Empire Today flooring prices depend on flooring type, room size, removal needs, and local labor rates; the company generally provides a project-specific quote rather than one national price list. For planning, many professionally installed projects fall around $2,000-$7,000, with carpet near the low end and hardwood or larger jobs costing more.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet installation | $3 per sq ft | $5 per sq ft | $8 per sq ft | Carpet and basic installation |
| Vinyl or luxury vinyl | $4 per sq ft | $6.50 per sq ft | $10 per sq ft | Product grade and subfloor affect price |
| Laminate flooring | $4 per sq ft | $6.50 per sq ft | $10 per sq ft | Installed, before major floor repairs |
| Hardwood flooring | $8 per sq ft | $12 per sq ft | $18 per sq ft | Species, finish, and installation method vary |
| Typical 500-sq-ft project | $1,500 | $3,250 | $9,000 | Material, labor, and ordinary prep assumed |
What Empire Today may charge for a 500-square-foot floor
For a 500-square-foot area, a practical installed budget is about $1,500-$4,000 for carpet, $2,000-$5,000 for laminate or vinyl, and $4,000-$9,000 for hardwood. Average projects commonly land near $2,500-$3,500 for carpet or resilient flooring and $6,000 for midrange hardwood, before unusual repairs or upgrades.
These are planning estimates, not an official Empire Today price schedule or guaranteed quote. They assume standard residential products, ordinary room access, and no extensive leveling or moisture work. A measured estimate can differ by product availability, market, promotions, and what the written proposal includes.
How flooring material, labor, and removal shape the quote
The final proposal may combine flooring, installation, preparation, and removal into one total. Ask for itemized details so the per-square-foot figure can be compared fairly with other bids.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring material | $1.50-$12 per sq ft | Fiber, wear layer, wood species, and product tier |
| Installation labor | $1.50-$5 per sq ft | Layout, stairs, transitions, and installation method |
| Old floor removal | $1-$4 per sq ft | Carpet is usually simpler than glued flooring |
| Subfloor preparation | $0.50-$3 per sq ft | Leveling, patching, or replacing damaged areas |
| Trim and transitions | $3-$12 per linear ft | Material, doorways, and amount of finishing work |
Removal and subfloor work are common reasons two quotes for the same room differ. Labor calculations can also vary by how a contractor measures waste and whether furniture moving, disposal, and trim are included.
Why room size, plank width, and floor condition change prices
Small rooms may have a higher effective rate because setup and minimum labor charges are spread over fewer square feet. In open areas above roughly 700 square feet, the per-square-foot rate may improve, although more material and longer installation still raise the total. Complex layouts, closets, and many doorways add cutting time.
Material specifications matter too. A basic vinyl plank may cost less than a thicker product with a 20-mil wear layer; premium engineered hardwood can exceed standard laminate by several dollars per square foot. Unevenness exceeding about 1/8 inch over 6 feet may require leveling, while moisture readings outside the flooring maker’s limits can call for testing or mitigation.
Measure the full work area and confirm the product grade before comparing totals. A quote for 500 square feet may include roughly 5%-10% extra flooring for cuts and waste, depending on the room shape and installation pattern.
How regional labor rates affect an Empire Today estimate
Metropolitan markets with higher wages and housing costs can run about 10%-25% above a typical national planning range. Smaller cities or rural areas may come in 5%-15% lower, but travel distance, limited installer availability, and local disposal charges can offset the difference. These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional Empire Today surcharges.
Local labor and project access can matter as much as the flooring label. Quotes may also vary within one metro area depending on stairs, parking, building rules, and whether an installer must work around occupied rooms.
Three flooring quotes for common room sizes
A 250-square-foot bedroom with midgrade carpet might total $1,000-$1,750 at $4-$7 per square foot, with around 8-12 labor hours and ordinary carpet removal. A 500-square-foot living area in midrange luxury vinyl might cost $2,750-$4,500 at $5.50-$9 per square foot, including basic prep and about 18-28 labor hours.
A 700-square-foot main floor in engineered hardwood could total $6,300-$11,900 at $9-$17 per square foot, with approximately 30-45 labor hours. Those totals can rise if old tile needs removal, the subfloor requires extensive leveling, or trim and transitions are upgraded.
Use these examples to test whether a written bid is in a plausible range, not to predict a guaranteed offer. The hours represent crew time and can vary with room shape, furniture, product acclimation requirements, and site conditions.
What removal, stairs, and floor repairs can add
Carpet removal and disposal may add $1-$2 per square foot; glued vinyl or tile removal can reach $2-$6 per square foot because scraping is slower and debris heavier. Stairs are often priced separately, commonly around $10-$30 per step for carpet or more for hard-surface installations that need detailed cuts and nosing.
Furniture moving can cost roughly $25-$75 per room when included as a separate service. Subfloor repair may be quoted after old material is removed, since hidden damage is difficult to verify during an initial measurement. Confirm whether the estimate includes hauling, toilet or appliance removal, and floor protection.
Request written approval before extra work begins if concealed damage changes the price. That helps distinguish necessary repairs from optional trim, underlayment, or finish upgrades.
How to lower the flooring bill without cutting corners
Keep the project within a simple scope: install one product across connected rooms, limit decorative borders, and choose a standard color or grade rather than a specialty finish. Clearing furniture and small items before installation may reduce handling charges, while scheduling outside peak demand can improve appointment flexibility.
Compare at least two itemized quotes using the same square footage, product specification, removal scope, and warranty terms. Ask whether a lower-cost product still meets household needs, and avoid paying for subfloor replacement unless inspection supports it. Repairing a sound floor may also be cheaper than replacing it solely to change appearance.
The most useful savings come from comparing equivalent installed scopes, not headline material prices. Verify the measured area, waste allowance, labor, disposal, transitions, and any promotion’s conditions before accepting the total.