In this guide

Floor Repair Cost by Material

The type of flooring you have is the most significant driving factor behind the cost to fix it, with most repair projects falling in the $100 to $6,000 price range. Each material wears and acquires damage in different ways, which dictates how the repairs are carried out and the average repair cost. Some repairs are done on the surface of your existing structure, while others require the damaged section to be removed and replaced, influencing your total costs:

Tile Floor Repair

The most common problems you find with a tile surface are cracking and lippage. Cracking occurs when there is movement beneath the tile or when the tile was improperly installed. Lippage is a condition where a corner of the tile sticks up, which can cause trips or breakage of that corner. In either case, the best scenario is to chisel out the old tile, replace it, and regrout the surrounding area. Depending on how many tiles are affected, this costs $100 to $1,000.

Laminate Floor Repair Cost

Depending on how many planks are affected, fixing a laminate surface costs $100 to $1,400. Most laminate surfaces have similar problems. Minor issues include scratches and gouges, while the bigger ones can be swelling and buckling from improper installation or moisture. Minor surface damage may sometimes be filled with putty, but replacing the affected planks is the most common method of repairing a laminate area. This is done by removing all planks to the affected one, replacing it, and reinstalling the rest.

Carpet Repair Costs

Carpet repairs cost from $100 for fixing a small tear up to $2,000 for restretching and patching a larger section. Carpets can develop several problems over their lifespan, and many of them are easily fixed to restore your carpet to its former condition. These include rips and tears, burns, stains, and sagging of the carpet. If the carpet has been used for a long period and has several tears, repairing it may not be possible. Older, handmade carpets are more expensive to fix because they require a professional approach.

Vinyl Floor Repair

Vinyl is a flexible, resilient, plastic flooring material that comes in many forms, from sheets to floating tiles. It can develop many different problems, from cracks and tears to curling and lifting and cost between $100 and $4,000 to repair. Sheet vinyl may be heated and stretched, then glued back into place to hide a tear, while curling tiles are removed and replaced. The glue used to stick down vinyl grows stronger, so removing the material can be demanding.

Hardwood Floor Repair Cost

The price to fix hardwood ranges from $100 to $6,000. When the damage is severe, refinishing the entire floor is also needed, adding $800 to $1,600 to the project cost. Hardwood surfaces can be made of many species. They can be solid or engineered, which impacts how they are made and installed, affecting how easily damage is made and how it’s repaired. The most common issue that hardwood faces is surface damage - stains, scratches, and gouges. However, some surfaces in a wet area may be damaged by water and need replacement, which increases the total price to fix it.

Engineered Wood Floor Repair

Engineered wood is a subtype of hardwood. The price for repairs is the same, $100 to $6,000.It has a piece of wood veneer on top of layers of plywood running in opposite directions. This type is more stable and resistant to moisture. It is fixed just like solid hardwood, but it usually needs repairs less often. The one difference is that while solid hardwood can be refinished an infinite number of times, engineered hardwood may only be refinished 5 or 6 times over its lifetime.

Concrete Flooring Repair

Concrete repairs have a range of $180 to $2,500, depending on the damage level. Concrete is a trendy flooring type found in many modern homes. It can also be found in basements and other areas where the concrete has been polished to become the main surface, rather than installing another surface on top. Concrete is durable, but it cracks and is susceptible to moisture. The most common repairs are filling cracks and leveling, which are required if the surface settles or slumps.

Bamboo Flooring Repair

The price to repair a bamboo surface ranges from $200 to $1,900, depending on the extent of the damage. The age and type of your bamboo dictate a large part of your repair costs. Many older bamboo surfaces are only a thin veneer that scratches and gouges easily. The only way to fix bamboo is to replace the impacted planks. Newer options have a thicker veneer and can be refinished to remove surface damage.

Cork Flooring Repair

Cork is a fairly resilient material that holds up well long term, but it can still be damaged from heavy use. The cost to repair it is between $200 and $2,000, depending on how many tiles or planks are affected.Cracked planks or tiles and gouges are the two most common problems. The method to fix it is usually to replace the impacted section. This may mean digging up the affected tile or taking up a floating floor such as laminate and replacing the impacted section before reinstalling the rest.

Floor Repair Cost by Problem

Depending on the type of problem you have, you can expect to spend between $100 and $10,000 to fix the floor. Sometimes the problems are caused by something other than the material. In some cases, the problem can be limited to the surface layer, while other times, the damage will be more serious. This may be when moisture is involved or when the subfloor or joists are the problems. Some issues are more common than others, depending on the age and type:

Floor Scratch Repair

Scratches are common in laminate, some types of vinyl, and many types of wood floors. The repair price typically ranges from $100 to $1,000, depending on how badly scratched the it is.Minor scratches may be filled or buffed away, particularly on wood. Deeper scratches in laminate and vinyl require lifting and replacing the damaged planks, while deeper scratches in wood require you to refinish the surface.

