Updated June 2, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.
On average, repairing your floor costs around $396 but can generally range between $201 and $604. Structural repairs can be significantly more expensive, from $40 to $60 per square foot, because professionals need to go through multiple layers to get to the subfloors and joists.
If your project involves repairing joists, your project cost will quickly move out of the hundreds and into the thousands. Repairing joists runs anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for a small room—or up to $30,000 for an entire level.
Note: Since the start of COVID-19, the industry has faced a lumber and materials shortage, combined with the ongoing labor shortage, that still impacts projects to date. Material and labor prices for your project may be higher than those listed here until the market and supply chain return to normal. Contractors may also need more lead time to complete your project.
Ready to price out your floor repair cost? Our guide walks through the cost to repair floors by problem, surface level, floor type, and other related floor cost factors.
In this article
- Floor Repair Cost Calculator
- Cost to Fix a Floor by Problem
- Costs to Repair Surface, Subfloor, and Joists
- Floor Repair Costs by Floor Types
- Floor Repair vs. Replacement Costs
- Floor Repair Cost Factors
- FAQs
Floor Repair Cost Calculator
Let's calculate cost data for you. Where are you located?
Where are you located?
| National Average | $396 |
| Typical Range | $201 - $604 |
| Low End - High End | $85 - $6,000 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 24,613 HomeAdvisor members.
Cost to Fix a Floor by Problem
As the physical surface that supports our daily activities, floors can see quite a lot of use over time. The repair work necessary to restore your floors varies greatly depending on the underlying problem. Typical issues include fixing a sagging floor, leveling a floor, fixing squeaky floors, or repairing water damage.
Sagging Floor Repair Cost
A sagging floor repair cost can range from $300 to $6,500, depending on the underlying issue. A floor might sag because of a damaged subfloor, rotting joists, or foundational issues. Common culprits for sagging floors include water damage, wood-eating insects, soil settlement, and undersized beams.
Each problem is progressively more expensive to repair:
Damaged subfloor: $300–$2,500. A damaged subfloor is the easiest to repair. Water damage is typically the source of the sagging.
Rotting joists: $1,000–$5,000. Because joists are beneath multiple layers of flooring, they are more expensive to repair. They are also structural, so expedient repair is crucial. Joists can rot because of water damage, insects, or dry rot.
Foundational issues: $1,800–$6,500. Over time, the foundation of your home might shift or crack, which can lead to sagging floors. Another common culprit is poorly installed beams. Depending on the size of your home and the scope of the problem, this cost might climb to $20,000.
Cost to Level a Floor
The cost to level a floor can be as little as $50 if the problem is minimal and you’re confident with a little DIY repair work. However, for larger issues, you’ll likely pay $2 to $30 per square foot for a local flooring repair contractor.
DIY floor leveling: $0.50–$1.50 per pound of self-leveler. A simple DIY project might only require a few pounds of self-leveler (a type of concrete underlayment that creates flat, smooth surfaces for flooring installation) to fix some floor areas with minor low spots.
Professional floor leveling: $2–$30 per square foot (or more). Areas with poor structural support might require pros to sister joists, replace subfloors, and even install beams. Expect prices to vary. Sistering a joist (fastening a second joist to a damaged floor joist for reinforcement) can cost $100 to $300 per joist, but replacing subfloors can range from $500 to $700, and installing beams might cost up to $5,000.
Squeaky Floors
Fixing squeaky floors costs $200 to $1,000 or more. Repair costs are on the low end if it’s a single area that squeaks, but if your project requires fixing the underlayment of an entire room, expect to pay more. The price to fix squeaky floors also depends on accessibility; if a contractor can easily access the first floor (like from an unfinished basement), the cost will be lower than accessing the second floor from underneath.
If you attempt a DIY repair of a squeaky floor, you will need to be able to use screws, shims, or shank nails to penetrate the subfloor and hold the squeaking plank in place.
