Average cost for wood flooring (Complete Answer)
Hardwood floor prices are determined mainly by the grade of the wood used. However, the total project cost also depends heavily on the size of the project’s physical space.


Average cost for wood flooring is $6.50 to $12.00 per square foot. However, the price of hardwood flooring can be affected by several other aspects, such as the species of wood used, the amount of preparation required, your location, etc.
While engineered wood flooring costs around $4 to $9 per square foot, solid helm or oak wood, flooring may cost upwards of $20 per square foot.
The average cost of installing hardwood floors varies depending on the size of the space and the type of wood used. On average, it can cost between $3 to $10 per square foot for materials and $3 to $8 per square foot for labor, totaling $6 to $18 per square foot. The total cost can range from $1,200 to $3,600 for a single 200-square-foot room and up to $12,000 to $36,000 for a 2,000-square-foot house.
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How much does flooring make of hardwood cost? (2022 Guide)
This guide includes the following information: average costs, cost variables, types of hardwood flooring, pros and cons, DIY vs. professional installation, ways to save money, instructions for installation, how to hire a pro, a conclusion, and frequently asked questions.
Average cost for wood flooring
Popular flooring options and new hardwood can raise the value of your house. However, despite being incredibly complex and robust, it has expensive initial installation costs. The cost to install various hardwood floors is broken down below, along with a description of the benefits and drawbacks of using this flooring.
Average Hardwood Flooring Cost
Installing hardwood flooring typically costs $6 to 18 per square foot or $3 to $10 per square foot for materials and $3 to $8 per square foot for labor. A 200-square-foot room might cost between $1,200 and $3,600, and a 2,000-square-foot home might cost between $12,000 and $36,000.
High-end flooring can cost up to $25 per square foot, depending on the quality of the wood. The biggest factor in price determination is square footage. However, the following elements also matter:
Traditional flooring options include solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and parquet.
The cost of wood increases with how long-lasting and uncommon it is.
Thickness: Thicker boards are more expensive and can withstand more refinishing.
High-grade boards are more expensive than low-grade boards.
Cut/Grain: How the wood is harvested from the tree can result in varying work and waste.
The Cost of Hardwood Flooring, Broken Down by Hardwood
Hardwood flooring prices vary according to the price of the wood and the labor needed for installation. Cost of the wood and the labor required for installation. Natural wood planks from trees are used to make traditional solid hardwood flooring and are laid end to end. Engineered wood flooring with a plywood basis and a natural wood veneer added can be a little less expensive.


Parquet is the most expensive type of flooring, which employs more minor pieces of actual wood to create geometric patterns like a herringbone pattern. Prefabricated tiles that resemble parquet are a more affordable alternative that looks like parquet but is simpler to install.
How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost?
Knowing the many alternatives and how they affect the cost can help homeowners keep their hardwood flooring installation within their budget. The average price range for hardwood flooring is $2,485 to $6,801, with a national average of $4,569.
What is the hardwood floor being put over?
Any type of flooring, from engineered strip flooring that clicks together to hardwood that is nailed or glued down, will work if it covers a flat, firm subfloor. Thinner boards will perform better if a new wood floor is put over an existing wood floor. Who cannot use nails to install hardwood flooring over concrete or tile; instead, click-together flooring or flooring that can be glued down is preferable. Engineered flooring is the best option for homes with radiant floor heating because it is thinner and more stable than solid wood, allowing the heat to infiltrate the flooring without causing harm.
Hardwood Floor Installation Costs


Most homeowners spend between $2,311 and $6,115, or an average of $4,213, installing hardwood flooring. Prices for supplies and installation range from $6 to $11 per square foot on the low end to $12 to $23 per square foot on the high end. The finishing, trimming, and removal of your old floor are all included in the installation.
Hardwood Flooring Cost Factors
Here are some additional elements that affect the price of installing hardwood flooring besides the type of wood:
- Alternative flooring options
- Floor joist repairs
- Finish and coating
- Installation and labor
- Repair, replacement, and refinishing
How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost per Type of Wood?
There are numerous wood species to pick from, each with a different price
How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost per Type of Wood?
There are numerous wood species to pick from, each with a different price.
Wood Flooring Grades
There usually are three grades of wood flooring. Additionally, wood flooring comes in narrow planks or boards. The width of them varies from roughly 3 inches to 7 inches. The type of wood you choose will significantly impact the price of conventional wood flooring.
- Softwoods such as pine and poplar typically cost between $3 and $6 per square foot, plus an additional $3 to $5 for installation.
- These woods will be standard hardwood selections, such as American cherry, teak, or oak. The cost of the flooring itself, in contrast, ranges from $5 to $15 per square foot, plus an additional $4 to $8 per square foot for professional installation.
- Highest tier: exotic and/or rare hardwoods, like tigerwood, mahogany, and Brazilian walnut, are the priciest options. These frequently cost less than $8 to $15 per square foot, plus an installation fee of $4 to $8 per square foot.
Average Labor Cost For Installing Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floor installation typically costs $3 to $9 per square foot of labor when using a skilled contractor.


