How Much Does LVP Flooring Cost? A Realistic Project Budget
Shopping for luxury vinyl plank flooring usually starts with one question: How much will it cost?
The price per square foot is a helpful starting point, but your complete project budget also needs to include extra flooring for cuts, installation, floor preparation, trim, and any applicable tax or delivery charges.
At Plank’d Discount Flooring, our currently listed LVP material prices range from $1.79 to $3.19 per square foot, depending on the product. That means flooring materials for a 1,000-square-foot space could cost roughly $1,969 to $3,509 with a 10% allowance for cuts, before rounding up to full boxes. Installation and other project expenses are additional.
Here’s how to build a budget that gives you a clearer picture before you buy.
What does LVP flooring cost per square foot?
LVP prices vary with the product’s construction, overall thickness, wear layer, plank dimensions, and finish. Comparing those specifications helps you understand what you’re getting for your money.
Here are our currently listed LVP options:
Product | Material price per square foot |
12mil wear layer, 5mm overall thickness | $1.79 |
20mil wear layer, 5mm overall thickness | $2.09 |
22mil wear layer, 6.5mm overall thickness | $2.49 |
28mil wear layer, 8mm overall thickness | $3.19 |
Prices are subject to change. Confirm current pricing and availability before ordering. Material prices exclude installation and other project charges.
When comparing flooring, remember that wear layer and overall thickness are different measurements. The wear layer is measured in mils, while the total plank thickness is typically measured in millimeters. Look at both, along with the locking system, finish, warranty, and installation requirements.
How does buying from a big box store affect the budget?
Depending on the product you choose, LVP at a big box store could be closer to $3.99–$4.19 per square foot. Some products cost less or more, so use the price of the specific flooring you are considering.
For a 1,000-square-foot project with a 10% allowance for cuts, here is how material costs compare before rounding up to full boxes:
Material option | Price per square foot | Cost for 1,100 square feet |
Plank’d 22mil, 6.5mm LVP | $2.49 | $2,739 |
Alternative product priced at $3.99 | $3.99 | $4,389 |
Alternative product priced at $4.19 | $4.19 | $4,609 |
In this example, choosing the $2.49 option reduces material spending by $1,650–$1,870, before tax and any differences in box rounding or delivery. That can leave more room in your budget for installation, preparation, or finishing details.
This is a price comparison, not a claim that the products are identical. Compare wear layer, overall thickness, core construction, finish, locking system, warranty, and installation requirements before deciding. A higher price alone does not tell you whether a product is better suited to your project.
How much flooring should you buy?
Your room measurements tell you how much floor you need to cover. Your order also needs an allowance for cuts and unusable pieces.
For an initial budget, a 10% allowance is a useful example. Confirm the actual allowance with your installer based on the layout, plank size, and installation pattern. Angled layouts or complicated spaces may require more.
For a 1,000-square-foot project:
1,000 square feet × 1.10 = 1,100 square feet of flooring
Because flooring is sold by the box, round up again to the next whole box. You may also want spare planks for future repairs.
What costs should you include besides the flooring?
Installation labor
Ask your installer for a written estimate that identifies what the labor price includes. Laying the planks, removing old flooring, moving furniture, installing trim, and working on stairs may be priced separately.
A large open room and several small rooms can have the same square footage but require different amounts of work. Doorways, closets, and detailed cuts all affect the job.
Old flooring removal and disposal
If your existing flooring needs to come out, budget for removal and hauling. Ask whether disposal fees are included and who will handle the work.
Do not assume your new flooring can go directly over the old floor. That decision depends on the existing surface and the new product’s installation instructions.
Subfloor preparation
Before installation, the supporting surface needs to meet the flooring manufacturer’s requirements. Uneven areas, damaged sections, or moisture concerns may require additional work.
Ask your installer to inspect the subfloor before finalizing the budget whenever possible. If its condition cannot be assessed until the old flooring comes out, discuss how additional work will be approved and priced.
Baseboard, quarter round, and transitions
Finishing trim belongs in your flooring budget from the start. Depending on the project, you may be able to reuse existing baseboards, replace them, or add quarter round to finish the edges. You may also need doorway transitions, reducers, or stair components.
Trim is measured by linear feet, rather than the square footage of the floor. Measure the wall runs where trim will be installed, account for doorways and openings, and allow for cuts before rounding up to full sticks or boards.
