Costco Or Home Depot: Who Has Better Deals On Flooring?

Installing new flooring, whether because your old flooring is damaged or you're looking to get on board with popular flooring trends, is a project that requires a lot of thought. Most flooring lasts at least 10 years, so if you make a mistake, that mistake will be around for a while. Two major flooring dealers include Costco and Home Depot, but who has the better deals on flooring and its installation? While Home Depot certainly has a wider variety of flooring options to choose from and the added benefit of handling all installation services, Costco has a better return policy and overall better quality flooring. Therefore, when it comes to better deals between Costco and Home Depot, it all depends on what you're looking for and value most. 

Most people consider cost and selection when thinking about getting a good deal. When it comes to flooring costs, Costco and Home Depot are pretty evenly matched. While Costco has competitive pricing, Home Depot has a wide range of flooring options to meet any budget. Whereas Costco's vinyl flooring can range anywhere from $2.43 to $3.46 per square foot, Home Depot's options are more diverse, from $0.66 to $4.36 per square foot. The selection, however, is where these two brands differ vastly. Don't expect to find hardwood as an option to buy from Costco — their options are limited compared to Home Depot's.

The Costco flooring return policy design experts love is a major win for Costco. If you bought flooring either in-store or online, simply take it back to the returns counter — you will need your membership card and should bring your receipt if you still have it. Home Depot allows most new and unopened flooring to be returned or exchanged within 90 days of purchase, provided you have proof of purchase.

Avoid some of the biggest flooring mistakes and have a professional install your new flooring. Home Depot makes installation easy, offering professional services through certified contractors. The labor cost varies depending on the type of flooring you choose but generally ranges from $2 to $4 per square foot. However, Costco only sells flooring and does not offer installation in some areas. Others will work with third-party dealers to take care of the end-to-end installation for you, so it's important to inquire before buying.For these reasons, labor costs can vary widely, depending on who the installation company is, though Costco will provide you with the names of the dealers that can install it for you.

If flooring quality is important to you, Costco might be your more reliable bet. While Home Depot does carry many flooring options from different manufacturers, leading to varied quality, Costco tends to carry only premium options or its own high-quality brands. However, if buying a top-rated flooring option at a good price is the best way to shop, Home Depot should be your go-to store. Shoppers have rated some Home Depot luxury vinyl plank options as five stars, and it's only $1.29 per square foot. However, Costco's selection of five-star options is limited, and the highest-rated LVP option is $2.50 per square foot — a significantly higher price.