How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost [Answered!!]

Installing new flooring in your home is one of the most effective ways to raise the value of your property.

However, it is also a fantastic method to transform your living environment, transforming it from drab to spectacular in a matter of days.

When it comes to flooring installation, it’s crucial to understand that it’s not an easy do-it-yourself effort.

Because you’ll almost certainly need to hire a contractor or flooring business to complete this project, understanding how much it could cost is essential information.

For a 500-square-foot space, flooring can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500, with an average cost of about $3,000 to cover the area.

The cost of your job will vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, including the location of your property, the type of flooring you select, and even the flooring contractor you pick.

NOTE: As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been an exceptional labor shortage in the first half of 2021, which has lasted till now.

As a result, there has been a significant increase in the demand for building supplies and construction jobs.

As a result, material prices may be greater than those indicated in this article, and lead times for both labor and materials may be longer than they would otherwise be.

See Also:

How to Remove Vinyl Flooring

How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring

How to Remove Wax From Laminate Flooring

To Keep in Mind When Considering Costs

Some elements will have an impact on the price you spend for your hardwood flooring when it comes to the installation of your flooring.

Just to name a few considerations, the type of wood you choose for your home will affect the price, with higher-quality wood costing more and lower-quality synthetic wood costing less.

Do-it-yourselfers may be able to install the wood flooring for far less money, which would save them a significant amount of money overall.

However, you must ensure that you have the necessary tools to complete the project properly before proceeding.

Wood floor installation may appear to be straightforward, but it is far from being a stroll in the park.

Following that, the cost of your home will be affected by the color and type of wood you choose.

It is possible that oak hardwood flooring will be less expensive than the exotic cherry wood that you have been coveting.

Last but not least, the location of your home influences the cost.

The cost of wood is lower if you live in an area where it is readily available, as opposed to someone who lives in a region where the wood will have to be imported.

The Price of Installing a Hardwood Floor

Wood flooring installation costs on average $4,213 per square foot, with the majority of households spending between $2,311 and $6,115.

Materials and installation costs range from $6 to $11 per square foot on the low end and $12 to $23 per square foot on the high end, depending on the quality of the work.

Finishing, trim, and removal of your old floor are all included in the installation.

The typical range is $2,493 – $6,754 dollars.

$4,540 is the national average.

Hardwood flooring can enhance the texture and warmth of the room in which it is installed.

When evaluating the cost of hardwood flooring, a number of elements must be considered.

The normal cost ranges from $2,493 to $6,754, with the national average costing $4,540, or approximately $8 per square foot, on average.

For material costs, the majority of flooring specialists charge between $6 and $12 per square foot, with high-end jobs costing anywhere from $13 to $25 or more.

Materials will account for around 50 to 75 percent of your budget, with the remaining portion going toward labor costs.

The cost of hardwood flooring might vary depending on the type of wood used, the width of the planks, the stain used, the adhesive used, and the style chosen.

Some hardwood flooring contractors will include the removal of old wood flooring or carpeting in the price of installation and trim, while others may charge an additional fee for this service, depending on the circumstances.

Installing wood flooring not only enhances the overall aesthetic of a space but also increases the resale value of the property and helps to raise the marketability of the property.

In terms of dollars per square foot, how much does it cost to install hardwood flooring?

For combined labor and material fees, the national average cost to install hardwood flooring ranges from $6 to $12 per square foot.

For higher-end wood and larger spaces, such as if you’re renovating your entire first floor in hardwood, you should expect to pay more—between $13 and $25 per square foot, depending on the quality of the wood.

In general, the majority of projects end up costing between $2,500 and $6,800 in their entirety.

According to the size of your property and the amount of flooring you want to replace, you could expect to pay the following:

• $500 square feet costs between $3,000 and $6,000 to furnish.
• For 1000 square feet, prices range from $6,000 to $12,000.
• For 1,200 square feet, prices range from $7,200 to $14,400.
• For 2,000 square feet, prices range from $12,000 to $24,000.

How much it would cost to install hardwood flooring in different areas?

The cost of installing hardwood flooring can vary significantly from one state to another, much like the price of a home.

The varieties of wood that are readily available in your area are likely to have the most influence.

If you’re using a wood that isn’t locally sourced, for example, those shipping costs can add significantly to the ultimate cost.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you may expect depending on where you are in the world:

• Alabama: $3,021–$6,092 per month
• Arizona: $2,349–$6,631 per month
• Californians earn between $3,153 and $9,338 a year.
• Colorado: $2,653–$6,696 per month
• Iowa: $3,575–$4,900 per month
• Michigan: $2,677–$8,407 per month
• $2,373–$6,077 in New York City
• Pennsylvania: $2,310–$6,631 per person per year
• Texas: $3,007–$8,051 per month

What Kind of Wood Floors Can I Get for a Reasonable Price?

