How much does it cost to repair a laminate floor?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Laminate flooring is a popular choice in many homes and has several advantages. This synthetic floor material is known for its strength and durability, lasting for up to 30 years. Laminate can withstand pet claws and daily spillages, and it is an affordable material. However, laminate floors can wear, developing issues like scratches, cracks, holes, and stains that need to be repaired.

The national average cost to repair a laminate floor is between $150 and $1,000, with most homeowners paying $500 to fix bubbling areas in a laminate floor. Prices may be higher or lower, based on the damage type and amount of work required to fix it. This project’s low cost is $50 to apply a small bit of repair tape over a scratched area. The high cost is $3,000 to have extensive sections of a water-damaged floor removed and replaced.

Laminate Floor Repair Cost

Cost to Repair a Laminate Floor per Square Foot

The average cost of laminate floor repairs is between $2 and $8 per sq.ft. The total price for laminate floor repairs depends on a range of factors, such as the floor type, amount of damage, and level of work required to fix the problem or replace the damaged section.

Laminate Floor Repair Cost by Type

One of the main factors influencing the cost of laminate floor repairs is the laminate type. There are various types of laminate flooring, including wood, stone, and classic tile. Some are easier and cheaper to repair than others as shown in the table below.

Laminate Tile Repair

The average cost to repair laminate tile floors is between $2 and $6 per sq.ft. This refers to standard laminate tiles with a plain color or a repeating pattern rather than those designed to imitate other materials like wood and stone. Basic laminate tiles are the easiest and cheapest to repair because they are relatively simple for contractors to patch damages and blend the repaired areas in with the floor.

Repair Stone Laminate Flooring

Homeowners spend between $2 and $7 per sq.ft. on repairs for stone laminate flooring. This price covers repairs for all laminate floor planks and tiles designed to look like stone materials, such as granite, marble, and limestone. It can be more costly to fix these tiles because extra care must be taken to allow the repaired area to blend with the pattern.

Wood Laminate Floor Repair

To repair a wood-style laminate floor, expect to pay between $2 and $8 per sq.ft. Wood-style laminate floors can be made to imitate a wide range of woods, including oak, pine, and mahogany. The reason why it often costs slightly more to have a wooden laminate floor repaired is because extra care must be taken to ensure the patched or replaced area blends with the wood grain pattern and does not stand out or look odd.

Laminate Floor Repair Cost by Problem

Many things can potentially go wrong with your laminate floor, from relatively minor issues like superficial scratches and small holes to more serious issues, such as extensive bubbling and water-damaged areas. Some problems are inexpensive and simple to fix, while others are more problematic. The table below shows common laminate flooring issues and the average costs to fix each for a typical 200 sq.ft. laminate floor.

Laminate Floor Stain Repair

Homeowners spend between $75 and $300 on laminate flooring stain repairs. The price mostly depends on the stain size and how hard it is to remove. Usually, most stains can be cleaned or buffed with the right products or tools. However, big and deep stains may be too tough to remove, so the stained area of the floor might have to be removed and patched or replaced.

Fix a Squeaky Laminate Floor

The average cost of repairs for a squeaky laminate floor is between $75 and $350. Squeakiness is common in laminate floors and could be caused by moisture or issues with the subfloor or underlayment. A simple DIY remedy for this is to pour talcum powder onto the floor, but a long-term fix involves applying construction adhesive in the joints between tiles and planks.

Laminate Floor Scratch Repair

The average cost to repair scratched laminate flooring is between $75 and $450. The price depends on the scratch size and depth. Minor superficial scratches can be covered easily with repair tape or filled with materials like wood glue, but deeper scratches may require more extensive patching.

Fix Gaps in Laminate Flooring

Repairing gaps in laminate flooring costs between $100 and $500. Gaps can start to appear in laminate floors after they have been used for years due to changes in humidity and temperature or because of issues that went unnoticed during installation. A specialist can use wood glue to fill in minor gaps, a tool called a floor gap fixer to fix slightly bigger gaps, or may even need to install new pieces of flooring for larger gaps.

Fix a Hole in a Laminate Floor

Homeowners pay between $100 and $500 to fix holes in their laminate flooring. The price depends on the hole size and amount of work needed to fix it. Small holes are usually inexpensive and easy to fix because they can be filled with putty and sanded to blend. Larger holes may require big patches or a contractor may even replace the damaged tile or area entirely.

