Planning a flooring renovation? Here's what actually matters, from budget to material to install day.
Every week, homeowners walk into our Rapid City showroom with the same mix of excitement and questions about home renovation flooring. They know they want new floors, but they're not always sure where to start, what things cost, or which product actually holds up to a Black Hills winter. We wrote this guide because we kept having the same conversations over and over, and figured it was time to put our best floor renovation tips in one place.
And if you'd rather skip the research and just talk to a real person, give us a call 605-721-7931 or stop by our Altimate Flooring showroom anytime. We're happy to help.
A new floor is one of the best ways to improve the look — and value — of your home.
But there’s a lot to consider when searching for the perfect floor, including aesthetics, performance, and, of course, costs. This can make the process feel a little daunting, especially considering it’s not a purchase you make every day.
But it doesn’t have to be.
With a bit of research, planning, and smart budgeting, it becomes easier to stay on top of the latest flooring trends and achieve the home renovation of your dreams while keeping the costs in check. So, how can you get the most bang for your buck when shopping for flooring?
It's tempting to walk into a showroom and fall in love with the first sample that catches your eye. But the homeowners who end up happiest with their flooring renovation tend to start with a plan instead.
Before you shop, think through a few things:
Once you know your "why," picking the right product gets a lot easier. And if you want a broader primer on how flooring materials, terminology, and installation basics all fit together, our flooring 101 guide is a good place to start.
This is usually the first question we get, so let's tackle it head on.
Flooring is typically priced by the square foot, and that price depends heavily on the material you choose. Carpet and laminate tend to sit on the lower end, while hardwood, tile, and natural stone cost more. Your total flooring and installation cost also depends on the shape of the room and how much prep work is involved. According to industry cost data from Modernize, the average flooring renovation cost runs around $7 per square foot, or about $3,500 for a 500-square-foot room, though prices can range anywhere from $2 to $20 per square foot depending on the product you choose.
A few things that can push your total up or down:
For a number specific to your home, nothing beats an in-person estimate. Altimate Flooring offers free on-site estimates and design advice, so you're never guessing.
The two main factors that determine flooring costs are the type of material you choose and the size of the room where it’s going to be installed.
At the end of the day, the average cost of flooring doesn’t really matter. All that matters is your budget.
Once you have a rough cost range in mind, it's time to build a real budget. If you're specifically looking at flooring on a budget, the good news is there's a quality option at nearly every price point, so a tighter budget doesn't mean settling for a look you don't love.
Start by looking at your finances honestly. How much can you comfortably put toward this project without draining your savings or overextending yourself? Bankrate's home renovation budgeting guide suggests capping total home renovation spending at around 30% of your home's current value, and setting aside 15 to 20% of your project budget for surprises. Older Rapid City homes especially can hide a few surprises under that old carpet or vinyl.
If cash on hand isn't enough to cover the whole project, you're not out of options. Altimate Flooring offers flexible financing through the Mohawk Credit Card, which makes it easier to get the floors you want without draining your bank account in one shot.
You can learn more about financing options here.
Here's where we usually tell homeowners to focus their budget when figuring out how to redo floors on a budget:
Following the 30% rule for renovating, the general school of thought is that the total cost of renovations for your home shouldn’t exceed 30% of your home’s current value.
Living in western South Dakota means your floors deal with a lot. Dry winter air, sudden temperature swings, and the sand and gravel that hitch a ride on your boots after a hike near Hill City or Keystone all take a toll over time. Here's a quick rundown of the flooring products for renovations that hold up best in our showroom.
A few things worth knowing about our most popular flooring types:
Hardwood brings warmth and long-term value to a home, but our dry winters can cause natural wood to expand and contract more than in humid climates. Engineered hardwood handles those swings better while keeping the same look. Browse our hardwood flooring options here.
Luxury vinyl (LVP) is one of the most requested products in our showroom, and for good reason. It's waterproof, scratch-resistant, and holds up well to muddy boots, snow melt, and everything else Black Hills weather throws at it. Check out our luxury vinyl flooring collection.
Laminate gives you the look of hardwood or stone at a friendlier price point, and today's laminate is far more durable than what was on the market a decade ago. See our laminate flooring selection.
Carpet still makes sense in bedrooms and family rooms, especially through Rapid City winters when a warm floor underfoot matters. Take a look at our carpet options.
Tile is a smart pick for entryways, mudrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, especially in a region where snow, mud, and moisture come inside with you. Explore our tile flooring collection.
You can browse our full lineup, including featured product lines from brands we trust, on our products page or our featured flooring brands page.
Some flooring products, like click-together laminate or peel-and-stick vinyl tile, are genuinely doable as a weekend DIY project if you're handy. Others, like hardwood, natural stone, or large-format tile, are much better left to professionals, especially if your subfloor needs repair or leveling first.
A poor installation can shorten the lifespan of even the best flooring product, so it's worth being honest with yourself about your skill level and timeline. Our team handles everything from subfloor repair and self-leveling to full installation, so you're not stuck fixing mistakes down the road.
Learn more about our flooring installation services here.
The flooring itself usually gets all the attention, but the small stuff is what makes a renovation go smoothly. Before your new floors go in, you'll want to think through:
Altimate Flooring handles all of this as part of our full-service approach, so you're not left coordinating a dozen different contractors. Take a look at our complete list of flooring services to see everything we offer, including epoxy coatings, custom area rugs, and carpet re-stretching for floors you already love but want refreshed.
If your renovation extends beyond floors, we also handle commercial flooring projects for local business owners in the Black Hills area, not just homes.
Focus your money on high-traffic rooms and choose more affordable materials like laminate or vinyl for the rest. Tackling one room at a time instead of the whole house also keeps costs manageable. Financing through the Mohawk Credit Card can help spread out the cost too. Check out our post on 2026 flooring design trends for budget-friendly inspiration.
Luxury vinyl and engineered hardwood tend to handle our dry winters and temperature swings better than solid hardwood alone. Tile is great for entryways and mudrooms where snow and mud track in. If you want the full rundown on materials and terms, our flooring 101 guide breaks it all down simply.
We carry trusted names like Aladdin Commercial, Mohawk, Pergo, Mannington, Dreamweaver, and Johnson Hardwood, along with several other quality brands. Each one brings something different to the table, whether that's pet-friendly carpet, waterproof vinyl, or classic hardwood. Our team can help match a brand to your budget and lifestyle.
New floors are one of the best ways to boost both the comfort and value of your Black Hills home. If you're ready to see samples in person, visit our Rapid City showroom or give us a call at 605-721-7931. We'll help you find flooring that fits your budget, your style, and your home for years to come.
Get in touch with the flooring professionals at Altimate Flooring
Rapid City - 1221 Oregon St
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