Water Damage
Repairing water-damaged hardwood floors can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500. If you need to replace large portions or the entirety of the floor, the price can double to $5,000 or more.
Watch for these signs of water-damaged wood floors:
Buckling and crowning: $225–$3,000. While water is a likely culprit, a buckling floor may also happen because the original floor installation didn’t include an extension gap encircling the perimeter. Have a professional investigate and lead repairs. This process generally involves taking up the baseboards and removing flooring until you’ve located the problem area, removing buckled boards and installing replacements, then reinstalling the rest of the flooring. Small fixes might be as low as $225, but larger projects might cost up to $3,000.
Warping: $225–$3,000. Like buckling floors, warping is a sign of improper installation or, more likely, water damage, either due to standing water or just heavy moisture below the surface of the floor. Repair work will take the same course as with buckled floors: A professional will need to remove the baseboards, pull up the flooring until they can access affected floorboards, replace them, and then reinstall everything. Again, this project can range from $225 to $3,000.
Fading or discoloration: If water damage has changed the color of your wood (and no other damage was done), you can just buy and apply a stain to recolor the wood. This generally costs $1 to $3 per square foot of flooring.
Water can also damage bamboo, laminate, and vinyl flooring. Water-damaged floor repair costs for these materials can vary. For example, hardwood floor repairs can range from $5 to $25 per square foot, while repairing laminate floors is more affordable at $2 to $8 per square foot. Expect to pay $2 to $7 per square foot for vinyl floor repair, while bamboo floor repair goes from $5 to $25.
Compare Estimates from the Best Floor Leveling & Repair Pros Near You
Costs to Repair Surface, Subfloor, and Joists
The cost to repair a floor varies by layer. From the top down, your floor consists of the surface, underlayment (sometimes), subfloor, and joists.
| Floor Layer | Cost per Square Foot | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Covering (carpet, tile, plank) | $5 - $30 | $200 - $800 |
| Subfloor | $2 - $10 | $500 - $700 |
| Joists | $10 - $60 | $1,000 - $10,000+ |
Surface
The cost to repair the surface of the floor ranges from $200 to $800 ($5 to $30 per square foot). Common reasons to repair floor surfaces include dents and scratches, water damage, and sagging and squeaking. The price will vary by surface type, including carpet, hardwood, vinyl, stone, and natural tile.
Subfloor
Subfloor repair costs can run from $500 to $700 ($2 to $10 per square foot). Repairing the subfloor for an entire room costs an average of $2,500. The subfloor typically consists of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) and separates the flooring surface from the joists.
Note: Some floors may have an underlayment between the surface and subfloor. Underlayment repair costs $0.50 to $5 per square foot to install.
Joists
Floor joist repair costs can range from $300 to $5,000; sistering a single floor joist costs roughly $100 to $300.
However, if you have to replace floor joists for an entire level, the project can go as high as $30,000.
| Work Required | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sistering | $100 – $300 per joist* |
| Minimal replacement | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Replacing a room | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Replacing an entire level | $10,000 – $30,000 |
*Does not include the costs of opening the floor or ceiling and repairing them afterward.
Flooring Repair Costs by Floor Type
The type of flooring you are repairing or replacing has a tremendous impact on cost, with repair costs ranging from $130 to $2,300 and replacement costs going from $800 to $10,000 or more.
The table below breaks down repair and replacement costs based on five common flooring types: carpet, laminate, tile, vinyl, and hardwood. Costs will vary depending on the square footage of the room(s).
| Type | Repairs | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | $130 - $300 | $800 – $2,800 |
| Laminate | $350 – $1,600 | $1,500 – $4,600 |
| Tile | $275 – $650 | $900 – $3,000 |
| Vinyl | $300 – $1,850 | $950 – $3,650 |
| Hardwood | $450 – $1,500 | $2,500 – $6,800 |
Carpet
Carpet repair costs $130 to $300 to address minor problems. If your carpet has undergone extensive damage from burns or flooding, you will likely need to have a contractor tear out and dispose of the old carpet and replace it. Installing new carpet costs $800 to $2,800.
