Project Inputs
Rooms
| # | Length | Width | Qty | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area = Length × Width × Qty. Perimeter = 2 × (Length + Width) × Qty. Rectangular assumption per room for trim estimate. | |||||
Example Data
| Scenario | Rooms (L×W×Qty) | Pattern | Waste % | Box cov. | Price/box | Underlay | Labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact apartment | 12×10×1, 10×10×1 | Straight | 10% | 20 sqft | $45 | $0.35/sqft | $1.75/sqft |
| Metric family home | 4×3×2, 5×4×1 | Diagonal | 8% | 2 sqm | $55 | $3.8/sqm | $18/sqm |
Copy values into the form, switch units as needed, then calculate.
Pattern & Waste Reference
| Layout pattern | Typical extra loss | Suggested waste range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | 0% | 5%–10% | Most efficient; rectangular rooms; minimal offcuts. |
| Diagonal 45° | ≈ +5% | 8%–12% | More cuts at walls; visual width; higher waste. |
| Chevron | ≈ +10% | 10%–14% | Precision cuts; pattern matching increases waste. |
| Herringbone | ≈ +12% | 12%–15% | Complex layout; additional trimming required. |
| Multi-room joins | ≈ +3% | +3% on top | Doorways and transitions add small extra loss. |
Use these as planning guides; verify against brand install instructions and room complexity.
Box Coverage Quick‑Look (Examples)
| Plank size (inches) | Planks/box | Coverage (sqft) | Coverage (sqm) | Typical box price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 × 6 | 8 | 16.00 | 1.486 | $35–$55 | Entry lines; fast installs; good yield. |
| 54 × 7.5 | 8 | 22.50 | 2.090 | $45–$75 | Popular; longer boards reduce seams. |
| 60 × 8 | 7 | 23.33 | 2.167 | $55–$95 | Premium look; heavier boxes. |
| 47.25 × 5.5 | 10 | 18.08 | 1.680 | $32–$50 | Compact rooms; economical kits. |
Coverage = length × width × planks/box. Convert sq ft to sq m by ÷ 10.7639.
Formulas Used
- Total area (rooms mode): Σ(Length × Width × Qty).
- Perimeter (rooms mode): Σ(2 × (Length + Width) × Qty).
- Adjusted area: Total area × (1 + Waste%/100) × (1 + Pattern%/100).
- Coverage per box (optional): Plank length × Plank width × Planks per box.
- Boxes needed: ceil/round/floor(Adjusted area ÷ Coverage per box).
- Material cost: Boxes × Price per box.
- Underlayment cost: (Adjusted area if selected, else Total area) × Underlayment rate.
- Moisture barrier: Underlayment area × Moisture rate.
- Adhesive: Adjusted area × Adhesive rate.
- Labor cost: (Adjusted area if selected, else Total area) × Labor rate.
- Baseboard & Shoe: Perimeter × respective rates.
- Transitions/Thresholds/Doors/Stairs: Count × unit costs.
- Subfloor prep: Total area × (Prep%/100) × Prep rate.
- Removal: Total area × (Removal%/100) × Removal rate.
- Flat fees: Delivery + Haul-away + Misc.
- Subtotal base: Sum of all above items.
- Discount: Subtotal base × (Discount%/100).
- Markup: (Subtotal base − Discount) × (Markup%/100).
- Contingency: Subtotal base × (Contingency%/100).
- Tax: (Subtotal base − Discount + Markup + Contingency) × (Tax%/100).
- Grand total: Subtotal base − Discount + Markup + Contingency + Tax.
- Unit cost: Grand total ÷ Adjusted area.
How to Use
- Select currency and measurement units.
- Choose Use room dimensions to add rooms, or enter a total area.
- Pick a layout pattern. Set waste, box coverage, and price.
- Enter underlayment, moisture, adhesive, labor, and trim rates.
- Add transitions, doors, stairs, thresholds, then prep and removal values.
- Include any delivery, haul-away, miscellaneous, discount, markup, contingency, and tax.
- Click Calculate to see boxes, cost breakdown, totals, and unit cost.
- Export CSV or PDF. Paste scope notes into the printable field.
Results
ImperialFAQs
How much waste should I allow?
For straight layouts, 5–10% is typical. Diagonal adds around 5%. Chevron about 10%, herringbone around 12%. Add extra for multi-room joins, angled walls, and complex transitions.
Should I buy by box or area?
Use area plus waste and pattern to calculate boxes. The tool rounds boxes up, down, or nearest based on your setting. Always keep one spare box for future repairs and color consistency.
Do I need underlayment or a moisture barrier?
Most floating laminate requires underlayment for comfort and sound. On concrete or below grade, add a vapor barrier per manufacturer guidance. Some products include attached pads; in that case, avoid double-layers.
How does the calculator estimate labor and trims?
Labor is per area, optionally applied to the adjusted area after waste. Baseboards and shoe molding use perimeter. Doors, transitions, thresholds, and stairs are counted and priced individually.
How accurate are these estimates?
They are planning estimates. Site conditions, brand coverage, waste, and local pricing vary. Verify manufacturer coverage per box and obtain a site visit before final contracts or ordering materials.