Therefore, approximately 50% of the total cost of your project should be allocated to labor costs. Always request numerous quotes from different hardwood flooring contractors so you can decide with your knowledge.
Engineered Hardwood Costs
Engineered wood installation costs range from $6 to $11 per square foot on the low end to $12 to $23 per square foot for exotic hardwoods. The primary distinction between traditional and engineered wood is how the latter is made. Traditional wood, as mentioned, is just solid wood that has been prepared into boards or planks.
On the other hand, engineered wood is built using numerous layers of plywood and hardwood. Engineered hardwood helps minimize any bowing or warping of the wood after exposure to moisture because of the way these layers are made and positioned.
The price of wood flooring per square foot.
Total Floor Grade Material (SF) and Labor (SF) Cost
The lowest tier is $3 to $6. $3 to $5, $6 to $11
In the middle: $5 to $10, $4 to $8 $9 to $18
(highest tier $12–23 $4–8–15 $8–15
Wood Type
Each type of hardwood flooring has a unique color, price, and level of durability because it comes from various tree species. Pine is usually the least expensive type of wood flooring. From $4.50 to $11 per square foot is the price range. The price per square foot for other, less expensive hardwood species like oak and hickory ranges from $6 to $13. A square foot of more premium species like Brazilian walnut can cost $11 to $20.
How To Save on Hardwood Flooring Costs
Here are some methods for cutting the project cost without undertaking the job yourself.
Prioritize Savings Over Appearance
Beyond only the color and finish, consider the materials used in wood flooring. Look for a less expensive thickness (5/16″), type of hardwood (pine, red oak), and grain (plain-sawn). Additionally, boards with more “character,” such as knots, different hues, etc., will cost less.
Consider Engineered Wood
You can frequently save money by choosing engineered wood with standard veneers, even if installation costs may be higher. You could even do it yourself, depending on the sort of panels.
Whenever possible, Refinish
Refinishing existing hardwood floors might be far less expensive than buying new wood if you already have them. Refinishing is typically the best option unless there is substantial moisture damage or deep floor gouges.
Additional Costs and Considerations
When homeowners create their budget for hardwood flooring pricing, there are many additional cost aspects and considerations. The labor cost for installing hardwood floors can range from $3 to $9 per square foot, depending on the type, width, and wood style used. Installing unfinished hardwood flooring, which needs to be finished after installation, might result in extra costs, as can replacing or repairing existing hardwood or subflooring, fixing floor joists, adding more coating, or putting in wood-look tile flooring.
Repair vs. Replacement
It could be possible to fix or refinish existing hardwood flooring for homeowners who like how their current flooring looks. But what is the cost of refinishing hardwood floors? Refinishing a good-quality hardwood floor can bring back its former sheen; on average, this service is about $1,800. Multiple sanding and refinishing sessions are possible with solid hardwood floors. Though less frequently, who can also refinish engineered wood? The price per square foot for refinishing engineered hardwood flooring ranges from $3 to $5.
Traditional vs. Engineered Hardwood
In engineered flooring, plywood is the base and a finished wood veneer as the top layer. Engineered flooring initially performs well for less money, even if it does not last as long as solid hardwood flooring. Customers who save money on wood flooring have an affordable alternative to engineered flooring.


Engineered wood flooring has higher durability and moisture resistance than solid wood flooring and can cost anywhere between $4.50 and $16 per square foot, depending on the type of wood. For a lesser price, three core layers of wood with a veneer that is between 1/16 and 1/12 inch thick are available. Boards with a thicker veneer and a five-layer core fall into the middle category. On the high end, some engineered flooring includes seven or more core layers and an exotic hardwood veneer 1/6 inch thick.
Maple, heart pine, white ash, bamboo, Brazilian cherry, Brazilian koa, and acacia are some of the most popular engineered flooring selections. One of the main advantages of installing more expensive solid hardwood flooring is that it can be sanded and refinished numerous times. As a result, for many homeowners, this will likely be the only flooring they purchase for their home.