What is under a floor decides whether it lasts. Around New Orleans that means one of two things: a concrete slab close to wet ground, or a wood subfloor on a raised house with damp air underneath.
Every dollar figure on this page is a national figure published by HomeGuide, not a quote from us. HomeGuide publishes no New Orleans or Louisiana figure. The slab or subfloor, moisture, old flooring that has to come out and the size of the job change what a New Orleans floor costs. Figures read on HomeGuide in October 2026.
Do I need a moisture test before floors on concrete?
Yes, a moisture test should be done before wood, glue-down vinyl or laminate goes on a concrete slab. Slabs here sit on wet soil and can wick moisture up for years. Common tests are a relative humidity (RH) probe set into the slab, or a calcium chloride test under a sealed dome. The flooring maker sets the limit its product allows.
Can hardwood go on a concrete slab?
Engineered hardwood can go on a slab, glued down or floated over a moisture barrier, once the slab tests dry enough. Solid hardwood needs a wood subfloor over the slab first, such as plywood over a vapor barrier, which raises the floor height. Slab homes in Lakeview, New Orleans East and the suburbs usually get engineered wood for this reason.
How much does leveling an uneven floor cost?
HomeGuide's floor repair page lists floor leveling at $1,000 to $6,000 per room in its table, while the text on the same page says $500 to $6,000. HomeGuide publishes no per square foot figure for self-leveling compound under interior floors. Old slabs often have dips near cracks or where the house settled, and floating floors need those filled.
Slab homes at grade: what flooring is safe?
On a slab that sits at grade, close to the ground, porcelain tile and waterproof vinyl plank are the safest floors. They do not rot or swell if moisture comes up. Glue-down floors need an adhesive rated for the slab's moisture level. Carpet over a damp slab can turn musty, so the pad matters.
Is it like flooring over a damp basement floor?
Very few homes around New Orleans have basements, because the ground is low and wet. A slab at grade raises the same question a basement floor does, though: moisture coming up from below. The same rules apply: test it, use a moisture barrier, and pick a floor that will not swell.
Can engineered hardwood go over a crawl space or raised floor?
Yes, engineered hardwood goes well over a raised floor, nailed or stapled to a sound subfloor. The crawl space is the key: a vapor barrier on the ground, good airflow or insulation, and no standing water below keep damp air from reaching the boards. Soft or termite-eaten subfloor gets replaced first. Solid wood also works on raised houses with a dry crawl space.
Do I need a vapor or moisture barrier?
Yes, nearly every floating floor or wood floor over concrete needs a vapor barrier, either a separate plastic sheet or an underlayment with one built in. Over a wood subfloor, the flooring maker's instructions say which underlayment to use. Under a raised house, a barrier on the ground of the crawl space helps the whole floor.
My subfloor is soft by the bathroom or toilet: how much to replace it?
A soft subfloor by a toilet or tub usually means a slow leak has rotted the wood, and the rotten section must be cut out and replaced. HomeGuide's floor repair page lists subfloor repairs at $100 to $300 for a small area and $500 to $1,200 for a whole room, and full subfloor replacement runs $2.20 to $4.75 per square foot. In raised homes, check the joists under it for rot or termites too; HomeGuide lists sistering a joist at $150 to $325.
Can you put LVP over tile?
Yes, vinyl plank can go over tile if the tile is solid, flat and well bonded. Loose or cracked tiles must be fixed first, and deep grout lines filled so they do not show through. Check door clearance and the height where the floor meets other rooms.
Want a price for your own rooms? We measure, check the slab or subfloor, and put the material, prep and price in a written quote. Call or text (504) 977-2662.