
Cost to Install a Subfloor
Item details | Qty | Low | High |
Subfloor Cost Non-discounted retail pric ... | 134 SF | $183 | $210 |
Subfloor Installation Labor, Basic Basic ... | 3.3 h | $131 | $313 |
Subfloor Installation Job Supplies Cost ... | 134 SF | $136 | $155 |
Subfloor Installation Equipment Allowanc ... | 1 job | $29 | $48 |
How much does it cost to install a subfloor?
You need to have reliable subfloors to ensure a smooth, level result that prevents squeaking as you walk on the floor. It costs between $900 and $2,000 to install a new plywood subfloor. If you have a two-story home, you'll need to have your new carpet installed on the stairs.
Should I replace my subfloor before installing tile?
- Start exposing the floor to fresh air by removing any rugs or furniture. ...
- Any wet drywall needs to be removed anyway, so remove the ceiling drywall below the damage to expose the floor joists.
- Create air movement with box fans ( available on Amazon ), both on top of the finished flooring and the floor below. ...
How to install hardwood floors on subfloor?
Prep a Plywood Subfloor for Hardwood or Laminate Flooring
- Look Beneath the Surface. The key to a beautiful, long-lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well-prepared subfloor. ...
- Clean the Subfloor. Pull up the current floor. ...
- Prepare the Subfloor. Follow these steps to prep the subfloor. ...
- Create a Guide. Mark a guideline on your subfloor to run a square floor. ...
- Install Your New Floor. ...
Can I use an existing wood floor as a subfloor?
Yes, you can install over an existing wood floor, provided it meets some important conditions. First, make sure doing so won't create problems with height differences at areas such as transitions with other rooms and stairs. Then, be sure the existing floor is flat, clean, dry, structurally sound, free of squeaks and free of protruding fasteners.

How much does wood subfloor cost?
Installing hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. On average, wood flooring costs between $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor.
What is the cheapest material for subfloor?
These 5 Cheap Flooring Options Will Look Awesome And Save You...Sheet Vinyl. Getty. Sheet vinyl costs, on average, between $0.50 to $2 per square foot, making it a great affordable option. ... Linoleum. Getty. ... Laminate. Getty. ... Carpet. Getty. ... Polished Concrete. Getty.
How thick should my subfloor be?
The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch. There are several factors that determine what subfloor thickness is optimal for added benefits like insulation.
How thick is typical subfloor?
Thicknesses for products used for subfloors are generally 23/32 inch (just under 3/4 inch), but thicker sheets are available where building codes call for them.
What is best material for subfloor?
PlywoodPlywood. Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.
Which is better for subfloor OSB or plywood?
OSB has a lower resale value than plywood due to its lower strength. For this reason, few homeowners prefer OSB in their homes. Apart from costs, plywood is superior in all the other areas, such as the strength of the structure. For this reason, it's a superior material for use on the subfloor.
What building material is cheaper than wood?
Brick. Brick is an affordable building material that can be bought new, recycled from old construction, or even made at home.
Which is better OSB or plywood?
Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists.
How much does it cost to replace a subfloor in a bedroom?
Cost to Replace Subfloor in the Bedroom. Replacing a subfloor in the bedroom is usually one of the least expensive locations, costing $300 to $700. Typically, bedrooms don’t see much water damage, and replacing the subfloor is a straightforward process.
How much does a tyroc subfloor cost?
Tyroc subfloor paneling systems are among the newer types of subfloors on the market and cost from $5.50 to $10 per sq.ft. Tyroc is considered a green subfloor system that is more environmentally friendly than other subfloor options.
What is the subfloor material?
Traditional subfloor materials include wood planks, plywood, oriented strand board (OSB) more commonly known as particle board, and concrete slab 6. Concrete slabs differ from wood subfloors in that they don’t require joists to hold them up as they are one continuous concrete slab.
What is subflooring?
The subfloor is part of the structure of your floor and is designed to create a flat, stable surface on the flooring rests. Underlayment lies between the floor and the subfloor and is designed to compensate for any roughness or imperfections that are present in the subfloor beneath.
Why is subflooring important?
Subfloors are an important part of your flooring since they help to keep your floor even, provide added stability, improve your energy efficiency, and reduce the noise in your home. Over time subfloors can become damaged either from age, water, or other significant floor damage.
How do I know if my subfloor needs replacing?
You’ll know your subfloor needs to be replaced when you see certain signs of damage such as uneven flooring, sunken areas, loud squeaky floorboards when you apply pressure, or the floor bouncing or shifting as you walk across it. Other signs of damage include hardwood floors cupping or separating from each other, or linoleum 3, often found in kitchens, bubbling or buckling. Any floors showing weak spots or cracks could have damage on the subfloor.
