Flooring estimate calculator
Enter the room size, the box size and your rates. You get the square footage, how many boxes to order with waste, and a price you can quote for laminate, vinyl plank, hardwood or tile.
How the estimate is worked out
- Floor area is length x width. For an L-shaped room, split it into two rectangles and add them up.
- Waste is added on top for cuts and mistakes. 10% is normal for a straight lay. Use 15% for diagonal, herringbone or a room with lots of corners.
- Boxes are the area with waste divided by the coverage on the box label, rounded up. You can't buy part of a box.
- Underlay and removal of the old floor are priced per sq ft of the room, without waste.
- Baseboard or quarter round is priced per linear foot around the room: 2 x (length + width).
- Labour is the room area x your install rate. Materials get your markup, and tax goes on the total.
Getting the price right
- Always check the coverage printed on the box. Plank sizes vary a lot, from under 15 to over 25 sq ft per box.
- Price subfloor prep on its own line. Levelling, patching and removing old glue can take longer than the install.
- Charge more for stairs. Most installers price them per step, not per sq ft.
- Order an extra box for the client to keep. Matching a discontinued floor later is hard.
- Check whether your state taxes installation labour as well as materials, and set your rate once in your account.
Common questions
How many boxes of flooring do I need for a 12 x 12 room?
A 12 x 12 room is 144 sq ft. With 10% waste that's 158.4 sq ft. At 20 sq ft per box you need 8 boxes.
What should I charge per square foot to install flooring?
It depends on the material and your area. Many installers charge about $2 to $5 per sq ft for laminate or vinyl plank, and more for hardwood or tile. Use your own rate in the calculator.
How much waste should I add?
10% for a standard straight lay, 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns, and 5% only for large open rooms with very few cuts.