For your new flooring, you can choose from a variety of wood types that are both economical and expensive in price.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can receive for your money in different categories.

$1000 to $2,500 in value

You can afford to install 500 square feet of pine, bamboo, or basic engineered wood with this amount of money.

If you’re intrigued by the notion of wood flooring but aren’t quite ready to make the commitment, this budget will allow you to install up to 1,000 square feet of wood look tile flooring in lieu of hardwood.

2,500 to 5,000 dollars

A budget in this category will allow you to luxuriate in 500 square feet of high-end wood, such as maple, hickory, white ash, red oak, or white oak, depending on your preference. In addition, it will pay the cost of 1,000 square feet of bamboo or pine hardwood flooring.

5,000 to 10,000 dollars

Using this allowance, you can purchase hardwood flooring up to 1,000 square feet in size in any of the following species: maple, hickory, white ash, red oak, or white oak.

Alternatively, you can use it to purchase up to 2,000 square feet of bamboo or pine flooring, or you can spend more and get 500 to 900 square feet of more expensive Brazilian walnut flooring.

How much does it cost to install hardwood flooring on your own?

The majority of the cost of hardwood installation is incurred via the purchase of materials rather than labor.

A square foot of wood paneling can cost anywhere from $6 to $25, however, the cost of installation will only be $3 to $6 per square foot.

Doing it yourself also necessitates the purchase of specific instruments that you may not already possess, such as a pneumatic flooring nailer, which may range in price from $200 to $400.

Because the savings from doing it yourself will be modest, it is preferable to engage a local wood floor installation to complete the job properly.

Factors to Consider When Estimating the Cost of Hardwood Flooring

Materials, labor, and wood type are all factors in determining the cost of hardwood flooring.

Other considerations include the color and grain of the wood as well as the width of the planks, the style, pattern, and thickness.

The type of wood flooring you choose, whether engineered or conventional solid hardwood, will have an impact on the price.

When it comes to hardwood flooring, there are numerous options to consider.

Being informed of the distinctions between each type of wood flooring will assist you in selecting the type of wood flooring that is best for you and your home.

Color and Grain are important considerations.

When it comes to choosing between different types of hardwood flooring, the first thing that comes to mind is the overall color.

Paler woods, such as ash or maple, will create a more light and airy appearance.

Huckleberry or oak provides warmth and should be used in a setting that calls for an earthy tone in the wood.

Darker wood colors, such as mahogany or walnut, are ideal for folks who desire a deep, rich tone.

Each type of wood will have a different price range, with oak and hickory being on the lower end of the pricing range and mahogany being on the higher end.

The grain of the wood will also have an impact on the price. Plain-sawn planks, in which the grain runs across the board in a wave-like pattern, are the cheapest option.

Wood planks that have the grain running in lines down the length of the board will be more expensive than planks that have no grain running down the length of the board.

Some wood kinds, such as oak, will have a tight and highly visible wood grain, whilst others, such as white ash or Acadia, will have a variety of grain patterns and contrasts that will be noticeable.

Grade

The physical properties of wood flooring are used to classify them.

Generally speaking, wood flooring with a “clear” grade has a consistent hue and is free of knots and other flaws.

A “select” grade is given to wood flooring that has a more natural appearance, such as knots, color variations, and mineral streaks, than a “standard” grade.

No. 1 Common is a grade assigned to wood flooring that has even more color diversity and may even have wormholes.

The flooring graded “No. 2 common” is even more rustic than the flooring graded “No. 1 common.”

The “clear” grading is the most expensive, and the price decreases as the grade increases.

Species of trees and their width

Hardwood flooring is made from a variety of different tree species, and each type has its own set of characteristics such as color, pricing, and durability.

Pine is typically the least expensive type of wood flooring. It might cost anywhere from $1.50 and $5 per square foot.

Hardwood species that are less expensive, such as oak or American cherry, can be purchased for between $5 and $15 per square foot.

More expensive species, such as Brazilian walnut or mahogany, can cost upwards of $8 to $18 per square foot in some cases.

Wood flooring is normally available in planks that are 3 inches broad or less in thickness.

Wide plank flooring can range in price from $1.50 to $12 per square foot for the boards and from $3 to $4 per square foot for installation.

Wide planks reduce the number of boards required to cover the surface, resulting in lower costs for labor and installation.

What method do you use to compare estimates?

It is not customary to compare the prices of apples and tomatoes at the grocery store.

When collecting estimates for hardwood flooring, you don’t want to compare maple and hickory because they have different characteristics.

