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

New flooring installation costs $2,820 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on average, ranging between $1,459 and $4,244 for most homeowners. The city's mix of historic architecture and varying home ages means installers encounter challenges related to older construction, like uneven subfloors in century-old rowhouses and moisture issues in basement units.

Flooring Installation Cost Factors 

Your material choice and room size will drive the final cost of flooring installation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Treating original pine or oak floors often requires special care, along with potential challenges with the existing subfloor's condition. 

Room Size

New flooring costs an average of $14 per square foot in Philadelphia, ranging from $10 to $18 per square foot in most cases. 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.

Moving Furniture

The flooring installation company may charge an additional rate, around $60 to $150 per hour, to remove furniture from the room or home before repairing or replacing hardwood flooring. 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 $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 $15 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: $800–$2,250

• Floor paint: $1,000–$2,000

• Radiant floor heating: $2,000–$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

Flooring professionals in Philadelphia charge $3 to $9 per square foot for installation and replacement labor, depending on material and the project's complexity. This is slightly higher than in some other markets across the country, reflecting the specialized skills required to work with Philadelphia's older housing stock.

Labor 

Philadelphia's professional flooring installers charge anywhere from $60 to $120 per hour for labor, which works out to $3 to $9 per square foot in most cases. Complex installations drive up costs, particularly in rowhouses with narrow spaces, multiple room transitions, or original architectural features that require careful work. Philadelphia's older homes often have uneven subflooring or unusual room dimensions, which can further extend installation time. 

Building Permits

Interior flooring replacements alone typically don't need a building permit, unless electrical or plumbing is involved. However, if your project calls for subfloor replacement or structural modifications, you'll need to apply through Philadelphia's eCLIPSE system or visit the Department of Licenses and Inspections office for permits and approval.

Residential building permits in Philadelphia start around $150, with costs increasing based on project scope. Expect permit processing to take about 15 days for most one- and two-family dwellings.

Historic Properties

Properties on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places need Historical Commission approval for work requiring building permits. This mostly concerns changes to exterior features, so interior flooring typically doesn't trigger historic review unless it involves removing or altering significant architectural features. Check with your contractor about potential requirements. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

Depending on the scope of your project, you may consider hiring professionals beyond the contractors who install hardwood floors in your home. 

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

• Historic preservation consultants charge $100 to $200 per hour to ensure your flooring choices respect original architectural details. 

• If you're installing radiant heating, hiring a licensed electrician will cost $80 to $150 per hour. 

• Certified lead inspectors charge $300 to $500 to assess risk levels in properties with suspected lead paint. 

• If settling and water damage have damaged subfloors, a structural engineer, at $150 to $300 per hour, may be needed to oversee repairs.

Does Installing New Flooring Increase Home Value?

In Philadelphia's competitive real estate market, quality flooring is often essential for moving properties quickly. The city's housing market rewards move-in-ready properties, particularly in desirable neighborhoods like Fairmount and Fishtown. Choosing the right flooring upgrade for your neighborhood is key to reaping the biggest rewards.

Hardwood flooring can deliver up to 100% return on investment (ROI) for new installations and even higher for refinishing, making it a particularly appealing upgrade for many homes. Older row houses and homes in historic districts can benefit from upgraded flooring since many original floors are dated or damaged. 

If you’re staying long-term, prioritize durable quality flooring. If you plan on selling within the next few years, align your flooring choices with neighborhood expectations rather than ultra-luxury options.

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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