How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost in Atlanta? [2026 Data]

From historic bungalows in Inman Park to stylish Midtown condos, Atlanta flooring projects are as diverse as the city's housing landscape. Installing new flooring in Atlanta, Georgia costs between $1,560 and $4,871 for most homeowners, with an average cost of $3,120. Local labor rates reflect the region's competitive contractor market and growing population.

Flooring Installation Cost Factors 

The size of your project and the type of material you choose are the two biggest factors that drive the cost of flooring installation in Atlanta, Georgia. Natural stone approaches the higher end of the price range, while budget-friendly options like vinyl are more affordable. The city's hot, humid summers favor moisture-resistant options that perform better in the long term. 

Room Size

New flooring costs an average of $14 per square foot, ranging between $10 and $18 per square foot for most Atlanta homeowners. 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 heavily depends on the type of materials you choose. Generally speaking, natural materials are pricier, while synthetic materials are more affordable. For instance, hardwood flooring costs between $10 and $22 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. As appealing as hardwood may be, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and linoleum may be better suited for Atlanta's humid weather.

Moving Furniture

The flooring installation company may charge an additional fee of $60 to $150 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 $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on the type of floor and how it was installed. For example, tile removal costs can range from $3 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 $12 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 $1 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: $600–$2,500

• Floor paint: $1,000–$2,000

• Radiant floor heating: $1,500–$8,000

• Floor joist replacements: $4,000–$15,000

• Professional floor cleaning: $200–$300

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

• Hardwood floor repairs: $480–$1,710

Flooring Installation Pro Costs

The costs associated with hiring Atlanta flooring installation pros depend on the specific requirements of your home improvement project. Homeowners should consider Georgia's contractor licensing requirements, the city's permit exemptions for flooring work, and the reality that working in Atlanta's varied housing stock requires contractors with diverse skill sets.

Labor 

Depending on who installs hardwood floors in your home, the average range in Atlanta is between $3 and $8 per square foot. This varies based on flooring type and installation complexity. Projects involving intricate patterns, custom designs, or removing old flooring can push labor costs toward the higher end of the range. Leveling uneven floors in older Atlanta homes can be the most unpredictable cost, taking considerable time and money to do properly.

Permits

Most straight-swap interior flooring projects in Atlanta single-family or duplex residential structures do not require a building permit. This exemption is explicitly stated in Atlanta's building code. However, any structural, electrical, plumbing, or historic-district work related to the floor will require permitting. The minimum permit cost is $150 plus a $25 technology fee. Confirm with the Atlanta Department of City Planning and the Office of Buildings before starting. 

Humidity Management

Atlanta's subtropical climate creates specific challenges for flooring installations. The city experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and humidity levels that can reach 80% or higher. Moisture management is critical for flooring longevity.

Underlayment for moisture protection can add $0.50 to $5.40 per square foot to project costs, providing essential protection against humidity-related damage. Furthermore, new hardwood flooring in Atlanta requires careful acclimation to prevent cupping and warping. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

Depending on the scope of your project, you might look up local pros beyond the team you hire to repair or replace hardwood flooring. 

• Mold remediation costs $10 to $25 per square foot, necessary when water damage is discovered under old flooring.

• HVAC specialists charge $75 to $150 per hour for consultations relating to air quality and humidity control.

• Licensed electricians cost $80 to $150 per hour to install radiant floor heating, which is increasingly popular in Atlanta bathroom and kitchen renovations.

• Interior designers or color consultants help ensure your flooring choice complements popular design aesthetics for $100 to $200 per hour.

Does Installing New Flooring Increase Home Value?

For midrange hardwood installation in Atlanta, homeowners can reasonably expect to recoup anywhere from 80% to 125% at resale, with a practical central estimate of about 100% return on investment (ROI). Hardwood floors are especially desirable to buyers, and Atlanta’s urban neighborhoods often command buyer preferences for hardwood in renovated homes.

Spending a few thousand dollars to replace worn-out carpet, particularly if you have pets, can greatly enhance your home's perceived value. In newer developments, contemporary flooring choices like luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or engineered hardwood align better with buyer expectations for low-maintenance, durable materials that stand up to Atlanta's hot, humid summers.

Especially in historic homes, however, massive hidden repair costs relating to mold, subfloor damage, or joist repair can drastically reduce your ROI.

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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