Because wood floors are available in a wide range of species, grades, and widths, as well as solid and engineered varieties, it’s critical to obtain many competing quotations for identical materials.

This way, you’re comparing apples to apples when it comes to pricing (or maple to maple).

Regarding the labor portion of the estimate, Miller recommends that you pay close attention to the level of specificity specified in the preparation and cleaning sections.

He provides a hypothetical example of two contractors: one who “goes into a little bit more detail about the job site preparation and the environmental conditions surrounding that floor and the moisture testing that are required,” and one who does not go into that much detail.

Miller could prefer the contractor who is more forthcoming with information; you might approach the contractor who is less forthcoming with information.

How to keep the price of hardwood flooring as low as possible

There are numerous options available in terms of the sorts of wood flooring you can purchase as well as the amount of labor required.

It is possible to choose less expensive solutions that work for you if you are aware of the variances within each category.

1. Refinish rather than replace instead of refinishing

You may be able to restore a hardwood floor that appears to have seen better days.

This is the most cost-effective alternative if you are confident in the appearance of your current floor after it has been sanded and a fresh coat or two of finish has been applied.

The refinishing of solid hardwood is possible several times; the refinishing of engineered wood is possible just a few times.

2. Species available for purchase

The majority of homeowners begin their buying with the appearance in mind: what hue and shade would look best in their home?

Woods such as ash or maple may be preferred by those who want light-colored floors (think of the majority of basketball courts).

Hickory and oak are good choices for those who prefer a medium hue of flooring.

Mahogany or walnut are popular choices for those who prefer dark-colored floors (think of the paneling found in men’s clubs in vintage movies).

Each species will have its own pricing range, with oak and hickory often being on the cheaper end of the spectrum and mahogany being on the premium end of the spectrum.

3. Take into consideration grain

The appearance of the wood’s grain, which is determined by the manner in which the wood is cut at the sawmill, has an impact on its price.

Do you want the grain to go over the board in wavelike patterns, or do you want it to run in straight lines?

A “plain-sawn” cut is the least expensive of the three options.

Ideally, you’d like the grain to run in straight lines throughout the length of the boards.

This is where a “quarter-sawn” or “rift-sawn” cut comes in, which is more expensive than a plain-sawn cut.

4. Select the appropriate grade level.

The physical properties of wood flooring are used to classify them.

Planks are classified as “clear” if their color is uniform and they are free of knots and wormholes.

A “select” grade is given to wood that has a natural appearance, such as color variations, knots, and mineral streaks.

There are even more color variations and knots in a “No. 1 common” grade, and it may even contain wormholes in it. This is a more rustic variation of the No. 1 common, which is called “No. 2 common.”

In general, clear graded wood is more expensive per square foot than select graded wood, and choice graded wood is more expensive than common graded wood.

Exceptions may be found, particularly during sales events.

5. Solid or engineered materials should be used.

It’s time to choose between solid wood and engineered hardwood once you’ve decided on the overall look you want for your home.

Exactly what it sounds like solid wood is a board or plank that has been cut directly from the tree.

In order to be resistant to moisture damage, engineered wood is made up of a veneer of hardwood atop many layers of plywood and is glued together.

A hardwood floor below ground level, such as in a basement, will have to be engineered if you are insistent on having one.

Solid wood and engineered wood are both of different quality, and it’s impossible to say with certainty that one type is more expensive than the other without doing further research.

6. Remove the old flooring and dispose of it properly

The contractor will charge you for the labor to tear off the old flooring and properly dispose of it. As a result, if you are able to do this portion of the job on your own, you will save money.

7. Do the flooring installation yourself.

Installing hardwood flooring is not a do-it-yourself project for the vast majority of homeowners.

It takes more than just nailing or gluing boards together to lay a wood floor; it takes knowledge and experience.

For starters, an installer must determine if nailing or gluing (or floating) is the most appropriate procedure for that particular floor type and design.

Also necessary are the ability to account for temperature and humidity fluctuations, the decision to employ a vapor barrier and which type to use, the ability to work around obstacles such as fireplaces and closets, as well as the willingness to take on further challenges.

Hardwood floor installation tutorials can be found on YouTube, and certain home improvement stores may also give instruction on the subject.

Attempting to install the floor yourself is possible if you have good do-it-yourself abilities, plenty of patience, a large number of tools, and the humility to smile through your blunders.

Our Final Thoughts

Yes, hardwood floors are more expensive than some of its competitors, but the money you spend on them is a genuine investment in your home.

Hardwood flooring complements virtually every type of interior design. I love it because it is timeless and will never go out of style. Hardwood flooring is also known for its durability.

Frequently Ask Questions