Cost to Fix Squeaky Floors

Depending on how many squeaky spots you have, the price to fix them ranges from $200 to $1,000. Squeaking happens for several reasons, usually due to movement in the underlayment or weakening of the structure itself. The underlayment may need to be screwed down more tightly. Or, you may have gaps between the floor and the subfloor that can be filled with a little adhesive and some wood shims.

Fix Bubble In Vinyl Flooring

Some types of vinyl flooring and older sheet linoleum may get a bubble. This has a price range of $225 to $600, depending on how large the section is. This is caused by the adhesive separating unevenly in this area, allowing moisture or air to become trapped and form a bubble. To fix this, you need to lift the area, reapply the adhesive, and stretch, reset, and roll the affected section back down. Sometimes, you may need to replace a section if it is too worn to reattach.

Floor Buckling Repair

If buckling is happening is because of one of two reasons: they were installed without an expansion gap around the perimeter or water below them. Its repair costs between $225 and $3,000, depending on how large the section is.In both cases, the fix is the same. Remove the baseboards, and unclick and remove the flooring until you reach the affected section. Replace the buckled boards, and reinstall the rest.

Warped Floor Repair

Floors warp for the same reasons that they buckle, improper installation or moisture. The repair price is $225 to $3,000, depending on how many boards need to be fixed. The most common reason for warping is standing water or heavy moisture below the surface. It can result in it losing its shape or deteriorating in quality. The surface needs to be fixed before it causes more serious problems. The flooring needs to come up, the damaged boards replaced, and the rest of the boards reinstalled.

Water Damage Floor Repair Cost

A wide range of costs is associated with repairing water damage, from $1,000 for minor damage to $4,000 for an entire new subfloor, cleaning, drying, and new installation. Water damage can take on many forms. A small amount of moisture causes buckling and warping in wood, bamboo, laminate, and vinyl. A significant amount of water can damage the subfloor, which means that in addition to fixing the upper surface, you also have to add water damage subfloor repair costs. Small amounts of water damage can mean removing and replacing the affected section. More severe issues can mean removing all the flooring, fixing or replacing the subflooring, and installing a new surface. You may have additional problems with mold if it is not caught quickly, and the area may need to be cleaned and dried before repairs begin.

Sunken Floor Repair

If you have a sunken floor, the problem is not with the surface itself. It is likely what is below the surface causing the problem. The price to fix this is $200 to $400 per joist, with most repairs costing $2,000 to $10,000 on average. Your subfloor or joists need to be fixed or replaced to lift the upper layer. With concrete, a sunken area means that the floor needs to be lifted or jacked up from below. In most cases, fixing a sunken surface is done by “sistering” the joists by installing new material beside the existing joists to strengthen or replace them.

Cost to Fix Uneven Floors

The price to fix uneven floors is $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how large the area is. Uneven surfaces have the same cause as sunken ones: old and sagging joists, and the floor needs to be lifted and reinforced with either sistered joists or brand new ones, depending on the issue. Many uneven surfaces need to have all the joists done, even if only one side is sloping because bracing one side stresses the other if it is not done simultaneously.

Sagging Floor Repair Costs

Depending on how large the sagging area is, the price to fix a floor price ranges between $2,000 and $10,000. Sagging is another problem that you see with old, damaged joists. It can be caused by water-eating insects, rotten wood due to water leaks, undersized beams, or soil settlement. The process to fix sagging is similar to that of uneven and sunken floors. The joists that are sagging or damaged need to be braced, reinforced, or replaced. This brings the surface back to level.

Floor Repair Cost by Solution

Depending on the solution, the flooring repair price starts at $100 for minor repairs and goes to $10,000 if new leveling is needed in a room. Most of the time, any issue you encounter with your surface has one recommended solution to fix the problem. However, some issues have a few different solutions. For example, a scratched surface can be spot treated or completely refinished. Not every solution is the best choice for every scenario, but there are times when you may have the ability to opt for a less expensive repair to stop further damage from occurring:

Floorboard Repair Cost

The price is $100 to $225 per damaged floorboard to be fixed. If you have a single floorboard that is damaged, it can be repaired in a couple of ways. It can be filled with putty and sanded and stained. Or a strong glue can join the two ends of the floorboard if the crack is small. However, if the damage is more extensive, a more frequent repair method can be used, such as removing and replacing the affected board.

Floor Patching

If you have old sheet vinyl, carpet, or linoleum that has a hole in it, you may need it to be patched. Depending on the size of the area that needs repairing, the price range is $150 to $600 a patch. Patching includes removing the damaged section and replacing it with a new piece, either from leftover material or new material that is a close match. There are also several pre-mixed patches used to fill holes in different materials.

