2026 Flooring Cost Guide: Price per Square Foot by Floor Type
How much should flooring cost? We checked 615 online listings for Shaw, Mohawk, Anderson Tuftex, COREtec and other major brands in late October 2026. Here's what the material itself costs per square foot, before installation, tax and freight.
Material cost per square foot (2026)
| Floor type | Budget (low 25%) | Typical (middle) | Premium (top 25%) | Listings checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet | $2.45 or less | $3.29 | $4.19 and up | 355 |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $2.59 or less | $3.55 | $4.69 and up | 71 |
| Engineered hardwood | $6.19 or less | $7.49 | $8.99 and up | 103 |
| Commercial carpet tile | $4.18 or less | $4.67 | $6.11 and up | 69 |
| Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) | $4.60 or less | $5.99 | $7.99 and up | 9 |
| Sheet vinyl | $1.29 or less | $1.49 | $1.49 and up | 7 |
Carpet is often quoted per square yard. To convert, multiply the square-foot price by 9 (for example, $3.29/sq ft = $29.61/sq yd). Carpet prices above don't include pad.
What moves the price
- Carpet: fiber (nylon and SmartStrand cost more than polyester), face weight, and stain or pet protection.
- Vinyl plank: wear layer thickness (12 mil vs 20+ mil), rigid SPC core vs flexible, and plank width.
- Hardwood: species, plank width, wear layer thickness and finish. Wide-plank European oak sits at the top.
- Commercial: backing type, warranty length and the size of your order.
Don't forget these costs
- Waste: order 7–15% extra for cuts. Our flooring calculator does the math.
- Supplies: pad, underlayment, adhesive, transitions and trim. See the installation supplies checklist.
- Subfloor prep: leveling or patching uneven concrete can add to the job.
- Installation and freight: these vary by job and ZIP code, so we quote them for free.
How we got these numbers
Gomez Flooring Company compared advertised online prices for 615 flooring products from national retailers in October 2026. The ranges show the lower quarter, middle and upper quarter of those prices. Sale prices change often, so check the product page for current pricing.
Get a free quote for your project or call (818) 203-1168. Buying guides: vinyl plank · carpet · hardwood · laminate.