Here is a comparison using Plank’d’s prices and a local big box store:
Trim item | Plank’d price per 12-foot piece | Big box store price | Difference per piece |
3/4-inch quarter round | $5.00 | $11.76 | $6.76 |
5 1/4-inch baseboard | $13.00 | $34.32 | $21.32 |
For example, purchasing 20 pieces of each provides 240 linear feet of quarter round and 240 linear feet of baseboard, before cuts:
Trim purchase | Plank’d | Big box store comparison |
20 quarter round sticks | $100.00 | $235.20 |
20 baseboards | $260.00 | $686.40 |
Total trim materials | $360.00 | $921.60 |
That is a $561.60 difference in trim material spending alone, before tax. This quantity is an illustration, not a trim estimate for every 1,000-square-foot home. The actual amount depends on the floor plan and whether both types of trim are needed.
Compare material, profile, finish, and dimensions when shopping; matching nominal sizes do not necessarily mean identical products. Confirm current prices before ordering.
Budget separately for trim installation, nails, caulk, painting if needed, and transitions. Stairs also deserve a separate estimate because their materials and installation work differ from a flat floor.
Underlayment or moisture protection
Follow the instructions for the specific flooring you choose. An attached pad does not automatically answer whether a separate moisture barrier is needed, and extra cushioning is not always permitted.
Confirm the requirements before purchasing additional materials.
Tax and delivery
Request a final material quote that includes applicable tax and any delivery or shipping charges. These costs are easy to overlook when comparing advertised prices.
A realistic budget example for 1,000 square feet
Here is an illustrative project using our 22mil, 6.5mm LVP at $2.49 per square foot. This product covers 22.44 square feet per box.
With a 10% allowance, you need at least 1,100 square feet. Rounding up to 50 boxes provides 1,122 square feet, bringing the flooring material total to $2,793.78.
The remaining amounts below are hypothetical planning allowances, not Plank’d installation quotes or local market averages.
Budget item | Illustrative amount |
LVP materials: 1,122 sq. ft. × $2.49 | $2,793.78 |
Installation labor: assumed $2.50 × 1,000 sq. ft. | $2,500.00 |
Old flooring removal and disposal allowance | $300.00 |
Minor subfloor preparation allowance | $500.00 |
Baseboard and quarter round: 20 pieces of each at Plank’d prices | $360.00 |
Transitions and trim supplies allowance | $150.00 |
Subtotal | $6,603.78 |
10% contingency | $660.38 |
Planning total before tax and delivery | $7,264.16 |
For an alternative purchasing example, flooring at $3.99–$4.19 per square foot would cost $4,389–$4,609 for the 1,100-square-foot allowance, before full-box rounding. Adding the $921.60 trim comparison total and keeping the other illustrative expenses unchanged brings the subtotal to $8,760.60–$8,980.60, or approximately $9,637–$9,879 with a 10% contingency, before tax and delivery.
The labor allowance assumes trim installation is included; confirm that with your installer and add any separate charge. The preparation allowance is for minor work only.
Your actual total may be lower or higher. Significant subfloor repairs, stairs, furniture moving, or special installation requirements can change the budget substantially. Replace each allowance with a written quote before committing to the project.
How can you save without choosing the wrong flooring?
Start by choosing flooring that fits the space and how it will be used. Compare equivalent specifications rather than assuming the most expensive product is the best choice for every room.
Small price differences also add up. For example, saving $0.50 per square foot on 1,100 square feet saves $550 on materials alone.
Then compare complete estimates. A lower installation price may cover fewer services, while a higher quote may already include removal, trim, or preparation. Ask each provider to spell out the scope so you can make a fair comparison.
If you plan to install the flooring yourself, include tools, supplies, preparation, disposal, and your time in the budget. DIY can reduce labor spending, but the manufacturer’s instructions still need to be followed.
Get a flooring quote for your project
A useful flooring budget starts with three things: accurate measurements, the right product, and a clear understanding of the installation work.
At Plank’d Discount Flooring in Rocky Mount, Virginia, we help homeowners, contractors, and property investors compare LVP options and understand material pricing.
Browse our flooring at getplankd.com/products, or contact us with your square footage and the products you’re considering for a material quote.