Laminate
Repairing laminate flooring costs $340 to $1,600, but more often, especially when water damage is involved, you’ll need to replace damaged boards. If the damage is extensive, the entire room might need new laminate. Installing laminate floors costs $1,500 to $4,600.
Tile
Simple tile and grout repair costs $275 to $600. In rare cases of extreme damage (or if you need to rip out tile to repair the subfloor), you’ll need to budget for new tile floor installation costs, which start at $1,000 but can go as high as $3,000.
Vinyl
The cost to repair vinyl flooring runs from $300 to $1,850. If the vinyl has suffered serious burns or tears, you might need to pay a contractor for a complete replacement. Installing new vinyl floors costs $950 to $3,650.
Hardwood
Repairing hardwood floors costs $450 to $1,500, but after repairing, you will likely want to refinish the floors as well. Refinishing wood floors costs $1,100 to $2,500 for a project total of $1,550 to $4,000.
Alternatively, installing a new hardwood floor costs from $2,500 to $6,800; on the low end, a complete replacement may be more affordable.
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Floor Repair vs. Replacement Costs
The average floor repair costs from $200 to $575, while new floor installation ranges from $1,500 to $4,650. Although floor repair costs are generally lower than replacement costs, this can vary depending on how much of the floor needs to be repaired or replaced and the type of flooring.
A good rule of thumb: If the estimated floor repair cost is more than half of the replacement cost, move forward with a replacement, as it will add more value to your home.
If you need to work on the subfloor or joists, you should factor in the cost of replacement flooring, as you may need to rip up the surface level to access the subfloor and joists.
Floor Repair Cost Factors
While the type of floor, the underlying problem, and floor level are the largest floor repair cost factors, you should also consider floor location and local labor costs.
Floor Repair Costs by Location
The room in your house can affect the overall price of floor repair. Rooms that are subject to more moisture (bathrooms and kitchens) may require more extensive repairs for water damage, while rooms like foyers and mudrooms will see more traffic with shoes on, which can necessitate more frequent (but minimal) repairs.
Labor Costs for Floor Installation
Flooring installers cost from $60 to $120 per hour. These labor costs can vary greatly depending on where your house is located. Find a few flooring repair contractors near you and compare quotes.
FAQs
Are sagging floors dangerous?
While sagging floors aren’t inherently dangerous, they do indicate a larger underlying problem that could become a danger to you and your family. Get your floors inspected if you notice sagging.
What causes a floor to sag?
Floors might sag for a few reasons, including:
Foundation problems like the settling of the house.
Improper framing of the house.
Uneven or damaged subflooring due to water damage.
Rot or insect damage causing joists to decay.
Should I repair my floor on my own or hire a professional?
Basic floor repair DIYs are doable if you have a basic grasp of home repairs. The easiest DIY repair to tackle is leveling a floor with a basic self-leveler. However, more complicated floor repair work, especially where joists are involved, should be left to the professionals. Many stores that sell flooring run deals that include free or discounted installation.
How much do basement floor crack repairs cost?
Repairing cracks in your basement costs $250 to $800. Larger problems in your foundation can bring the total cost up to $7,500.
How much does it cost to replace floor joists in a crawl space?
Replacing floor joists in a crawl space costs $100 to $300 per joist if the professional can easily access the joists. Individual joist repair costs can jump sharply (to $1,000 or more) if the joists are covered, insulated, or generally difficult to access.
How much do garage floor repairs cost?
Garage floor repair costs range from $300 to $500, on average.
Still Have Questions About Floor Repair?
FAQs
Learn how much it costs to Repair a Floor.? ›
The typical costs for repairing sagging floors start at $1000 and can go up to $10,000, with the average rate being around $300 per square foot. But this can vary depending on the extent of the damage and materials needed to get the job done.
How much does it cost to fix uneven floors? ›The typical costs for repairing sagging floors start at $1000 and can go up to $10,000, with the average rate being around $300 per square foot. But this can vary depending on the extent of the damage and materials needed to get the job done.