Why do subfloors need to be sound?
A subfloor needs to be sound and in good shape to hold the weight of everything in your home for a long time. But there are many things that can cause damage to subfloors.
Cost to Replace Subfloor by Material
First off, let’s discuss concrete as a potential material option for your subflooring. It’s one of the most expensive materials you can use for this particular application. You will have to pay around $6 per square foot if you want to use concrete.
Labor Cost to Replace Subfloor
The workers may need to remove your existing subfloor completely before they can install the replacement. That means paying for the removal service as well. You can expect to pay around $28 per hour if you need your current subfloor removed.
Related Questions
Labor costs for subfloor repair often end up around $28 per hour. It’s common for homeowners to spend around $400 on subfloor repairs especially if the problem is related to water damage or pests.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Subflooring per Square Foot?
Subfloor replacement typically ranges from $1 to $7 per square foot. This range can vary based on labor costs, which will add $25 to $30 per hour, and the type of subflooring you choose. Below we’ve broken out examples of an affordable, middle-range, and higher cost option to give you a better idea on how much subflooring costs can vary.
Plywood Subfloors
Plywood is the most common type of subflooring. This material has the lowest cost at $1 to $1.50 per square foot of five-eighths-inch-thick plywood panels. Thicker plywood might last longer and better support your floors, but it will cost more per square foot.
Moisture-Proof Subfloors
If you’re looking for something moisture-resistant for bathrooms or basements, you might consider an option like Amdry panels. These engineered, moisture-proof panels come at a higher cost, though, of about $3 per square foot.
Warmboard Subfloors
One of the most expensive subflooring options is ideal if you want to install radiant heating. Imagine walking across a cozy, heated living room floor in the middle of an Ohio winter. This little luxury requires a special type of subflooring that can withstand underfloor heating. Warmboard costs around $7 per square foot.
How Much Does Subfloor Replacement Cost by Type?
There are many different types of subfloors to consider depending on your needs. A bathroom renovation will require subfloors that are resistant to moisture, like Amdry or DRIcore panels. Your living room or bedrooms might benefit from a soundproof option, like Barricade panels, for better naps and sleeping at night.
Plywood
This common subfloor has a low cost of around $1 per square foot, not including labor. For a 300-square-foot room, you’ll spend about $300 to $450 to replace the subfloors with new plywood.
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
Oriented strand board is another popular subfloor option. It’s a lower cost per panel than plywood, but it can also swell if moisture is present. OSB is weaker than plywood and will not work for ceramic tiles or stone floors.
How much does it cost to replace subflooring?
What Does It Cost to Replace a Subfloor? You’ll pay $34-$60 per square foot to replace subflooring. For a 12-by-12-foot room, this can cost $5,000-$8,700. An entire 2,600-square-foot home can run between $85,800-$159,600.
What is subfloor replacement?
Replacement is done to bring subfloor up to code. The cost of replacing is based on: The size of rooms or the house where the subfloor work will be done. How much flooring needs to be removed such as layers of old linoleum, wood or other materials, cabinets, appliances or toilets.
How much does it cost to subfloor?
The labor costs for a professional to work on subflooring are usually between $25 and $30 per hour, but it will vary based on your location and if the job is particularly complex. Cost for materials will depend on what type of material you select. Plywood is the most common material.
How much does it cost to install subflooring in a 306 square foot room?
Installing subflooring in a 306-square-foot-room typically costs between $572 and $2,400. The low estimate is based on using plywood and 4.5 hours labor at $25. The high estimate includes using Warmboard brand subfloor and 8.5 labor hours at $30.
What is the best subfloor for a basement?
The best basement subfloor option includes a built-in moisture barrier. Brands like DRIcore or Amdry include this. If you're looking for the most inexpensive option for subflooring, plywood is the best option.
How much does it cost to replace a plywood subfloor?
The average cost to replace or repair a plywood subfloor in a 306-square-foot room costs $550, or between $500 and $600. The average cost to install a new plywood subfloor is $620, or between $570 and $720.
How to calculate the amount of subflooring needed?
Calculate the amount of subflooring you'll need by determining the amount of square footage to be covered. To do this, multiply the length by width to get the total square footage. To determine the cost, multiply the total square footage by the material cost per square foot.
Why do you need a base for a floor?
Homes with floor joists need a base to provide a surface on which to lay carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, laminate and/or vinyl. Moisture and pest infestation can damage subfloor. It can also become sloped over time. Since it's vital to the stability of your home's floors, you should contact a pro for replacements, repairs or installations.
How much does it cost to remove subflooring?
Contractors charge from $25 to $30 per hour to remove subflooring. A contractor will remove the finished portion of the floor, cut out sections of subflooring and haul away the debris.