Cracked Laminate Flooring

If you notice a crack in your laminate floor, expect to pay between $100 and $500 for repairs. The total cost depends on the crack length and depth, with longer and deeper cracks requiring more materials and labor costs to fix. Usually, minor cracks can be filled with wood glue or other filler materials, while deeper and bigger cracks need to be treated with putty. The cracked sections may also need to be replaced.

Fix Soft Spots in Laminate Flooring

The average cost of laminate floor soft spot repairs is between $150 and $450. Soft spots in your laminate floor could be caused by an issue with the subfloor or underlayment. A contractor may need to use a special air inflation needle or syringe to inject foam beneath the planks or tiles to make them firmer and give the floor a more balanced look and feel.

Laminate Floor Bubble Repair

When dealing with bubbling in your laminate floor, repair costs range between $200 and $800. The total price of this repair depends on the extent of the bubbling. Bubbling in laminate floors is when air bubbles appear, ruining the aesthetic of the floor. Different methods may be used to deal with bubbles, such as slicing them open and fixing the damage or replacing the bubbling section.

Laminate Floor Cupping Repair

Repairing cupping in laminate floors averages $250 to $750. Cupping refers to a laminate floor that is higher and peeling around the edges. This usually happens because of too much moisture or humidity in the room or subfloor. Usually, tiles and planks that are cupping simply need to be removed and replaced with new ones, but you could dry and keep them intact if the cupping is spotted and dealt with quickly.

Repair Water-Damaged Laminate Flooring

If your laminate floor has water damage, expect to spend between $500 and $3,000 on repairs. This can be one of the most expensive issues to fix, which is why it is so important to act fast if your laminate floor gets wet and swollen. A contractor may need to find and stop the source of the water damage, dry and salvage sections that can be repaired, and replace parts that have been extensively damaged.

Mold Under Laminate Flooring

When dealing with mold under laminate flooring, homeowners spend between $650 and $3,000 to remove and deal with it. Mold can start to appear and grow throughout the subfloor of a laminate floor from excess moisture and humidity, and it can become dangerous if left untreated. You need to call a mold remediation specialist to identify the mold and deal with it, and it is likely that large sections of the floor will need to be replaced.

Cost to Repair a Laminate Floor by Solution

A wide range of repair methods may be used to fix laminate flooring problems, and the right method depends on the damage type you are dealing with. For example, patching and putty may be used to repair damages like scratches, cracks, and holes, while total floor refinishing may be needed for laminate floors that have suffered water damage. The table below shows common repair solutions and the average costs of each for a 200 sq.ft. floor.

Repair Tape

Repair tape for laminate floors ranges between $50 and $100. Repair tape is tape designed to look like many kinds of laminate flooring, including wood and stone-style tiles and planks. So, if your floor has superficial damages, you can place tape over the damaged area and cover them without affecting the floor’s aesthetic. This is one of the cheapest laminate floor repair methods.

Filler for Laminate Floors

The average cost to use floor filler on a damaged laminate floor is between $75 and $250. Typically, filler is used when the floor has damages, such as holes and cracks. Common filler materials include putty, epoxy, and even wood glue. These filler materials can be used to fill sections where the floor has been damaged or worn and then sanded and painted to blend with the floor.

Putty Repairs

Homeowners spend between $75 and $250 on putty repairs for laminate floors. Putty is another filler material that may be used on laminate floors. It can be used to fill in gaps and scratches and is usually used for deeper damages, with other filler materials being used for the lighter scratches and nicks. Putty can fill in deep holes and gaps and can then be sanded to blend.

Steaming

Homeowners pay between $100 and $250 to steam their laminate floors. Steaming is a process that can get rid of dents in your laminate floors, which may appear due to accidents or heavy furniture being placed on the floors. This process involves applying water and a hot iron onto the floor to gradually bring out the dent and leave the floor looking flat and new.

Patching

Patching a damaged laminate floor costs $100 to $450. Patching is a repair method usually used for cosmetic damages like holes and cracks. For this method, a contractor needs to cut a new piece of replacement laminate to fill or replace a damaged area and ensure it blends seamlessly with the floor. Prices vary based on the flooring type and patch size.

Refinishing

Refinishing laminate flooring averages $500 to $1,500. Refinishing or resurfacing involves refreshing the floor. During this process, a contractor usually cleans the floor to get rid of surface stains and excess dirt, and apply a chemical solution and/or use a floor buffer to smooth out scratches or light damages. They may then apply a stain and finishing solution to give the floor a brand new look.