How much is labor to replace plywood subfloor? ›Labor. The labor cost to install subfloor material makes up a large portion of the overall project cost. Installers will likely charge between $25 and $30 per hour to remove and replace subflooring.
How much does it cost to repair a cracked floor joist? ›How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Floor Joist per Square Foot? Between materials and labor, structural repairs to your flooring run $40 to $60 per square foot. Joist repairs tend to run $10 to $67 per square foot, depending on the extent of the damage.
What is the best way to fix uneven floor? ›One of the best ways to fix the issue of uneven floor is to use floor patch product. It can be used in concrete subfloor or wooden subfloor. It is best for leveling floors that has dips, slanting issues, cracks and chipping problems.
Can I fix sagging floors myself? ›Sagging or bouncy floors problems are often caused by a weak floor joist that has sagged under the load of people walking on the floor above. If the issue is caused by just one or two joists, you can probably handle it yourself by attaching a “sister joist” to the original ones.
How much should I charge for subfloor repair? ›| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Subfloor repair, small area | $100 - $200 |
| Subfloor repair, entire room | $300 - $400 |
| Subfloor replacement, small area | $400 - $500 |
| Subfloor replacement, entire room | $570 - $720 |
Installing New vs.
Installing a new plywood subfloor in a 300-square-foot area typically costs $600 to $700 (based on four-and-a-half hours of labor at $25 per hour). The cost to replace or repair a plywood subfloor is typically between $600 to $2,600.
A: Fix-A-Floor should last at least 2 years UN-opened and kept from freezing before use.
Can flooring be repaired? ›Regular scratches and even cracks can be repaired with a floor repair kit. Available in different colours depending on your laminate's colour, they're simple to use with impeccable results. To repair surface issues such as minor scratches, you'll first need to clean your floor and ensure it's dry.
Can damaged wood floors be repaired? ›
One of many advantages of wooden floors is the fact that in most cases you can repair the damaged surfaces, without the need to replace the floor in the entire room. That is not the case with many other flooring solutions, where any damages, even small ones, are irreparable.
What is floor joist repair? ›To repair floor joists, the damaged joist is sistered together with a new piece of wood. Usually, the new piece of lumber spans the length of the old one. At times when this isn't possible, shorter pieces are used instead (this is sometimes referred to as scabbing).
Can rotten floor joists be repaired? ›The best way to repair deck joist rot is to sister new treated lumber onto a deck joist that has minimal wood rot. If just the top 1 inch of the joist is rotted, you can repair the rotted deck joist by screwing on a treated 2x4 to the existing floor joist.
What is the cheapest way to level a floor? ›If you want to raise the height of a floor, the cheapest and easiest way is to add a thick underlayment designed for the job. There are other options too like adding a framed wooden subfloor or floor leveling compound before installing new flooring.
Do uneven floors mean foundation problems? ›Structural or foundation damage is a major cause of uneven floors, and it's usually the most expensive problem to fix. Structural damage refers to issues with bearing walls, floor framing, roof framing and beams, all of which can cause the home's floors to warp under the weight of the problem.
What flooring can go over uneven floor? ›The best flooring for uneven floors due to its attractiveness and durability is epoxy, which can also be designed to mimic a wide variety of appearances. Not only will epoxy finish out the floor, but it'll also even it out.
Are sagging floors covered by insurance? ›Does home insurance cover foundation movement or sagging floors? Foundation damage caused by shifting or settling earth or sagging floors caused by rotting floor joists are typically not covered by homeowners insurance. If the damage is caused by flooding or an earthquake, you'll typically require separate coverage.
What happens if you don't fix sagging floors? ›Sagging floors are a sign of serious damage to the joists beneath your home and the structure of your home overall. Left untended, this can lead to injury, property loss, and disaster. Worse, insurance companies often will not pay for such losses or repairs if you ignored the issue once the early signs became visible.
