How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost in Washington, D.C.? [2026 Data]

New flooring installation in Washington, D.C. costs $3,498 on average, with most projects ranging between $1,916 and $5,208. The District's mix of historic rowhouses, modern condos, and renovated townhomes creates unique installation challenges. Older properties may require specialized contractors familiar with preservation guidelines, while newer builds offer more flexibility. Labor rates in D.C. tend to run higher than the national average due to the city's elevated cost of living and competitive contractor market.

Flooring Installation Cost Factors 

Your choice of flooring material will have the biggest price impact, ranging from vinyl on the lower end up to high-end stone at the upper end. Don't overlook factors specific to Washington, D.C., too, like subfloor condition in historic homes or the need for moisture barriers in basement units common throughout the city.

Room Size

New flooring costs an average of $12.50 per square foot, so the larger the project, the higher the installation cost will be. 

You may receive a discount on the rate per square foot for larger projects, while some companies may charge a higher flooring cost per square foot for small jobs to meet their minimum project cost requirements.

Flooring Type

The price of your new flooring depends heavily on the type of material you choose. Generally speaking, natural materials are pricier, while synthetic materials are more affordable. For instance, hardwood flooring costs between $6 and $25 per square foot, while linoleum flooring costs $3 to $12 per square foot.

Of course, the type of flooring material that’s best for your home depends on the area you’re putting it in, the amount of traffic it gets, whether you have kids or pets running around, your local weather and climate, and your aesthetic. 

Moving Furniture

The flooring installation company may charge an additional rate, around $60 to $120 per hour, to remove furniture from the room or home before installing the floors. Save money on your flooring installation costs by moving furniture and other objects prior to the project’s start date.

Removing Old Flooring

Removing old flooring costs $1.50 to $5 per square foot, depending on the type of floor and how it was installed. For example, tile removal costs can range from $2 to $7 per square foot, while removing carpet that is nailed or stapled to the floor costs around $1 to $1.50 per square foot.

Subflooring 

Subflooring replacement costs $3 to $10 per square foot. Subfloors help support your flooring, whether you choose carpet, tile, or hardwood. You need this base layer to be in good condition, so if your subfloors are too weak or have water damage, you’ll need to repair or replace them before installing new flooring.

Underlayment

If your floor type needs underlayment, it will add $0.50 to $5.40 per square foot to the flooring installation cost. Not all floors need underlayment, but you likely need it if you install carpet or laminate flooring.

Stairs

Installing flooring on stairs costs $11 to $160 per step, depending on the type of flooring you choose. The cost of adding carpet to stairs falls on the lower end of the scale because it’s easier to install over the curves and ridges of steps than a rigid material like hardwood, which may cost up to $160 per step due to the complexity of installation and the higher cost of the material.

Mold Remediation

If your flooring pro detects mold, removal is crucial before laying down new flooring. Mold remediation costs $10 to $25 per square foot. If a flood or leaky plumbing left mold or water damage under the flooring, you’ll need to factor in the additional costs for a local mold removal service to keep your family safe.

Finishes 

Finishes, like polyurethane, urethane, or wax, cost $0.85 to $7 per square foot. Consider adding a finish to hardwood, natural stone, or concrete flooring to help the material last longer. Finishes are also a good idea for entryways, living rooms, or other high-traffic spaces in your home.

Add-Ons

When you’re putting down new floors, you might look around the room and decide to add some other projects at the same time. Here are the average costs for common floor installation add-ons:

• Baseboards: $800–$2,250

• Floor paint: $1,000–$2,000

• Radiant floor heating: $1,700–$6,000

• Floor joist replacements: $4,000–$12,000

• Professional floor cleaning: $200–$300

• Hardwood floor refinishing: $1,100–$2,600

• Hardwood floor repairs: $480–$1,710

Flooring Installation Pro Costs

The District's higher cost of living drives up labor costs for Washington D.C. flooring contractors, and the competitive market means experienced installers are always in high demand. D.C. homeowners should also budget for potential permits, logistical challenges, and additional pros to hire.

Labor Costs

Flooring installers in D.C. charge between $60 and $120 per hour, with skilled tradespeople often commanding rates at the higher end of that spectrum. Complex layouts with multiple angles, staircases, rooms with built-in features, and historic properties requiring extra care will push costs even higher. D.C. contractors factor in travel time and parking challenges, particularly in neighborhoods where loading zones may require coordination.

Permits and Regulations

Installing new flooring in Washington, D.C., typically doesn't require a building permit when you're simply replacing existing flooring with the same square footage. Notably, interior renovations over 500 square feet, particularly if the work involves subfloor replacement or structural modifications, may need an Alteration and Repair permit from the D.C. Department of Buildings.

Fees are calculated as a percentage of your project cost, starting from $33 and going up to several thousand dollars. Always verify requirements with the Department of Buildings before starting work, as non-compliance can result in fines or the required removal of completed work.

Access and Logistics

Working in Washington, D.C., presents unique logistical challenges that can impact your flooring installation costs. The District's dense urban environment means contractors must navigate narrow rowhouse entries, coordinate street parking for delivery vehicles, and often carry materials up multiple flights of stairs in buildings without elevators. The cost of parking and temporary loading zone permits often gets passed on to homeowners. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring 

Depending on your project scope, you might need to hire additional professionals beyond who installs hardwood floors in your home.

• Asbestos removal costs $5 to $20 per square foot and requires certified abatement professionals.

• Historic preservation specialists charge $75 to $150 per hour to ensure new flooring complements the original architectural details.

• Licensed electricians charging $80 to $150 per hour may be needed if you're adding radiant floor heating.

• Structural engineers charge $150 to $300 per hour to address structural issues relating to subfloor damage in older D.C. rowhouses.

Does Installing New Flooring Increase Home Value?

New flooring can increase your home's value and provide a solid return on investment (ROI). Washington, D.C. homeowners can recoup 70% to 100% or more of the hardwood flooring installation costs in some cases, reflecting the region's competitive market. Quality flooring is often the difference between a home that sells quickly at the asking price and one that languishes on the market. Buyer expectations here push the ROI toward the upper half of national ranges. 

In D.C.'s historic neighborhoods, original hardwood floors that have been professionally refinished are particularly prized, as they preserve architectural character while meeting modern standards. This may help guide your decision whether to repair or replace hardwood flooring. The key to maximizing ROI in the District is choosing flooring that matches your neighborhood's character.

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’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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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