Floor Joist Repair Cost

Joist repairs have a price of $200 to $400. If you notice that the joists start to crack, squeak, or rot, it can signify underlying problems. It may be beginning to separate from the subfloor, fungal growth may be eating away the joists, or the joist may simply be giving away under pressure from the weight. If you have a damaged or weakened joist, it can be repaired by bracing the floor or the most common method of repairing, sistering the joists. This is usually done by putting a new joist alongside the old one to help carry the load. It lends strength to an existing joist so that you do not need to remove the old joist to fix the structure.

Subfloor Repair Cost

Repairing a subfloor means removing and replacing the damaged section or sections, costing around $250 to $1,200 per room. If your subfloor has sustained damage, you may need to fix it to keep your floor level and even. You may also need to fix or replace the subfloor if the floor above has been affected by moisture. However, if you notice more significant problems like flooding, uneven installation, or bouncing while walking across it, it’s better to replace the subfloor rather than fix it.

Floor Refinishing Cost

The price of refinishing is between $800 and $1,600, depending on the size of the area you want to refinish. Refinishing is a great way to restore old hardwood with surface damage like scratches, gouges, and minor hills or valleys. It involves sanding down the existing surface and giving it a new finish. This removes scratches and other minor surface wear and protects it from future damage.

Floor Leveling Cost

Leveling has a price range of $900 to $10,000, depending on the room size. If your surface is uneven, sagging, sloping, or not level, you likely have sagging joists. Your joists need to be braced or replaced to level the surface. This type of leveling is different from subfloor leveling. Leveling a subfloor doesn’t require replacing the joists or floorboards, but only the subfloor, which is why it’s a lot less expensive than leveling. Leveling requires the floor to be removed, reinforced with new joists, and put back, which would make the surface look even. It is very uncommon for a single joist to go at once, so you likely need to do several, if not all, to fix the problem. Doing this keeps the floor leveled and fixes its visual imperfections. It also ensures that the pressure is more evenly dispersed throughout the whole surface.

Floor Repair Cost by Type of Replacement

Replacing a floor costs $3 to $219 per sq.ft. for subfloor and floorboard replacement and between $100 and $300 per joist. Sometimes when your structure is damaged, replacing it is better than fixing it. If you need to replace a few boards or tiles and do not have a good match, making the repair very obvious, a replacement restores the appearance. Other times, if the damage is widespread and you are repairing more than 50% of the floor, you may opt for a total replacement because it gives the best-looking results. Sometimes if the issues were caused by faulty installation, such as squeaking or buckling from a lack of expansion gap, replacing the surface allows you to address these issues so that they do not recur.

Subfloor Replacement Cost

Replacing the subfloor with removal and disposal of the existing subfloor included costs between $3.50 and $12 per sq.ft. The subfloor is the basis for good flooring and ensures that the surface is sturdy and stable. In most cases, when the subfloor is uneven, soft, sagging, or squeaks, it can be repaired. But when water damage, wood rot, or termites attack it, the only solution is to replace it.

Replacing Floorboards Cost

Replacing floorboards typically costs $3 to $219 per sq.ft. The most common reason for replacement is surface damage caused by scratches, dents, or holes. Sometimes, the floorboards may start to sag, squeak, or feel spongy when walking on them, which indicates that they need replacing. In most cases, replacing a few boards solves the problem. However, if you need to replace more than 50% of the boards in the room, it makes more sense to install new flooring.

Floor Joist Replacement Cost

If you need to replace the joists completely, the price is much higher at $300 to $2,000 per joist. The joists are one of the most important parts of the structure. They support the weight of the floor and ensure the floorboards and subfloor will withstand the pressure of the furniture and traffic. The higher price of replacement is because you need to brace and hold the floor while the new joists go in or the entire floor needs to be replaced at the same time.

Labor Cost to Repair Floor

The hourly rate charged by contractors is $25 to $100 per hour, depending on the type of professional you need. Our average repair project of $2,000 would take 8 to 16 hours to complete. This means you can expect to spend between $200 and $1,600 for the labor costs and the remaining $400 to $1,800 for the materials used in the process. The contractor first assesses the damaged area and determines the type of repair it needs. While cracks, uneven leveling, scratches, and dents are easily visible, the floor may have underlying problems extending beyond the surface. These may include molding, separation of the tile with the grout, or joint issues.

Once the contractor has assessed the problematic area, they determine the right approach. When the affected area is small, the costs are lower because there is not much effort or time spent on the repair. However, if you need to move furniture, or the contractor needs to work around electrical or plumbing installations and appliances, they will need to be extra careful. This increases the time needed to do the repair, and with it, the cost.

