If your kitchen looks worn or needs a makeover, replacing the flooring can be one of the most rewarding projects. The typical cost to replace a kitchen floor is $3,115, with most homeowners paying between $1,435 and $5,520.
The costs can vary greatly depending on your kitchen size and the type of flooring you choose, but you can expect to pay between $3 and $22 per square foot, or an average of $11 per square foot.
Average Kitchen Floor Replacement Costs in 2022
| National Average Cost | $3,115 |
| Typical Price Range | $1,435 – $5,520 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $350 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $18,325 |
The average costs for floor replacement in a 300-square-foot kitchen range between $1,435 and $5,520, or from $3 to $22 per square foot.
These costs can go up to $18,325 if you have a big kitchen and decide to use luxury materials like marble. Still, you can also pay as little as $350 for vinyl flooring in a small kitchen.
Kitchen Floor Replacement Cost Estimator by Size
If your floor tiles are not in good shape and you want to replace the laminate with porcelain tiles, you should know that kitchen flooring replacement costs depend on the size of the project.
The more tiles or laminates you need to install, the more hours it will take for your contractor to complete the project. And the more time it takes to install tiles, the more money you’ll spend.
Replacing flooring typically costs $11 per square foot on average, so you can use the table below to estimate your project’s costs based on your kitchen size. High-end materials will cost more than the average costs listed, whereas standard or low-quality materials can cost less.
| Kitchen Size | Average Overall Cost |
| 50 sq. ft. | $550 |
| 100 sq. ft. | $1,100 |
| 200 sq. ft. | $2,200 |
| 300 sq. ft. | $3,300 |
| 400 sq. ft. | $4,400 |
Kitchen Floor Replacement Cost Estimator by Flooring Material
The cost of replacing your kitchen floor depends on your chosen material. There are a lot of options when it comes to flooring materials, but only a few of them are appropriate for kitchen flooring.
Next, we will offer a quick look at what to expect when it comes to the different flooring materials and their associated costs:
| Flooring Material | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
| Polished Concrete | $2 – $10 |
| Vinyl or Linoleum | $2 – $11 |
| Laminate | $4 – $11 |
| Cork | $5 – $12 |
| Ceramic Tile | $2 – $20 |
| Porcelain Tile | $2 – $30 |
| Stone | $6 – $22 |
| Engineered Wood | $5 – $17 |
| Hardwood | $8 – $23 |
Polished Concrete
What it is: Poured concrete that has been ground down with polishing tools.
Price (material only): $2 – $10 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Ease of maintenance | ✗ Takes time to cure fully |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Cold surface |
| ✓ Resistant to mold and mildew | ✗ Loud |
Vinyl or Linoleum
What it is: Vinyl is a synthetic flooring made from plastic, fiberglass, and PVC, whereas linoleum flooring is made of linseed oil and other natural ingredients.
Price (material only): $2 – $11 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Easy to install | ✗ Difficult to remove |
| ✓ Budget-friendly option for wood floors | ✗ Shorter lifespan than wood floors |
| ✓ Ease of maintenance | ✗ Not eco-friendly |
| ✓ Durable and waterproof | ✗ Can’t be refinished |
Laminate
What it is: Laminate flooring is made of wood waste subjected to high heat and pressure, an image layer, and a transparent wear layer.
Price (material only): $4 – $11 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Easy to install | ✗ Doesn’t add value to your home |
| ✓ Ease of maintenance | ✗ Can’t be refinished |
| ✓ Easy to remove | ✗ Can swell if there’s too much moisture |
Cork
What it is: Cork is made by grounding and processing the bark of the cork oak tree into sheets.
Price (material only): $5 – $12 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Warm to walk on | ✗ Susceptible to scratches |
| ✓ Moisture resistant | ✗ Requires water sealing |
| ✓ Soundproof | ✗ Not as durable as hardwood |
Ceramic Tile
What it is: Ceramic tiles are produced with clay and other materials, which are then fired at high temperatures.
Price (material only): $2 – $20 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Wide selection of colors and designs | ✗ Cold and hard |
| ✓ Ease of maintenance | ✗ Joints can separate over time |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Prone to cracks and chips |
Porcelain Tile
What it is: Porcelain tiles are dense, smooth, and impervious to water, produced similarly to ceramic tiles.
