Cost to Install Laminate Flooring in a Kitchen in 2026
Laminate sold as waterproof costs $612 to $1,108 installed in a 150 sq ft kitchen and $816 to $1,478 in 200 sq ft: $4.08 to $7.39 per sq ft, from Home Depot and Floor & Decor shelf prices and Home Depot's last published labour (13 October 2026). Taking up the old floor adds about $293 on 150 sq ft.
Updated 15 November 2026. How we priced this.
Kitchen Laminate Cost by Size
| Kitchen | Sq ft | Mid-range (AC4) installed | Premium (AC5) installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galley | 100 | $408 to $629 | $529 to $739 |
| Small kitchen | 150 | $612 to $943 | $793 to $1,108 |
| Mid-size kitchen | 200 | $816 to $1,258 | $1,058 to $1,478 |
| Large kitchen | 250 | $1,020 to $1,572 | $1,322 to $1,847 |
| Open plan with island | 350 | $1,428 to $2,201 | $1,851 to $2,586 |
Floor area you lay, not the room: leave out the cabinet footprint. National labour; removal, film and trim are below.
What Gets Added to a Kitchen Quote
| Item | Price | 150 sq ft | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take up the old floor | $1.95/sq ft average | $293 | Home Depot cost guide |
| 6 mil film over concrete | $0.23/sq ft | $35 | Floor & Decor roll price |
| Quarter round at cabinets and walls | $14.99 to $17.19 per 94 in piece | By length | Floor & Decor |
| Moving furniture | $35 for up to six large pieces | Ask about appliances | Home Depot cost guide |
| Moving appliances, undercutting the toe-kick | Not published | Ask | No source we read prices these |
Home Depot's install project includes the measure, underlayment, moldings and trim, and its installers level the subfloor first; removal of the old floor and subfloor prep raise the price. See floor removal cost for removal by floor type.
Kitchen Cost by Region (150 Sq Ft)
| Region | Labour / sq ft | Mid-range installed | Premium installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $2.41 to $3.61 | $674 to $1,035 | $855 to $1,200 |
| Midwest | $1.95 to $2.93 | $605 to $933 | $786 to $1,098 |
| South | $1.66 to $2.48 | $561 to $865 | $742 to $1,030 |
| West | $2.11 to $3.17 | $629 to $969 | $810 to $1,134 |
An estimate: labour scaled by each region's BLS mean floor-layer wage (May 2025), employment-weighted across its states. Your state is in the laminate flooring cost calculator.
Laminate or Something Else in a Kitchen?
| If | Choose |
|---|---|
| You want a 12mm plank with a pad and a waterproof claim at the lowest price | Mid-range laminate from $1.89 per sq ft |
| The kitchen opens onto the entry or takes heavy traffic | Premium AC5 laminate; see AC5 laminate cost |
| Standing water is likely (ice maker, old dishwasher) | Compare vinyl plank or tile: LVP vs laminate, laminate vs tile |
Common Questions
How much does it cost to install laminate flooring in a kitchen?
A 150 sq ft kitchen costs $612 to $1,108 installed with laminate sold as waterproof, and 200 sq ft costs $816 to $1,478. That is planks at $1.89 to $3.99 per sq ft plus 10% waste and Home Depot's last published labour of $2.00 to $3.00 per sq ft, priced 13 October 2026. Taking up the old floor adds about $293 on 150 sq ft at Home Depot's $1.95 average.
Is laminate okay for a kitchen?
Yes, if you choose a plank sold as water resistant or waterproof and read its water warranty. The AC rating does not measure water resistance; it measures wear only. The mid-range and premium planks we price for kitchens are all sold as waterproof on their product pages.
Does a kitchen cost more to install than a bedroom?
Not at Home Depot's last published rate: $2.00 to $3.00 per sq ft does not change by room. Home Depot priced additional services separately from its $2.49 basic click-lock rate, so ask whether moving the fridge, range and dishwasher is included.
What AC rating do I need in a kitchen?
A kitchen is a living area for wear purposes. Our AC ratings guide matches AC4 to living rooms, hallways, kitchens and homes with pets. The planks we price for kitchens are AC4 (mid-range) and AC5 (premium).
Do I need a moisture barrier under kitchen laminate?
Over a concrete slab, yes: Home Decorators Collection and Floor & Decor instructions both call for 6 mil polyethylene film under a floating floor, even when the plank has a pad. Film runs about $0.23 per sq ft (Floor & Decor, 120 sq ft roll), so about $35 for 150 sq ft.