Congratulations on buying your first home! Now comes the hard part: buying flooring that fits within your budget. Unlike when you’re renting, you’re responsible for the costs, which can be overwhelming, especially when you’re adding up all the expenses like the mortgage, moving costs and other home updates.
The team at Floor Inspirations has been there and we help first-time homeowners in Houston find flooring that fits their needs and budget every week. Many wonder how much money they should set aside for flooring. This answer tends to vary.
What Affects Your Flooring Budget?
Flooring prices vary so much. Before we start crunching the numbers, we should talk about the factors that make a difference:
- Subfloor Conditions: Some subfloors need repairs, leveling or moisture treatment before flooring installation, which creates an additional expense. Older homes or those with previous water damage often need these repairs, early assessments prevent this from being a surprise cost later.
- Room Complexity: Straight, open rooms make installing flooring a breeze. Meanwhile, staircases, hallways, irregular shapes and rooms with more transitions require more labor and material waste, adding to the total later.
- Material Grade: Each flooring material has varying levels of quality that range from entry-level to premium. For example, a $2-per-square-foot LVP and $7-per-square-foot LVP are very different. The grade you choose will shift your budget significantly.
- Installation Method: Glue-down and nail-down installations require more time and skill than a floating floor. Labor costs tend to be higher, specifically for hardwood and tile.
- Removal and Disposal: Unless you’re moving into a custom build, you have to account for costs of removing and hauling away old flooring materials. This tends to be $1-$2 per square foot on top of installation.
At our Houston flooring showroom, we’re straightforward about the additional costs of flooring installation. When you reach out to us, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for before our team starts working.
Flooring Prices By Materials
Many homeowners choose to mix and match flooring materials. However, by knowing how much each material costs per square foot, you can add up the total costs to see if your choices fit your budget. Below we break down the prices, including materials and labor:
Hardwood Flooring
Add character, resale value and the possibility of refinishing with hardwood flooring, the best long-term investment on the market. It’s a staple of living rooms, dining rooms and other spaces throughout Houston homes. Expect to pay:
- 250 sq ft: $2,750 – $5,000
- 500 sq ft: $5,500 – $10,000
- 1,000 sq ft: $11,000 – $20,000
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
If you’re looking for a practical flooring option, choose LVP. It’s waterproof, scratch-resistant and has an image layer that makes it looks similar to hardwood. The waterproof core is perfect for moisture-prone areas. Just note that no floor is 100% waterproof so you should wipe up standing water. Here are the costs:
- 250 sq ft: $875 – $2,500
- 500 sq ft: $1,750 – $5,000
- 1,000 sq ft: $3,500 – $10,000
Tile Flooring
Tile can be found throughout the home, but is most common in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. That’s because it can stand up to moisture better than many of its counterparts and stand up to daily life for decades. Depending on whether you choose ceramic, porcelain or natural stone, prices can vary. Budget for the following:
- 250 sq ft: $1,250 – $5,750
- 500 sq ft: $2,500 – $11,500
- 1,000 sq ft: $5,000 – $23,000
Carpet
Far from outdated, carpet is still a favorite in Houston. Comfortable underfoot, reduces sound between floors and creates a warmer, quieter feel in sleeping areas, it’s the budget flooring option that lets you hit the ground running. Check out pricing below:
- 250 sq ft: $520 – $1,625
- 500 sq ft: $1,040 – $3,250
- 1,000 sq ft: $2,080 – $6,500
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is an affordable wood-look floor. It stands up to wear and is water-resistant, not waterproof. This means it can take on small splashes and spills as long as you wipe them up right away, which makes it perfect for bedrooms, offices and living rooms. Typical prices are:
- 250 sq ft: $750 – $2,250
- 500 sq ft: $1,500 – $4,500
- 1,000 sq ft: $3,000 – $9,000
How to Build Your Flooring Budget
Think about each room and choose your material accordingly. Waterproof, durable materials like LVP or tile are great kitchens and bathrooms, while carpet and laminate can cover bedrooms and less busy areas of the home. You don’t have to install new flooring in every room at once either. At Floor Inspirations, we’ll help you get it right. We know you have enough stress as a first-time homeowner and want you to find what you need, not what we want to clear off the sales floor.
Ready to get the numbers? Bring your measurements and wishlist to our Houston showroom or contact us to book an in-home consultation today!