Are sagging floors normal in old houses? ›If you own an old home there is a good chance you have soft or sagging floors because of how the house was constructed. Most old homes with sagging floors were not built on the modern concrete foundation, they are sitting on dirt.
Does Lowes repair subfloor? ›We are allowed to do minor repairs for you, but nothing too major. If the subfloor isn't sufficiently flat and the issue can be resolved by sanding the existing wood or concrete substrate then our installers can do the repair. However, Lowe's does not allow us to do structural repairs.
How do I know if my subfloor needs to be replaced? ›
There are many signs that your damaged subfloor should be replaced with a new subfloor. These include squeaks and other noises, cupping or warping, cracked or popped tiles, sagging or unevenness, the smell of mold or mildew, or bubbling tile.
What is the cheapest subfloor? ›Best for Cost: OSB
OSB costs significantly less than plywood subfloor sheets.
How much does it cost to remove and replace baseboards? The average cost to replace baseboards is $1,170, including materials and labor, plus an additional $50 to $100 per hour cost to remove baseboard that is already in place and dispose of it.
How much does it cost to install subflooring? ›The national average materials cost to install a subfloor is $3.05 per square foot, with a range between $2.85 to $3.25. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $12.20, coming in between $8.27 to $16.12. A typical 300 square foot project costs $3,659.05, with a range of $2,481.75 to $4,836.34.
Is it OK for subfloor to get wet? ›Subfloor materials are strong, but when water leaks beneath your finished flooring, the results can be expensive and disastrous. Subfloor water damage must be addressed immediately. Wet subflooring is not a problem that can wait.
Can you fix water damaged wood floors? ›Depending on the severity of damage, the hardwood floors may only need to be refinished. In some cases patching is required to replace the damaged boards prior to refinishing. In the worst case scenario, the entire floor needs to be removed and replaced.
How long does it take to replace a floor in a room? ›As a general rule, the process of installing a new floor can take anywhere from one day to several days, depending on the size of the space. The type of flooring you're using will also influence the length of time of your project.
When should I replace my floor? ›Carpet generally lasts about 10 years, while flooring types like tile, wood and laminate can last as long as 25-30 years. It all depends on how much damage they face over the years.
Do you fix floors or walls first? ›Once you have prepped your walls, you are ready to install the flooring in your home. You should do this before painting any of the walls. That way if you do cause any damage while installing the floors you don't have to repaint areas. This is especially important if you're installing hardwood floors in your home.
What does rotting subfloor smell like? ›However common characteristics of a typical dry rot smell include: Earthy odour. Mushroom-like smell. Musty and damp smell.
How do you know if you have mold under your floor? ›
Discoloured, distorted, and warped floorboards are a strong indicator that you have a mould problem. Mould often appears as discoloration, staining, or a fuzzy coloured growth on wooden floorboards. In most cases, a mould infestation follows a simple flooding incident in the house.
How do I know if my subfloor is water-damaged? ›How do I know if My Subfloor is Rotten? A water-damaged subfloor feels spongy underfoot. It might bounce or squeak when you walk across the room. Sagging boards, damp spots and unpleasant musty smells are also signs of a rotting subfloor.
Can you replace part of flooring? ›If you get a badly damaged board min the middle of your floor you can easily replace it. Experienced fitters can do this for you very effectively as the pictures below show.
Is fix a floor permanent? ›Permanent fix guaranteed for the life of your floor, (until you wish to remove & replace) Does not foam or expand.
What is the cheapest way to fix wood floors? ›Applying a Revitalizer. Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.
How much does it cost to replace old wood floors? ›Average Hardwood Flooring Cost. The average cost of installing hardwood floors is $3–$10 per square foot for materials and $3–$8 per square foot for labor, totaling $6–$18 per square foot. A single 200-square-foot room might cost $1,200–$3,600, while a 2,000-square-foot house could cost $12,000–$36,000.
