New floors, installed properly the first time.
Flooring quotes look simple until you get to the parts nobody mentions: subfloor levelling, removal and disposal of the old floor, transitions, baseboard and quarter round, and door undercutting. Those line items are the difference between quotes.
Tell IzDon what you want installed and where, and we connect you with local flooring installers who quote the full job.
DIY or pro? Click-together laminate and vinyl plank over a flat subfloor are realistic DIY projects. Nail-down hardwood, tile, stairs and anything needing self-levelling compound go faster and better with a pro.
What this covers
Pick the closest match and we'll start your request with it filled in.
What usually goes wrong
The flooring issues GTA homeowners ask about most — and what they typically mean.
Squeaky or bouncy floors
Loose subfloor fasteners or inadequate joist support. Fix before installing anything new.
Uneven subfloor
Most manufacturers require flatness within about 3 mm over 3 m. Self-levelling compound is a common extra.
Hardwood gapping and cupping seasonally
Ontario humidity swings. Acclimatize material on site and keep indoor humidity in the 35–55% range.
Water damage in a basement or after a leak
Solid hardwood is the wrong choice below grade. Vinyl plank or tile handles moisture far better.
Cracked or loose floor tiles
Usually subfloor movement or inadequate underlayment — replacing the tile alone won't hold.
Old flooring that may contain asbestos
9x9 vinyl tile and some sheet-vinyl backings from before 1990 can contain asbestos. Test before ripping it up.
What flooring costs in the GTA
Typical Greater Toronto Area installed pricing in 2026. Material and labour are shown together unless noted — many quotes separate them.
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate (installed) | $4 – $8 / sq ft | Material and labour |
| Luxury vinyl plank (installed) | $5 – $11 / sq ft | Best value below grade |
| Engineered hardwood (installed) | $9 – $18 / sq ft | Wear layer matters |
| Solid hardwood (installed) | $11 – $22 / sq ft | Not recommended in basements |
| Ceramic / porcelain tile (installed) | $12 – $25 / sq ft | Pattern and size dependent |
| Hardwood refinishing | $4 – $8 / sq ft | Far cheaper than replacing |
| Carpet (installed) | $4 – $9 / sq ft | Includes underpad |
| Old flooring removal and disposal | $1 – $4 / sq ft | Glued-down and tile cost most |
| Subfloor levelling | $2 – $6 / sq ft | Only known after the old floor is up |
| Stairs (per step) | $80 – $250 | Treads, risers and nosing |
| In-floor heating (electric mat) | $18 – $30 / sq ft | Common in bathrooms |
Estimate ranges for the Greater Toronto Area, not quotes. Actual pricing depends on your home, access and scope — always get it in writing.
What moves the price
- Subfloor condition — levelling and plywood repair are the most common surprise line items.
- Removal and disposal of the existing floor, especially glued tile or multiple layers.
- Layout complexity — diagonal, herringbone and large-format tile add labour.
- Transitions, baseboard, quarter round and door undercuts.
- Condos — sound underlay ratings, elevator booking and certificate of insurance requirements.
Want a real number for your flooring job? Tell us what you need and local pros will quote it.
Get It DonePermits, licences & Ontario rules
Flooring rarely needs a building permit, but two rules regularly apply in the GTA: condo sound requirements and asbestos in old floor coverings.
No building permit for a like-for-like floor
Replacing a floor covering doesn't require a permit. Structural subfloor or joist work does.
Condo sound transmission rules
Most GTA condo declarations require a minimum underlay rating (often IIC 55–65) for hard surface flooring, plus board approval and a contractor certificate of insurance.
Asbestos in pre-1990 floor coverings
9x9 vinyl tiles, some sheet vinyl backing and old mastic can contain asbestos. Ontario Regulation 278/05 governs safe removal — test before demolition.
In-floor electric heating
Electric heating mats require a dedicated circuit and an ESA notification by a licensed electrical contractor.
Before you hire: a quick checklist
- Ask for the business name, address and a phone number that isn't just a cell.
- Confirm general liability insurance and a valid WSIB clearance certificate before work starts.
- Get the scope, materials, timeline and total price in writing — not a number over the phone.
- Be cautious with large upfront deposits. In Ontario a deposit of roughly 10–30% is normal; full payment up front is not.
- Ask who is actually doing the work — the person quoting, an employee, or a subcontractor.
- Hold back final payment until the work passes any required inspection and you've seen it finished.
- Ask what happens — and what it costs — if the subfloor turns out to need levelling.
- Confirm whether removal, disposal, baseboard and transitions are in the price or extra.
This is the same bar we use when we look at who to send your request to — read The IzDon Standard.
Flooring near you
Flooring guides & how-tos
Want to try it yourself first? Start here — and hand it over when the job gets bigger.
Flooring FAQs
How much does flooring installation cost in Toronto?
Installed pricing in the GTA generally runs $4–$8 per square foot for laminate, $5–$11 for luxury vinyl plank, $9–$18 for engineered hardwood and $12–$25 for tile, before removal and subfloor prep.
What flooring is best for a basement?
Luxury vinyl plank or tile. Both tolerate moisture and temperature swings that cause solid hardwood to cup and gap below grade.
Should I refinish or replace hardwood?
If the boards are solid and have enough thickness left, refinishing at $4–$8 per square foot is far cheaper than replacement and often looks better than new engineered product.
How long does flooring installation take?
A typical 1,000 sq ft of vinyl or laminate is 2–3 days. Hardwood is 3–5, and tile is often a week once you allow for mortar and grout curing.
Do I need condo board approval for new floors?
Almost always for hard surface flooring. Most GTA condo declarations specify a minimum acoustic underlay rating and require a contractor's certificate of insurance before work is booked.
Does new flooring need to acclimatize?
Yes for wood and engineered products — typically 3–7 days in the room where it will be installed. Skipping this is the main cause of gapping and buckling in Ontario homes.
One Request. IzDon.
Submit once instead of calling contractor after contractor. We aim to connect you with up to 3–5 relevant local service providers.
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