Square Footage Cost Calculator
Calculate project cost by multiplying square footage × cost per square foot. The multi-shape calculator above includes a cost field for instant total estimates.
Cost Per Square Foot Calculator
Typical cost ranges
Flooring: hardwood installed $8-15/sq ft, laminate $3-7, LVP $4-9, tile $7-20, carpet $3-8. Quality, brand, and labor market drive most variation.
Paint: $1.50-4/sq ft of wall area for materials and labor on a standard repaint. Premium paints and detailed prep push this higher.
Construction: new home build $150-300/sq ft of finished space depending on region and finish level. Renovations vary too widely to generalize.
Material vs. installed cost
"Cost per square foot" can mean material only, installation only, or installed (material + labor + materials). Always confirm which you're comparing.
For DIY projects, you're paying material cost. For contractor bids, you're paying installed cost. The multiplier is typically 2-3× material for moderate-skill work, higher for specialty trades.
Pro tips
Always include waste factor
Cost estimates with no waste factor underestimate by 5-25%. Apply the waste factor to the area BEFORE multiplying by cost.
Get three bids
Contractor pricing varies wildly by region and season. Three bids give you a real range. Median (middle bid) usually wins.
Materials vs. labor
Track them separately. Materials are usually the smaller line item - labor is what blows budgets. A $5/sq ft material can become a $15/sq ft installed cost.
Big jobs get cheaper per sq ft
Setup and mobilization are fixed costs. A 100 sq ft tile job might cost $20/sq ft; a 500 sq ft job is $14/sq ft for the same product.