How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost in New York City? [2026 Data]

Flooring installation in New York City, New York costs $2,822 on average, ranging between $1,481 and $4,326 for most homeowners. The final price depends on your apartment or home size, material choice, and building-specific requirements. The constraints typical of NYC living can further add to costs, like dealing with narrow stairwells, strict co-op board rules, and limited elevator access.

Flooring Installation Cost Factors 

In high-cost cities like New York City, New York, both materials and labor prices tend to be higher. Potential subflooring issues in century-old structures can introduce unexpected repair costs to your renovation project, too.

Room Size

New flooring costs an average of $8 to $15 per square foot in New York. 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

Your flooring installation company may charge an additional rate, averaging $75 to $150 per hour, to remove furniture from the room or home before installing the floors. For condos and co-ops, building rules about elevator reservations or insurance can add costs. 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 $3.50 per square foot, depending on the type of floor and how it was installed. For example, tile removal costs can range from $4 to $7 per square foot, while removing carpet that is nailed or stapled to the floor costs around $1 to $2.50 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 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 $300 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. Hidden moisture under flooring in older buildings in New York is a common cause of extra cost.

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: $700–$2,500

• Floor paint: $1,000–$2,000

• Radiant floor heating: $1,500–$6,000

• 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

Manhattan flooring installers know how to deal with New York's complex regulatory landscape. Installation costs also reflect the logistical challenges unique to working in dense urban environments where parking is scarce, materials must be hand-carried up multiple flights, and work hours are strictly regulated by building management.

Labor 

Installation labor in New York City ranges from $2 to $8 per square foot, or $75 to $150 per hour, as a baseline estimate. Contractors who install hardwood floors charge toward the upper end of this range for the added complexity involved, and homeowners should expect to pay more in luxury areas or in buildings with access complications. Projects in the outer boroughs may see slightly lower rates. 

Permits and Inspections

Simple replacement/refinishing of flooring that does not change structure, egress, or building systems generally does not require a building permit from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). 

Insurers, condo co-ops, landlord rules, and NYC Administrative Code compliance for fire and flame ratings for carpeting in some occupancies still apply. Alt2/Alt3 permit types may be needed for more extensive interior demolition or alterations, or if common-area work in multi-unit buildings alters egress or fire ratings. Always check NYC DOB and with building management before starting any project. 

Co-op and Condo Board Requirements

New York City's cooperative and condominium governance structure adds a dimension to flooring projects that doesn't apply in most other markets. Most NYC condo and co-op boards mandate that when residents install new floors, they install a sound-attenuating layer with it. This soundproofing underlayment requirement stems from the city's noise regulations and neighbor relations concerns, particularly in buildings with wood joist construction.

Many buildings maintain approved contractor lists, limiting your choice of installers. Renovation deposits ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 are standard, refundable upon satisfactory project completion and any necessary repairs to common areas.

Building Access and Logistics

The physical realities of New York City construction create costs that suburban homeowners never encounter. Contractors charge premiums of 10% to 20% above base rates for projects in high-rise buildings where materials must be transported via freight elevator on restricted schedules. Street parking for delivery trucks is practically nonexistent in Manhattan, forcing contractors to factor in commercial loading zone fees.

Does Installing New Flooring Increase Home Value?

Buyers in New York City are often willing to pay premium prices for turnkey properties with contemporary finishes. In particular, it's especially worthwhile to repair or replace hardwood flooring. Homeowners recoup 70% to 100% of costs at resale in desirable Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods, including engineered hardwood or refinishing projects. Upgrades can significantly improve the asking price or reduce the time on market.

Carpet and low-end vinyl trend toward the lower end, at 30% to 50% return on investment (ROI). Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) has emerged as a smart investment for rental properties and condos in moderate price points. While it doesn't command the same premium as hardwood, quality LVP installation satisfies tenant expectations without the maintenance concerns that hardwood presents.

It's important to consider neighborhood comparables when deciding on what materials to use for flooring replacement projects. Hidden repairs to the subfloor or mold remediation found after demo raise costs and reduce net ROI unless you’ve already budgeted contingencies.

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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