How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost in Charlotte? [2025 Data]

Average flooring installation costs in Charlotte, North Carolina, range from $1,911 to $5,387, with most homeowners spending an average of $3,601. With Charlotte’s cost of living sitting just 1% below the national average, both flooring materials and installation labor are on par with prices in other parts of the U.S. 

The main factors affecting the cost of installing flooring for Charlotte homeowners are square footage, flooring type, prep work, and labor.

Flooring Installation Cost Factors 

How much you pay for flooring installation in Charlotte, North Carolina, depends on a variety of factors, including the area’s size and the type of flooring you choose. Here’s a closer look at how your total breaks down. 

Room Size

New flooring in Charlotte costs an average of $7 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 in Charlotte range between $4 and $12 per square foot, while linoleum flooring costs $2 to $7 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 of $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 to $5 per square foot, depending on the type of floor and how it was installed. For example, tile removal costs can range from $3 to $4 per square foot, while removing carpet that is nailed or stapled to the floor costs $0.70 to $1.60 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 $30 to $175 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 $200 per step due to the complexity of installation and the higher cost of the material.

Mold Remediation

If a 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:

• Baseboard installation: $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

Flooring Installation Pro Costs

In addition to the materials needed for your flooring installation, Charlotte homeowners should consider professional labor-related costs that impact the project’s total. Here’s a closer look at the professional expenses to add to your budget.

Labor

Homeowners should expect to pay $45 to $60 per hour for labor from Charlotte flooring installation pros. Installing laminate, carpet, or click-lock vinyl plank tends to be more affordable, whereas complex or premium rates may apply for intricate tile work and herringbone patterns. If your home is difficult to access, your contractor may charge on the higher end of the spectrum. 

Permits

Most simple flooring installation projects in Charlotte don’t require permits; however, you may need a permit if you’re doing electrical work and installing radiant floor heating, or if you’re making structural modifications to the joists. In Mecklenburg County, building permits start around $60 and increase as your project’s complexity and scope grow.

Tax

In Charlotte, the combined sales tax is 7.25%, and homeowners are required to pay tax on both the labor and materials for their flooring installation project. Ask your flooring contractor for a detailed cost breakdown before your project begins, so you can budget for sales tax and avoid surprises on your final invoice. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

Depending on the specific goals of your project, you may need to hire specialists beyond the pros who install hardwood floors in your home. 

• Structural engineers charge $100 to $125 per hour when subfloor damage reveals underlying issues, which are not uncommon in historic buildings.

• Licensed electricians charge $50 to $100 per hour to install radiant floor heating, an increasingly popular option for Charlotte homeowners. 

Does Installing New Flooring Increase Home Value?

The average return on investment (ROI) for new flooring projects in Charlotte ranges from 85% to 95% for mid-range installations. Your ROI is impacted by how long you stay in your home after installing your new flooring, the local market conditions, and the quality of the materials you choose. When Charlotte homeowners choose to repair or replace hardwood flooring, they see an ROI toward the upper end of this range, whereas basic kitchen tile or carpet can be at the lower end.

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 survey 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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