How Much Does It Cost to Install Plywood Subflooring? [2025 Data]

The average cost of installing a plywood subfloor for a 300-square-foot room is between $600 and $700 or an average of $620. Plywood is a common material for subflooring due to its strength and affordability, costing $4.50 to $10.00 per square foot. Your subfloor is an important part of your flooring and is installed on top of the floor joists to helpaintain your floor's level, increase stability, improve insulation, and reduce noise in your home.

Creating a comprehensive budget for your subfloor project can help keep your floors functional and beautiful.

Installing Plywood Subflooring Cost Factors 

This isn’t a project with a long list of cost factors. For the most part, it consists of the cost of plywood and labor. However, these costs may go up if there’s moisture damage or a need for joist repair or replacement, along with the subfloor installation. 

Cost per Square Foot

Installing a plywood subfloor costs between $4.50 and $10 per square foot, including material and labor fees. 

Without labor, plywood costs about $1.50 per square foot. Most builders choose ¾-inch tongue-and-groove plywood interlocks for easier installation and a more solid floor.

“For sub-flooring, we not only specify 3/4-inch or more, but we also require tongue-and-groove (interlocking) panels,” says Bob Tschudi, Expert Review Board Member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “We also specify that the panels are ‘glued and screwed’ and not nailed. This reduces and, in most cases, eliminates squeaking.”

Labor

The labor fees to install subflooring range between $25 and $30 per hour, but the cost varies depending on your location and the complexity of the job.

Additional work—like removing existing flooring and subflooring, hauling old materials, or preparing a surface—costs extra.

“For many renovations we’ve done, we’ve discovered that people never remove old subflooring, but add new plywood—usually with a heavy-duty glue—on top of existing flooring,” says Tschudi. “This means that we have to cut away many, many layers of wood to get to the original framing, which is time-consuming and adds cost to the project.”

Repair vs. Replace Plywood Subflooring 

There are times when you can save money repairing a plywood subfloor instead of replacing it. Consider repairing the subfloor if there’s minor damage localized to one or two areas. For example, if you had a leak that only affected one or two plywood sheets, repair the affected areas and leave the rest.

On the other hand, you’ll want to replace your subfloor when it is damaged extensively. Damage from mold, rot, or structural issues is most likely the reason for a replacement.

You may also want to replace a plywood subfloor if you’re undertaking a significant remodel or you live in an older home that could benefit from a subfloor refresh. Consult a pro to assess the subfloor’s condition and check moisture levels. If moisture levels are high, get estimates and recommendations for how to protect the longevity of the floor. 

Cost to Install Plywood Subflooring Yourself

When you hire a local flooring company to install subflooring, you’ll pay about $600 to $700. Doing it yourself will cost between $500 and $600 (a savings of $100 to $150). However, you might need to factor in $100 to $500 to rent or buy the tools and supplies if you don’t have them already. Tools and supplies you may need include: 

• Circular saw

• Jigsaw

• Miter Saw

• Wood shims

• Construction adhesive

• Drill

• Measuring tape

• Step ladder

• Screws

• Screwdriver, drill, or electric driver (preferred)

• Safety gear (eye goggles and gloves)

However, keep in mind that installing subflooring requires certain skills and previous experience with woodwork and flooring. A professional knows how to level floors properly, use the right materials for the flooring and climate, and create a sturdy end result. A pro can also help determine the right material for your subflooring and whether you need to seal your subflooring to prevent potential moisture damage. 

“Subflooring work is labor-intensive and fraught with problems,” says Tschudi. “We’ve done the work ourselves and have contracted it out and, in the end, we feel that it’s always better to contract it out to an experienced framing team.”

How to Save on Subflooring Installation 

If you’re looking to save on the cost of replacing subflooring, examine estimates for tasks that you can DIY. For example, you could save on labor costs by removing and disposing of the current subfloor yourself.

Some projects might require more expertise than others, such as fixing uneven joists beneath the subfloor. DIY mistakes can lead to costly repairs, so make sure you’re comfortable with tackling the task before going all in.

You can also keep costs down by skipping customizations, such as extra cushioning, sound dampening, or waterproofing.

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.