | $360 |
| Haul-off / disposal | Flat fee | $150 |
| Total | $10,779 | |
| Per square foot | $10,779 / 850 sf | $12.68/sf |
The demo and disposal add roughly $1,000 to this job. If the homeowner handles demo and furniture, you can shave $1,000 or more off the price, but make sure they understand what “prepped and ready” actually means. Nothing kills your production rate faster than showing up to a room that still has carpet tack strips and adhesive residue on the subfloor.
LVP vs. Other Flooring: Installed Cost Comparison
| Flooring Type | Installed Cost/SF | Lifespan | Moisture Resistance | Install Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LVP (mid-range) | $5 - $9 | 15-25 years | Excellent | Fast |
| Hardwood | $6 - $25 | 25-100+ years | Poor | Moderate |
| Laminate | $3 - $13 | 10-20 years | Fair | Fast |
| Ceramic tile | $3 - $30 | 50+ years | Excellent | Slow |
| Carpet | $3 - $22 | 5-15 years | Poor | Fast |
LVP hits the sweet spot for most residential remodel work: it is waterproof, installs quickly, and the mid-range product looks close enough to real hardwood that most homeowners are happy. Where it falls short is resale perception. Some buyers still view real hardwood as a premium feature.
What Affects LVP Installation Cost the Most?
Subfloor Condition
This is the hidden cost that blows up estimates. Click-lock LVP requires a flat subfloor, typically within 3/16 inch per 10-foot span. If the existing subfloor has dips, humps, or damage, you are looking at leveling compound ($1-$2/sf) or plywood overlay ($2-$4/sf) before the first plank goes down.
Pro tip: Always check the subfloor with a straightedge before quoting. Walking the room during the initial visit takes two minutes and can save you from eating $500 to $1,500 in unplanned prep work.
Room Layout and Complexity
Straight rectangular rooms are fast. L-shaped rooms, angled walls, lots of closets, and island cabinets all slow production. A kitchen with an island can add 20-30% to labor time because of all the detail cuts.
Existing Flooring Demo
Removing carpet is quick and cheap ($0.50-$1.00/sf). Removing tile or glued-down vinyl is slow and expensive ($1.50-$3.00/sf). Removing hardwood that is nailed down falls somewhere in between. Always confirm the existing floor situation before you price the job.
Pro Tips for Pricing LVP Jobs
-
Always include a waste factor line item. Minimum 10% for rectangular rooms, 15% for angled or complex layouts. Homeowners sometimes push back on “extra material,” but running short mid-install costs you a trip to the store and kills your production rate.
-
Spec the transition pieces in your estimate. T-moldings, reducers, and stair nosing are easy to forget but add up fast at $3 to $8 per linear foot installed. List them as separate line items so the client sees what they are paying for.
-
Don’t skip the acclimation requirement. Most LVP manufacturers require 48 hours of acclimation in the space before install. Factor this into your timeline, especially for multi-room projects.
-
Charge for furniture moving if you do it. Moving furniture is a liability and a time sink. Price it as a separate line item ($50-$150/room) or require the homeowner to clear the rooms before your crew arrives.
-
Know your production rates. If your installer lays 200 square feet per day, divide your all-in daily labor cost by 200 to get your true per-square-foot labor number before overhead and markup. Read our guide on how to estimate flooring installation labor for the full method.
Common Mistakes When Estimating LVP
- Forgetting subfloor prep - The #1 budget-buster. Always inspect and quote prep separately.
- Using the wrong waste factor - 5% is not enough for anything except a perfect rectangle. Use 10-15%.
- Not checking door clearances - LVP plus underlayment adds 4-8mm of height. Doors may need trimming, which means labor for undercutting door casings and possibly trimming door bottoms.
- Ignoring manufacturer specs - Some LVP cannot go over radiant heat, some require specific underlayment. Read the install guide before you quote the job.
- Quoting material price without transitions - A $4/sf material quote means nothing if you have not accounted for the $200 to $400 in transition pieces a typical multi-room job needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install LVP in a 1,000 square foot house?
A 1,000 square foot LVP installation typically costs $5,000 to $14,000 total, depending on material grade, subfloor condition, and whether demo is needed. Mid-range SPC with standard install and no demo runs about $8,000 to $10,000. Check our Flooring Cost Guide for a detailed breakdown by material type.
Is LVP cheaper than hardwood to install?
Yes, LVP is significantly cheaper than hardwood. Mid-range LVP runs $5 to $9 per square foot installed, while solid hardwood runs $6 to $25 per square foot installed. The labor savings are even bigger because LVP click-lock goes down two to three times faster than nail-down hardwood.
Can LVP be installed over existing flooring?
In many cases, yes. LVP can go over existing vinyl, tile (if flat and well-bonded), and concrete. It cannot go over carpet. The subfloor must be flat, clean, and structurally sound. Installing over existing hard flooring saves the cost of demo ($0.50 to $3.00/sf) but adds height that may affect door clearances and transitions.
How long does LVP installation take?
A single installer can complete 150 to 250 square feet per day, depending on room complexity. A 300 square foot living room takes about 1 to 1.5 days. A full first floor (800-1,000 sf) with multiple rooms and transitions takes 3 to 5 days for one installer or 2 to 3 days for a two-person crew.
What is the best LVP thickness for residential remodels?
For most residential work, 5mm to 6mm SPC or WPC with a 12 to 20 mil wear layer is the sweet spot. This thickness feels solid underfoot, hides minor subfloor imperfections, and holds up to normal household traffic for 15 to 20 years. Anything under 4mm feels cheap and shows every subfloor bump.
Build Better Flooring Estimates
Pricing LVP jobs accurately comes down to knowing your material tiers, accounting for every line item (transitions, underlayment, demo, waste), and inspecting the subfloor before you commit to a number. Miss any of those and your margin takes the hit.
EstimationPro does not just help you calculate the materials. It builds the full estimate, generates a professional proposal the homeowner can sign, and automatically follows up so that bid does not die in their inbox. From estimate to proposal to invoice to paid, all in one place. Try EstimationPro free and see how fast you can quote your next flooring job.
LVP Flooring Cost by Grade
- 2-4mm thickness, 6-8 mil wear layer
- Peel and stick or thin click-lock
- Best for rentals and light-use rooms
- Shortest lifespan under heavy traffic
- 5-6mm thickness, 12-20 mil wear layer
- Rigid core click-lock
- Best for most residential remodels
- 15+ year durability in busy households
- 6-8mm thickness, 20-28 mil wear layer
- Thick rigid core, enhanced backing
- Best for high-traffic and wet areas
- Often includes attached underlayment
Get Free Estimating Tips
Enter your email and we'll send you pro tips, cost data, and useful resources for contractors.
We'll send helpful resources and occasional tips. Unsubscribe anytime.
EstimationPro AI For Contractors, By Contractors Price Every Job With Confidence
Stop second-guessing your numbers. EstimationPro AI builds accurate estimates from real cost data.