How Much Does It Cost to Replace Carpet With Laminate? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to replace carpet with laminate is $3,270. Most homeowners spend between $1,600 and $5,350, with material costs running $3 to $13 per square foot, depending on laminate style and thickness, plus labor factors like carpet removal and subfloor condition.

Laminate Installation Cost: What to Expect

The cost to install laminate flooring ranges from $3 to $13 per square foot, with a 200-square-foot space running $600 to $2,600. Wood-look type and finish are the primary cost drivers, with hickory being the most expensive option. Material and contractor availability in your area can also shift the final price up or down.

What Are the Cost Factors for Replacing Carpet With Laminate?

Several variables determine what you'll pay to replace carpet with laminate, including room size, laminate type, subfloor condition, and local labor rates. Understanding each factor before you budget helps you avoid surprises once the project is underway.

Cost to Rip Up Carpet per Square Foot

Carpet removal costs $1 to $5 per square foot, covering both hauling and disposal of the old carpet. 

Here's what you can expect to pay based on room size:

Wood-Look Type

The wood species your laminate is designed to mimic is one of the most direct factors affecting material cost, with prices between $0.70 and $2 per square foot. Options range from budget-friendly maple and red oak to pricier hickory, so choosing a style that fits your aesthetic and your budget is worth deciding early.

Here's how the costs break down for different looks:

Laminate Texture and Finish 

When you install laminate flooring, you'll have to make two additional decisions: texture (which ranges from $1 to $5.60 per square foot) and finish—both of which can affect the total project cost. You can pick textured or smooth laminate, and finish options include a semi-matte, matte, or glossy finish.

Smooth laminate is the more affordable texture option. However, textured laminate is less likely to show dents or flaws than smooth laminate. Along the same lines, a matte finish is less costly than a glossy finish, but matte laminate shows dings and dirt more easily.

Here's a breakdown of the different laminate finish costs:

Laminate Thickness

Laminate thickness ranges from 6 millimeters to 12 millimeters and has a direct impact on both price and durability. Six-millimeter laminate costs $0.70 to $1 per square foot, while 12-millimeter styles run $2.30 to $6 per square foot. Thicker planks resist dings and installation damage more effectively, making them a worthwhile upgrade in high-traffic areas.

Replacing Carpet With Laminate: What Are the Additional Costs?

Material costs are only part of the picture when replacing carpet with laminate—labor, subfloor prep, furniture removal, and carpet disposal all add to your total. Your home's location can also influence what local pros charge for the work.

Labor

Carpet removal companies charge $1 to $5 per square foot, which covers labor, waste removal, and cleanup. Labor to install laminate flooring runs $2 to $8 per square foot on top of that. Contact a local laminate flooring installer to get a detailed quote based on your specific room size and conditions.

Subfloor Prep or Repairs

Subfloor repair materials cost $1 to $7 per square foot, and most homeowners spend $500 to $700 on repairs once labor is included. If the subfloor is too damaged to repair, replacing the subfloor costs $900 to $3,000. Have a pro assess your subfloor condition before finalizing your budget so you're not caught off guard by unexpected replacement costs.

Furniture Removal

Most flooring installers will move furniture for an additional flat fee of $100 to $200. Check with your installer before assuming this cost is included—some build it into the overall quote, while others charge by square foot or per piece of furniture.

Carpet Disposal

If you remove the carpet yourself, expect to pay $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot to dispose of it separately. When you hire a professional for carpet removal, disposal is included in the quoted price.

Location

Where carpet is located within your home can affect removal costs, since some installers charge a premium for tricky or hard-to-reach areas. Stair removal is a common example, averaging $2 to $20 per stair depending on the complexity of the job.

Installing New Padding

Underlayment costs $30 to $60 per 100-square-foot roll, making it a relatively affordable upgrade that can extend the life of your floor. Adding a pad or underlayment beneath your laminate stabilizes the foundation and improves comfort underfoot.

Carpet vs. Laminate Flooring

When deciding between carpet versus laminate flooring, there are a few differences to consider based on your home and needs. Carpet offers more warmth and is more comfortable to walk on, but laminate flooring is easier to maintain and can create a higher-end look.

Carpet will hide dirt and footprints, but it's not water-resistant like laminate. It's also more complicated to care for and requires regular vacuuming. Laminate flooring can be swept or vacuumed quickly to refresh the space.

Here's how carpet and laminate stack up when it comes to the features they offer:

Why You Should Hire a Pro to Replace Carpet With Laminate

Between carpet removal and laminate installation, you can expect to save $3 to $13 per square foot in labor costs by doing it yourself. But keep in mind that installation errors now could mean costly repairs down the road.

This project can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and complex. Unless you have some experience removing carpeting, you should hire a local flooring contractor.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a pro to replace carpet with laminate

Replacing your carpet with laminate requires specialized tools and expertise. Here's why it's best to hire a pro for the job:

• Flooring pros know how to properly prepare the subfloor, prevent uneven surfaces, and reduce the risk of buckling.

• Pros have the specialized tools needed to cut, fit, and secure laminate planks.

• Experienced installers know how to handle transitions, trim, and moldings.

• Professionally installed laminate floors improve the durability, aesthetic, and value of your home.

If you want to DIY a carpet-to-laminate conversion

To assist your flooring installer, consider helping out with the following tasks:

• Clear furniture, rugs, and decor out of the room so the installer has easy access.

• Sweep or vacuum the floor before the installation to remove dirt and dust.

• Keep materials, equipment, and tools nearby and easily accessible for your pro.

• Clean up the area after installation and dispose of the old carpet in accordance with local regulations.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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