Labor Cost to Repair a Laminate Floor

Contractors and floor repair specialists charge between $50 and $100 per hour to fix laminate flooring. Prices can be higher in certain areas, and you may need to pay extra if you live in a remote location that is hard to access or takes a long time to get to. Some workers may charge call-out fees of around $50 to $75, but these fees are usually waived if you hire the workers for the necessary repairs on your floor.

Many contractors charge by the hour, and jobs can take from one or two hours to one or two full days of work, depending on the extent of the damage. It may be possible to negotiate a discounted rate with your contractor for very long jobs. They may also have a set fee for the job, regardless of the time taken. You usually pay an extra $100 to $200 for urgent or emergency repairs.

Laminate Floor Maintenance

If you want to save money on laminate floor repairs and reduce the risk of flooring problems, the best thing to do is look after your laminate floors as well as you can. And there are plenty of ways for homeowners to keep laminate floors protected and in good condition for years.

The first thing to do is keep your floor clean. Avoid letting dust and dirt accumulate on the floor. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean daily messes and use a mop every month or two, without too much water, to keep the floor looking and feeling fresh. Clean up spillages right away, too. You can also get into the habit of sweeping the floor daily with a soft-bristled broom to remove dirt and use appropriate laminate floor cleaners to keep it clean.

It is also a good idea to avoid walking on the laminate floor in heavy boots or shoes or dragging large and heavy items across it. Laminate floors are designed to be strong and durable, but they do not last forever and wear faster if you walk on them in shoes regularly or drag things along them.

Keep a close eye on your laminate floor and look out for warning signs or problems which may start to appear. Most flooring problems start small, such as a little crack or hole, and get bigger if left unattended. So, if you can spot and fix something early, you could save yourself a lot of hassle and cash later. Inspect the floor regularly for minor damages and take action quickly to keep your floor in the best condition.

You can also take small actions to reduce the risk of damage to your laminate floor. For example, adding rugs or mats to areas with laminate flooring can give the floor an extra layer of protection. If you have pets in the home, remember to trim their nails to reduce the risk of scratch damage.

Repair vs Replace Laminate Floor

Depending on the extent of the damage to your laminate floor, you may hesitate between repairing or replacing it. Usually, it is best to ask a flooring professional for their expert opinion on the matter because they can assess the situation and use their experience to recommend either a repair or replacement. However, it is ultimately up to the homeowners to decide which option to opt for, and you need to consider several factors to make the right decision.

The most important thing to think about is cost. The average cost to have a new laminate floor installed is between $1,500 and $3,500, with most homeowners spending around $2,207 on laminate floor installation in a 200 sq.ft. room. You may also have additional costs to remove the old floor, with a standard 200 sq.ft. floor costing around $400 to remove. So, if the estimated cost of your repairs are high or you have to pay out regularly because of recurring issues with your laminate floor, it may be a better value to replace it.

Another key factor to think about is age. Laminate floors can last around 30 years. They start to degrade as they get older, leading to higher risks of problems and more costly repairs. So, if your floor is old and has already been in place for 20+ years, it may be time to think about replacing it.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Painting Laminate Flooring

The cost of painting a standard 200 sq.ft. laminate floor is $250 to $450. This fee should include materials and labor, but prices may be higher or lower depending on the floor size and paint type. Painting a laminate floor can be a cost-effective way to revitalize it and bring an old floor back to life rather than replacing it.

Threshold Replacement

The cost to replace a threshold on a laminate floor ranges from $100 to $250. The price depends on the materials and amount of labor needed to replace the threshold. Thresholds are the transitional areas between two rooms or two floor types. They are often made of laminate but can get damaged due to heavy foot traffic and wear, so they eventually need to be replaced.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Pet proofing. Laminate flooring usually has a built-in pet protection in a “wear layer.” This wear layer is a scratch-resistant outer layer of material that can withstand dog claws and cat scratches, which is why laminate is such a popular option for pet owners. However, damaged laminate can be more prone to pet damage, so it needs to be repaired promptly.
• Warranty. Laminate floor installations usually come with a warranty, which could last several years. It is important to check what coverage you have and ensure you are aware of your rights when handling repair issues and damages to your floor.
• DIY. Homeowners can carry out small repair jobs themselves to save money. You can buy laminate floor repair kits for around $15 to $25 to rejuvenate old laminate floors and patch minor scratches, holes, and other cosmetic damages. For bigger repairs, it is best to call a professional.
• Wax pencil. Homeowners can also use simple wax pencils to fill minor scratches in a laminate floor. However, you have to be careful to find a pencil of the right color to blend with the floor.