How often should wood floors be replaced? ›In the same respect, most properly maintained hardwood floors can go anywhere from 20 to 30 years without needing any significant work done. Their longevity makes hardwood floors a great investment for any house. However, there will come a time when every hardwood floor will need to either be refinished or replaced.
How much do I joists cost? ›| We cut custom lengths, use $/ LF | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9 1/2″ | $5.47 | $197.00 |
| 11 7/8″ | $5.56 | $200.12 |
| 16″ | $7.52 | $270.78 |
| RIM BOARDS |
Damaged floor joists are something you should take seriously because neglecting them can lead to further damage.
How do you strengthen a floor? ›Fix bouncy floors by adding bridging, adding a layer of plywood or adding a wall or beam. We'll show you three ways to stiffen up your bouncy floor—by adding bridging, installing plywood along the joists and adding a wall or beam under the floor. Any one of the three can solve your problem, depending on your situation.
How much does it cost to repair one floor joist? ›
Repairing a floor joist costs between $200 and $500, while replacing one can cost as much as $2,000 per joist.
How much does it cost to replace rotten floor joists? ›The long beams that provide the main structural support for the floor can cost $200 to $500 per room or $10 to $67 per square foot to repair. A full replacement costs $5,000 to $20,000. If you're only repairing individual joists, expect to pay $100 to $300 per joist.
How much does it cost to repair a broken floor joist? ›a floor joist
The repair typically costs $250 to $300, according to experts who've done this type of work. If the joist is easy to access, but plumbing or electrical wires impede the repair, a contractor can reinforce the broken area with plywood.
Typically, floors that slope 1-1/2 inches or less in 20 feet is not a problem. Floors that sag 2 inches or more in 20 feet, though, are a cause for concern. Additional indicators of a significant problem include: Foundation cracks.
Will homeowners insurance cover sagging floors? ›Does home insurance cover foundation movement or sagging floors? Foundation damage caused by shifting or settling earth or sagging floors caused by rotting floor joists are typically not covered by homeowners insurance. If the damage is caused by flooding or an earthquake, you'll typically require separate coverage.
Can sagging floors collapse? ›Sagging floors are not only deformed and unappealing but they can be dangerous. They can collapse and cause injuries if they're not fixed quickly.
What causes a floor to sag? ›Floors can sag for many reasons. For instance, they may sag due to the natural settling of your property or building materials over time. However, a sagging floor may also signify damage from water leaks or pests, like termites. In other instances, your floors could sag due to plain old wear and tear.
How do you know if a floor is unstable? ›Bouncy and Sagging Floor
Do your floors feel springy when walking on them? Floors that are in good shape should feel solid underfoot. If they're bouncy, it likely means there's an issue with the support for the floor. Some floors may also dip, sag or slope from one end to the other.
Uneven floors are most common in old homes because the home's foundation shifts over time. For example, it may take about 15-20 years for a foundation to shift and the floors to become uneven.
Is it expensive to level a floor? ›Average Cost to Level the Floor in a House
On average, you are looking at about $3 – $5 per square foot. So, for a 100 square foot slab, it would generally cost between $300 and $500.
Can I level a floor myself? ›
Floor leveling is a relatively easy DIY project, although some subfloors with rot, insect damage, or structural issues may require professional attention.
How can I make my floor look expensive? ›Choose clean and simple lines with an as less natural pattern as possible. It looks simple and very elegant and it gives the entire floor a more “luxurious” appearance. Such wood floor grade has one more advantage – it will visually make any room look bigger, more spacious.
What are four things not covered by homeowners insurance? ›Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not include coverage for valuable jewelry, artwork, other collectibles, identity theft protection, or damage caused by an earthquake or a flood.
Will insurance pay to replace entire floor? ›Well this depends on your insurance company and your policy. Some policies will only compensate you IF the work is completed; some will only give you some of the money up front, and the remainder after you've paid for the work, or after you've submitted a signed contract with a flooring company.
What insurance do I need for flooring? ›Most states require workers' comp insurance for flooring installation businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical bills that health insurance might deny.