What should I budget for installing luxury vinyl tile in a wood-look pattern throughout my Richmond townhouse?

For a typical Richmond townhouse with 1,000 to 1,400 sq ft of flooring area, budget $6,000 to $15,000 for wood-look luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or tile (LVT) installed throughout, including materials, labour, removal of existing flooring, and all transitions. The wide range reflects the difference between entry-level SPC vinyl and premium products with thicker wear layers and attached acoustic underlayment.

The material itself is the biggest variable. Entry-level SPC vinyl plank at $2.50 to $4.00 per sq ft features a 12 to 20 mil wear layer, basic wood-look printing, and no attached pad. These products work fine for rental properties or budget renovations but show wear patterns in high-traffic areas sooner. Mid-range SPC or WPC vinyl at $4.00 to $7.00 per sq ft offers a 20 to 28 mil wear layer, more realistic wood grain textures with embossed-in-register (EIR) finishes that align the texture with the printed pattern, and often include an attached cork or IXPE underlayment. Premium LVP at $7.00 to $10.00+ per sq ft features the thickest wear layers (28+ mil), the most convincing wood visuals, superior dent resistance, and enhanced acoustic performance. For a Richmond townhouse where you want flooring that genuinely looks like hardwood and will last 15 to 20 years, the mid-range category is the sweet spot.

Labour for LVP installation runs $2.00 to $4.00 per sq ft in Metro Vancouver. Click-lock vinyl planks are among the fastest flooring materials to install, which keeps labour costs lower than tile or nail-down hardwood. However, a townhouse layout with multiple rooms, hallways, stairs, and transitions between floors adds complexity. Stairs are the big cost addition in a multi-storey townhouse. Expect $60 to $120 per step for vinyl plank on stairs, with nosing pieces adding $15 to $30 per step. A two-storey Richmond townhouse with 12 to 14 steps adds $900 to $2,100 to the project.

Richmond townhouses present some specific considerations. Many Richmond developments are strata properties, which means you will likely need strata council approval and an alteration agreement before changing flooring. If your townhouse has units above or below, the strata will require acoustic underlayment meeting minimum STC and IIC ratings, typically 55 or higher. LVP products with attached acoustic backing can often meet these requirements on their own, but check with your strata for their specific approved products list. Some Richmond stratas maintain lists of pre-approved flooring assemblies, which simplifies the process. Budget $500 to $1,500 for strata application fees, alteration agreements, and any required acoustic testing.

Another Richmond-specific factor is that many townhouses in the city sit on concrete slab foundations, particularly ground-level and garden-level units. This is actually an advantage for LVP because it installs beautifully over concrete with minimal preparation. However, moisture testing the concrete slab is essential before installation, especially for ground-level units. Richmond's low-lying geography and high water table mean concrete slabs can carry elevated moisture levels. A relative humidity test should read below 75% RH before proceeding. If moisture is elevated, a moisture-mitigating underlayment or primer resolves the issue but adds $1.00 to $2.00 per sq ft.

Old flooring removal is another line item to budget for. Removing existing laminate or carpet runs $1.00 to $2.00 per sq ft. Removing old tile or glued-down vinyl is more involved at $2.00 to $4.00 per sq ft. For a 1,200 sq ft townhouse, removal and disposal typically adds $1,200 to $3,600.

A realistic middle-of-the-road budget for a 1,200 sq ft Richmond townhouse with mid-range SPC vinyl plank, old flooring removal, strata compliance, and stairs would be $9,000 to $12,000 all in. Vancouver Floor Installers can match you with local flooring professionals who work regularly in Richmond townhouse complexes for free estimates on your project.

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