How Much Does It Cost To Install Linoleum Flooring?

Linoleum flooring costs

Installing linoleum flooring can cost as low as $300 to $900, or up to $4800 or more on the high end. You’re usually charged by the square foot, so expect to pay from $2 to $5 per square foot for roll linoleum installation. 

For sheet linoleum installation, the cost will be marginally higher at about $4 per square foot, while luxury linoleum tiles are $5 per square foot. The square footage is the most significant factor when you install linoleum floors. Both the cost of materials and labor charges are usually priced by the square foot, which means the larger the floor, the higher the price of installing linoleum flooring. 

The type of linoleum flooring you choose will significantly impact the overall cost of installation. A basic, economic linoleum roll can be as affordable as $2 per square foot. With a 100-square-foot room, you can get your flooring material for $200. At the same time, if you choose high-quality linoleum tiles - which are thicker and more durable with an attractive, sleek appearance - it’ll cost closer to $5 per square foot. If you choose this route, expect to pay $500 for material for the same project. 

Linoleum material costs

Expect to pay by the square foot. Knowing the size of your kitchen or bathroom will make it straightforward to determine the approximate cost for each material. If your bathroom is 100 square feet and your flooring costs $3 per square foot, it’ll be $300 for the materials. 

For those working on a budget, you may be wondering how to install linoleum flooring in your bathroom or kitchen on your own. Knowing what type of linoleum floor installation you can do in your price range would be helpful. For example, use a basic linoleum roll if you have a small bathroom. If you DIY, it may only cost $200. 

For those who don’t have the know-how — or the time and patience — to do the project, hire a general laborer with a basic rate of a few dollars per square foot. This results in an overall cost of about $700. For those with a larger budget for high-quality linoleum tiles and large square footage to be covered, it could be up $3500 to $5000. 

Here’s a list of different kinds of linoleum flooring to choose from and their cost per square footage: 

• Linoleum roll: $2.50
• Linoleum sheet: $3.00
• Linoleum tile: $3.50
• Luxury Linoleum tile: $5.00

Linoleum flooring installation costs

When you hire a professional to install your linoleum floor, the rate can range substantially depending on the experience and expertise level of the contractor, their certification, the location, the difficulty of the job, and the layout and size of the floor.

Labor charges usually run from $3 to $10 per square foot. If you hire a general laborer with less experience, you’ll get a far better rate and feel comfortable knowing the job will be done satisfactorily. They’ll be held to a standard if they have the proper certification. If you have the budget and want to ensure a long-lasting, top-quality finish, a more seasoned, labor-specific contractor will deliver higher performance, but it will drive up the bill. 

If the linoleum flooring you need in your bathroom is 100 square feet and the contractor charges $5 per square foot, it will cost $500 in labor plus the estimated $300 for the materials.  A professional contractor usually charges by the square foot for labor but will sometimes charge for the overall job or an hourly rate. This might be between $25 and $60 an hour, or between $900 and $2500 for the overall project, depending on the tasks. 

The contractor may ask to be paid by a flat or hourly rate when the project will be more laborious than usual due to the following factors: 

• The subfloor is damaged, moldy, or warped. The contractor will have to haul out or repair the subfloor, which costs $1 or $2 per square foot, plus the cost of disposal. 
• New plywood needs to be laid over the subfloor or needs to replace the subfloor altogether. 
• Your bathroom or kitchen is oddly shaped, meaning extra measuring, cutting, and fitting needs to be done. 
• You choose a higher quality linoleum roll or luxury linoleum tiles, which are thicker and more durable, adding to the labor time.
• The linoleum floor needs to be sealed due to an uneven section in the subfloor or an oddly shaped corner. 

Additional costs to install linoleum flooring

Installing linoleum flooring isn’t always as straightforward as the cost of materials and labor. It begins with the current state of the floor. If you’re planning on putting down a new linoleum floor in your bathroom and the current floor needs to be torn up, you may not know the condition of the underlay subflooring. 

When flooring has exposure to a lot of traffic or water over time, it may not be just the flooring that needs replacing, but the underlay as well. Under your bathroom floor is a layer of subfloor, usually made of plywood. If the underlay is poorly installed or damaged, it’ll likely need to be removed. This will affect the cost of your linoleum floor installation because the contractor will charge by the square foot to remove it. You may even have to hire someone else to dispose of it unless the professional you hire has the means to do it. 

A new level of subfloor will need to be installed and sealed. It’s not expensive for the plywood, but it could get labor-intensive for the contractor, especially if they have to use extra adhesive sealing to make the plywood flooring stay in place as a solid base for the linoleum roll. Finally, once the new linoleum floor is installed, it’ll usually have to be sealed to keep out any leaks or humidity that may warp the wood below the surface. 

How to install linoleum flooring

It’s still possible to install linoleum flooring on a tight budget. For example, if you have a 100-square-foot bathroom, choose a basic linoleum roll and do the project yourself for a couple of hundred dollars. Many people take a DIY approach to a linoleum floor installation in their bathroom or kitchen. It’s much more economical and usually isn’t too difficult as long as you have the time, patience, and a plan before you start cutting. 

Here is what you need to know for a DIY linoleum floor installation: 

1. Measure the floor. 
2. Note the subfloor and determine if it needs new plywood. 
3. Clear out the room.
4. Level the subfloor with a leveler to make sure it is completely flat. This prevents bumps and cracks in the linoleum. 
5. Make sure there are no bumps or cracks. 
6. Mark the linoleum at the lines where you need to make your cut (based on your measurements). 
7. Cut the linoleum roll with a utility knife. If it’s a more durable-quality material, you may need a jigsaw.  
8. Lay the linoleum on the subfloor using adhesive and a notched trowel, which you can get at your local hardware store. 
9. Roll the linoleum with a floor roller, also available at the hardware store. This smooths the material to the adhesive, forming a long-lasting bond. 
10. Let the floor rest. Once it settles you’ll be able to correct any gaps.
11. Apply sealant. Caulking is usually the best for this, as it expands upon application, filling all unwanted gaps. 

Pro tip: Make sure you put caulking all along the baseboards, bathtub, vanity, and around the toilet. This will ensure no water leaks down to the subfloor.