Usually, the repair is done within a day. However, the exact price you will pay for labor depends on different factors. If the affected area is larger, it will take a few days to complete. Suppose the cause of repair is water damage. The ground needs to dry out before doing the repair or replacement. This extends the time up to a week depending on the severity of the damage and the size of the area being repaired.

Floor Repair Cost by Location

Fixing the kitchen and bathroom floor costs $175 to $5,000, depending on the extent of the damage and the exact spot that requires replacing. The most common rooms in the home that require repair are the bathroom and the kitchen. This is because people stand for longer periods of time on these surfaces. Therefore, the floorboards and joists take more pressure in certain areas. They also have a higher risk of suffering water damage due to the proximity of multiple plumbing installations. Here are the most common issues for each room and how much you can expect to pay to fix them:

Bathroom Floor Repair Cost

The bathroom floor repair costs are usually in the $175 to $2,000 price range. The majority of bathroom floors are usually clad in tile, with some also using vinyl or another water-resistant covering. The most common issues impacting a bathroom floor are tile cracking, grout cracking and replacement, and occasionally separation or bubbling. If your bathroom floor is uneven and you use a tile larger than 6 to 8 inches in width, you are likely to experience cracks. This is especially true in older homes, and it is recommended that you replace your bathroom flooring with mosaics to address this problem. Most bathroom are small enough that removing any of the flooring surrounding the impacted area involves replacing the floor and addressing the underlying issues.

Bathroom Subfloor Replacement Cost

Replacing the subflooring for the average 35 to 75 sq.ft. bathroom is around $400 to $750. If you have cracking tiles in the bathroom or moisture issues, one thing that addresses both issues is installing a new subfloor. If moisture is the issue, then the surface needs to be removed and dried before the new flooring is put down. This increases the time needed to complete the project and the overall cost.

Kitchen Floor Repair

Fixing a kitchen floor costs $500 to $5,000, depending on the extent of the damage. The most common material used for kitchen surfaces is tile. Tiles are the easiest to clean and maintain, highly scratch-resistant, and due to the way they are manufactured, one of the most waterproof materials. However, tiles can have a lot of issues with the joints. If you stand for long periods, it can be very hard on the joints, causing them to lose their stability. This means that the joints would have to be fixed or replaced more frequently, which can be an expensive project.

Kitchen Subfloor Repair

Kitchen subfloor repairs come at the price of $350 to $1,200. As tiles are installed on grout, mold can often be an issue with the subfloor. The grout is not waterproof, so mold can start growing and damage the tiles from the inside out. Another problem is an uneven installation, which may lead to the tiles or grout separating and cracking. The contractor will inspect the type of problem you have with the subfloor and determine the right method of repairing. If work around the appliances or installations is required, the project price will increase.

Mobile Home Floor Repair Cost

Most problems with mobile home floors can be fixed for $100 to $6,000 depending on the type of repair. Mobile homes have problems similar to other homes, and the price to fix them mostly depends on the type and extent of the damage. Buckling and warping are likely due to improper installation or moisture problems and will set you back around $225 to $3,000 to address. Scratched floors are fixed for $100 to $1,000, depending on the extent of the scratches. Carpeting is fixed for $100 to $2,000.

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Floor Repair vs Replacement

Fixing a floor costs from $3 to $219 per sq.ft. and $100 to $300 per joist, depending on which section you’re fixing. It can be difficult to separate repairing and replacement from one another because often, they go hand in hand. Sometimes, the damage will be minimal, and only a small area will require repairing. Mold or cracking can be limited to a specific area or one board. However, a full replacement would make sense because the price to fix the floor would be far higher. Other times, you may need to replace a section, such as individual floorboards, because they cannot be fixed while the majority of the floor is in good shape. Below is a table that compares the costs of replacement with the costs of fixing.

Enhancements and Improvement Costs

Floor Cleaning Cost

The price to clean flooring depends on the type. Carpet cleaning costs between $75 and $300, and tile cleaning costs between $250 and $700. Cleaning hardwood costs $75 to $300, depending on the room’s level of grime and size. Cleaning doesn’t only remove the dirt and stains from it, but it helps it look newer and preserves its new appearance for an extended time. If you have had one section fixed, cleaning the entire surface brings it to life. It also makes it safer and healthier for anyone entering the room.

Radiant Floor Heating Cost

Radiant heating costs around $20,000 to $40,000. If you are replacing your flooring, this may be a good time to install radiant heating. It’s a very comfortable and energy-efficient way of heating a home. The floors and furniture are heated directly, which increases the temperature in the room and the house faster. As the air rises evenly, the heat is more consistent and with fewer cold spots in the room.