What to include in a flooring estimate
Flooring customers compare estimates square foot by square foot, so anything vague looks like a hidden cost. Include:
- Your business details: name, phone, email, and license number if your area requires one.
- Customer name and address, and every room or area included.
- Measured square footage and the waste allowance you added.
- The product: type (luxury vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood, tile, carpet), brand, line, color, and thickness or wear layer.
- Removal and disposal of the old flooring.
- Subfloor prep: leveling, repair, moisture testing on concrete, underlayment or moisture barrier.
- Trim and transitions: baseboard or quarter round, transition strips, stairs.
- Furniture and appliance moving, if you do it.
- Timeline, including any time the flooring needs to acclimate in the home.
- Deposit and total.
How to price flooring jobs
- Labor per square foot, which differs by product: plank floors are usually quicker than tile or nail-down hardwood.
- Material per square foot, including waste. Many installers add around 5 to 10% for straight plank layouts and 10 to 15% or more for diagonal, herringbone or patterned tile.
- Per linear foot or each for trim, transitions and stairs.
- A minimum charge for small rooms like a powder room, so the job still pays for your setup.
Measuring a room
Multiply length by width for each room and add closets. For L-shaped or irregular rooms, split them into rectangles and add them up. Round up, then add your waste allowance to get the material to order.
The price list in the tool above uses example US prices. Replace them with your own.
Example: 400 sq ft luxury vinyl plank estimate
| Item | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Remove old carpet and pad (per sq ft) | 400 | $300.00 |
| Install luxury vinyl plank (per sq ft) | 400 | $1,200.00 |
| Flooring material (per sq ft, incl. 10% waste) | 440 | $1,540.00 |
| Install baseboard or quarter round (per linear ft) | 120 | $360.00 |
| Install transition strip (each) | 2 | $80.00 |
| Haul away old flooring | 1 | $150.00 |
| Total | $3,630.00 | |
| Deposit to order materials (30%) | $1,089.00 |
These numbers are only an example, with material at $3.50 per sq ft. Real prices depend on the product, the subfloor and your area.
The subfloor: your biggest unknown
You often cannot see the subfloor until the old flooring is up. Put a per-square-foot price for leveling and for replacing damaged subfloor on the estimate, and say you will only do it with the customer's approval. On concrete, check moisture before installing; many products require it for the warranty.
Estimate vs. quote vs. invoice
An estimate fits most replacement jobs, because the subfloor is hidden. A quote fixes the price for a named product and area, often with a per-square-foot price for any subfloor repair. An invoice is the bill when the floor is down. The tool above switches between all three without retyping.
Tips to win more flooring jobs
- Bring samples and offer a good, better and best product.
- Explain wear layer and warranty in plain words; it justifies a higher price.
- Mention furniture and appliance moving up front. Customers worry about it.
- Give a start date that includes acclimation time, and follow up within a few days.
Frequently asked questions
Is this flooring estimate template free?
Yes. Make and download as many estimates as you like. Free PDFs include a small line at the bottom saying they were made with QuoteToolbelt.
Do I need to sign up?
No. Your business details are saved in your own browser on this device only, and nothing is uploaded.
How do I add flooring material by the square foot?
Pick "Flooring material (per sq ft)" from the price list, enter the square footage including waste as the quantity, and your material price per square foot as the price.
How much waste should I add for flooring?
Many installers add around 5 to 10% for straight plank layouts and more for diagonal or patterned layouts and tile. Follow the manufacturer and your own experience.
How long should a flooring estimate be valid?
30 days is common, because product prices and availability change. The tool sets 30 days by default.