Price (material only): $2 – $30 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Waterproof | ✗ Difficult to cut and install |
| ✓ Can be used for outdoor kitchens | ✗ Needs strong subfloors |
| ✓ Good for high-traffic areas | ✗ Difficult to repair |
Stone Tile
What it is: Stone flooring is a material cut from natural stone blocks. Some examples of natural stone tile include travertine, slate, granite, and marble.
Price (material only): $6 – $22 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Easy to maintain | ✗ May need regular sealing |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Costs can run high depending on the type |
| ✓ Doesn’t attract allergens | ✗ Some types can scratch easily |
Engineered Wood
What it is: Engineered wood is a material made by binding wood, scraps of wood, and shredded wood fibers with adhesives. A good example is plywood.
Price (material only): $5 – $17 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ More affordable than hardwood | ✗ Requires regular maintenance |
| ✓ Available in different finishes | ✗ Fades when in contact with light |
| ✓ More resistant to moisture than hardwood | ✗ Can be low-quality |
Hardwood
What it is: Hardwood is the most luxurious flooring option. There are several hardwood types, such as bamboo, pine, Brazilian walnut, and red oak.
Price (material only): $8 – $23 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Adds value | ✗ Can be damaged by water and humidity |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Requires regular maintenance |
| ✓ Possible to refinish | ✗ Can become creaky and noisy |
| ✓ Color doesn’t fade | ✗ Needs to be sanded from time to time |
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Many factors affect the cost of replacing kitchen floors besides the size of your kitchen and the material you choose. Let’s look at some of these considerations next:
- Labor
- Removing Old Flooring
- Subfloor and Underlayment Replacement
- Baseboard Replacement
- Moving Furniture
- Asbestos Testing and Removal
Labor
Labor rates can vary a lot depending on the flooring material and complexity of the job, but typically, installation costs range from $4 to $19 per square foot.
Materials like porcelain are more challenging to install, as they’re heavier and need a completely level subfloor to be laid on, and thus will cost more. On the other hand, vinyl and laminate are easier to install and will cost less.
Removing Old Flooring
Contractors will also consider the difficulty of removing the old flooring in the costs of installing the new one. For example, vinyl flooring can be easy to install, but it is not as easy to remove, and the same goes for cork.
The more complex one material is to remove, the more it will cost. On average, removing the old flooring costs between $1 and $4 per square foot.
Subfloor and Underlayment Replacement
While you’re removing your old flooring, you may notice that there are issues with the subfloor. A subfloor is a layer of flooring that lies directly below the finished flooring material. It’s usually made from plywood or other composite materials, and it’s what supports the rest of your floor.
Replacing the subfloors costs between $2 and $8 per square foot.
Underlayment is a layer of material that goes between your subfloor and the finished flooring material you put on top. It keeps moisture from getting through to the wooden subfloor, which can cause damage over time.
Underlayments are considered necessary for vinyl, laminate, and carpet flooring. Installing a new underlayment costs $2 to $5 per square foot.
Baseboard Replacement
If you’re thinking about replacing your kitchen flooring, you may also need to replace your baseboards. Baseboards are the trim that runs along the bottom of your walls and around the top of your cabinets.
Baseboards usually come in long strips, so if you’re replacing them, it’s best to do so all at once. Replacing baseboards costs between $1 and $4 per linear foot.
Moving Furniture
Another factor affecting cost is the prep work required before installation begins. For example, contractors may charge per hour to move the kitchen furniture out of the way so they can access the flooring beneath it—this counts as preparation time. You can save money by moving furniture yourself or asking friends or family members for help.
Asbestos Testing and Removal
Asbestos is a microscopic mineral fiber that was commonly used to insulate homes before the 1970s. It can cause lung diseases when inhaled and is commonly found in vinyl flooring and popcorn ceilings. Asbestos is usually fine when not disturbed, but it can crumble and flake in home improvement projects, such as replacing flooring.
If you live in an older home from before the 1970s and you’re considering replacing the vinyl flooring, you may need to test for asbestos. Asbestos testing costs, on average, $495, with most homeowners paying between $235 and $785.
If the tests come back positive, the costs for asbestos removal range between $1,165 and $2,950, with an average price of $2,050.
Related Services
When you’re thinking about replacing your kitchen flooring, you might also want to consider the following related services:
Refinishing
If your hardwood or stone floors are in good condition, but looking bleak, don’t worry—you don’t necessarily need to replace them. Instead, they can be refinished to bring a new shine and life back into your home for about $3 to $8 per square foot.
Solid hardwood floors are often refinished with sanding and a clear topcoat, highlighting the wood’s natural beauty. This is a great way to preserve the original flooring while also giving it a fresh look.
Natural stone floors can also be given a new finish, providing an opportunity to fix any scratches or damage that may have occurred over time.
Kitchen Remodel
A kitchen remodel is an extensive renovation of an existing kitchen. It can be done for many reasons, but most commonly, it’s done to update the look and style of the room. This might be the answer if you’re looking for something more than simply replacing the flooring.
A full kitchen remodel costs around $23,320, with prices varying between $13,060 and $38,390. It can involve replacing cabinets and countertops, changing the design, and replacing appliances.
Kitchen Backsplash
The backsplash is the wall behind your countertops, and changing it is one of the easiest ways to give your kitchen a whole new look. It doesn’t have to be plain white or dull –you can make it unique to fit the personality of your kitchen with different colors and textures.
A new kitchen backsplash costs an average of $1,150 to install, with most homeowners paying between $695 and $1,705.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
The easiest flooring material to install yourself is vinyl. You can use vinyl sheets or vinyl planks. Vinyl planks don’t have to be glued down to a subfloor; they only have to be clicked together to stay in place, whereas vinyl sheets are usually peel-and-stick, which means they come with self-adhesives.
The good thing about vinyl is that you don’t have to remove the old flooring before installing it, as it can be laid over different material types. You just have to ensure there aren’t any cracks or wide gaps. If you remove the old flooring, you’ll have to use a self-leveler to prep your subfloor.
| DIY Equipment for Vinyl Planks | Average Cost |
| Chalk | $1 |
| Tape measure | $18 |
| Utility knife | $12 |
| Pull bar | $18 |
| Level | $21 |
| Self-leveler | $35 (50 lbs.) |
| Total cost: | $105 |
A DIY flooring installation will set you back about $105 for equipment and tools, plus the costs for the vinyl planks, but it will save you $4 to $19 per square foot on labor costs.
Suppose you’re planning to install tile flooring yourself, such as ceramic or porcelain. In that case, tools and equipment will cost you about $203, as tile involves using thin-set mortar, grout, tile cutters, and other equipment, which will cost more.
| DIY Equipment for Tile | Average Cost |
| Spacers | $3 |
| Thin-set mortar | $21 |
| Grout float | $12 |
| Flooring trowel | $7 |
| Level | $21 |
| Grout | $25 |
| Tile cutter | $100 |
| Safety goggles | $14 |
| Total cost: | $203 |
Cost of Flooring by Location
If you’re looking for kitchen flooring replacement services, it’s important to know that the price you pay will depend on where you live.
The same service in a metropolitan area will cost more than in a rural area because of the higher demand for labor and materials. That means if you live in a rural area, you might be able to get the same service at a lower price.
You will also pay more if you choose flooring materials that aren’t widely available in your area and have to be transported from far away.
FAQ
Can you replace the kitchen floor without removing the cabinets?
Yes, you can replace your kitchen floor without removing the cabinets. You can install the new flooring as closely as possible to the cabinets and cut the flooring pieces so they fit against the cabinet base. If you’re installing tiles, you will have to use a tile saw or a wet tile saw.
What is the cheapest way to cover a kitchen floor?
The most budget-friendly kitchen flooring option is vinyl. You can install vinyl flooring easily for $2 to $11 per square foot, and you’ll get a durable and easy-to-maintain surface that also looks very stylish.
What is the best flooring material for the kitchen?
The best flooring material for the kitchen is porcelain or ceramic. These materials are easy to clean, durable, and can withstand high temperatures and moisture without getting damaged.
Final Thoughts
It may seem like a significant investment, but a new kitchen floor can change the atmosphere of your home. So, if you’re looking for your next home improvement project, this might just be the answer.
After you’ve considered all the factors that can affect costs, find an experienced flooring contractor in your area, so you don’t waste time and money on a project that will fall short of your expectations.
Main Image Credit: Pixnio
