The Hardwood Floor Installation Cost ranges between $4 and $12 per square foot, depending on certain factors such as your location, chosen material, and subfloor condition. To get an accurate estimate as per your location, you can use our free hardwood floor installation cost calculator.
Hardwood Flooring Cost Calculator
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Installation Factors
What Is Hardwood Floor Installation Cost?
Hardwood flooring is known for its durability, beauty, and ease of cleaning. It’s a bit costly option compared to others like vinyl plank flooring, but a more popular, classic, and elegant option. Hardwood flooring materials like engineered, solid, and reclaimed wood range from $3.50 to $20 per square foot, while installation may cost $3 to $5 per square foot.
However, some key elements like room size, installation pattern, and stairs involvement may increase the price dramatically. For example, a 500 square foot room can cost between $3,213 to $4,313.
1. Hardwood Flooring Installation Cost By Area
The room size greatly affects the hardwood flooring installation cost. A small walk-in closet of 100 square feet might cost between $400 and $1,200, while a large family’s entire floor of 2,000 square feet can cost between $8,000 to $24,000.
| Area Size | Description | Installation Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | Small bathroom or walk-in closet | $400 - $1,200 |
| 200 sq ft | Master bedroom or home office | $800 - $2,400 |
| 300 sq ft | Apartment living room or studio | $1,200 - $3,600 |
| 500 sq ft | 1-bedroom condo or small apartment | $2,000 - $6,000 |
| 800 sq ft | 2-bedroom apartment main areas | $3,200 - $9,600 |
| 1,000 sq ft | Average 2-bedroom condo/house | $4,000 - $12,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 3-bedroom home main level | $6,000 - $18,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | Large family home entire floor | $8,000 - $24,000 |
2. Hardwood Flooring Installation Cost By Material
Apart from your room size, you should also consider the material type when looking for what is the installation cost of hardwood floor. You may choose exotic, reclaimed, oak, bamboo, or engineered hardwood flooring to install in your home, depending on your budget and requirements. Each hardwood flooring type has its own benefits, usage, and prices.
| Material Type | Material Cost (per sq ft) | Installation Cost (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered Wood | $2.00 - $4.50 | $1.50 - $3.00 |
| Solid Hardwood (Oak) | $3.00 - $8.00 | $2.00 - $4.00 |
| Exotic Hardwood | $6.00 - $12.00 | $3.00 - $5.00 |
| Reclaimed Wood | $9.00 - $16.00 | $4.00 - $6.00 |
| Bamboo | $3.50 - $9.00 | $2.50 - $4.00 |
| Prefinished Hardwood | $4.00 - $11.00 | $2.00 - $3.50 |
| Wide Plank (5"+) | $7.00 - $14.00 | $3.50 - $5.50 |
3. Hardwood Flooring Installation Cost By Wood Grade
Installation of hardwood flooring may vary based on your chosen wood grade. The hardwood flooring quality or grade varies because it comes from natural trees. You may choose budget-friendly builder grade, ranging from $2.50 to $4.50, or a high-quality premium grade to get the best results.
| Wood Grade | Description | Material Cost (per sq ft) | Installation Cost (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Builder Grade | Basic quality, visible knots/imperfections | $2.50 - $4.50 | $1.50 - $2.50 |
| #1 Common | Moderate variation, some character marks | $3.50 - $6.00 | $2.00 - $3.00 |
| Select Grade | Minimal knots, uniform appearance | $5.00 - $8.50 | $2.50 - $3.50 |
| Premium Grade | Near-perfect, minimal color variation | $7.00 - $12.00 | $3.00 - $4.50 |
| Character Grade | Rustic look with knots and mineral streaks | $4.00 - $7.50 | $2.00 - $3.00 |
| Quarter Sawn | Premium cut with straight grain patterns | $8.00 - $15.00 | $3.50 - $5.00 |
| Rift Sawn | Linear grain, minimal flecking | $9.00 - $16.00 | $4.00 - $6.00 |
4. Hardwood Floor Installation Cost By Installation Method
Carefully choose the hardwood flooring installation, as it may greatly impact its overall cost. You may choose the traditional nail-down method, requiring more labor but lower cost, or costly methods like geometric patterns or glue down.
| Installation Method | Description | Labor Cost (per sq ft) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nail-Down | Traditional method using nails over plywood subfloor | $3.50 - $5.50 | Solid hardwood, standard installations |
| Glue-Down | Adhesive applied directly to concrete or subfloor | $4.00 - $7.00 | Concrete slabs, engineered wood |
| Floating | Interlocking planks over underlayment (no nails/glue) | $2.50 - $4.50 | Engineered wood, DIY projects |
| Staple-Down | Staples instead of nails for engineered flooring | $3.00 - $5.00 | Engineered wood over wood subfloors |
| Click-Lock | Interlocking system with no fasteners | $2.00 - $4.00 | Engineered, bamboo, or laminate |
| Hand-Scraped | Artisanal installation with textured finish | $5.00 - $9.00 | Premium/luxury installations |
| Pattern Install (Herringbone, Chevron) |
Complex geometric patterns | $6.00 - $12.00 | High-end design projects |
5. Hardwood Floor Installation Cost By Subfloor Preparation
If your existing subfloor requires pre-work or has significant repairs, it may cost you a higher hardwood floor installation cost. For example, minor leveling and patching on the subfloor may cost you $0.75 to $1.50 per square foot. You may also consider buying a 10 yard concrete truck to pour concrete slab on your floor.
| Subfloor Condition | Preparation Required | Cost Per Sq Ft | Time Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready for Installation | Minimal cleaning and leveling | $0.25 - $0.50 | No delay |
| Minor Leveling Needed | Patching small dips/ridges | $0.75 - $1.50 | 1-2 hours |
| Moisture Barrier Required | Install vapor barrier (concrete only) | $1.00 - $2.25 | 2-4 hours |
| Plywood Overlay | Add 1/4" plywood over existing | $1.50 - $3.00 | 1 day |
| Significant Repairs | Replace damaged sections (up to 25%) | $2.50 - $4.50 | 1-2 days |
| Complete Replacement | Remove and install new subfloor | $4.00 - $7.00 | 2-3 days |
| Concrete Leveling | Self-leveling compound application | $2.00 - $4.00 | 1-2 days drying |
Hardwood Floor Installation Factors
Aside from your area, wood type, wood grade, installation method, and subfloor conditions, some other key factors decide the overall installation cost for hardwood flooring.
| Factor | Description | Cost Impact | Project Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stairs | Each stair tread/riser installation | $50 - $150 per stair | Adds 15-30% to labor |
| Floor Transitions | Thresholds between rooms/materials | $75 - $200 each | Adds 5-10% to labor |
| Radiant Heating | Special installation over heated floors | $1.50 - $3.00/sq ft extra | Requires floating method |
| Floor Removal | Existing flooring removal/disposal | $1.00 - $3.00/sq ft | Adds 1-2 days |
| Furniture Moving | Professional furniture handling | $200 - $600 per room | Adds 4-8 hours |
| Baseboard Removal | Temporary removal/reinstallation | $1.50 - $4.00/linear ft | Adds 1 day |
| Custom Finishing | On-site staining/sealing | $2.00 - $5.00/sq ft | Adds 3-7 days |
1. Stairs
Installing hardwood flooring on stairs can increase the cost due to the extra labor and materials needed. Each step may cost you additional require additional $50 to $150 due to the precise cutting and fitting of the boards.
2. Floor Transitions
You’ll also have to add transitions where hardwood meets other flooring. Apart from a polished look, they can help prevent tripping hazards. Each transition strip may cost $75 to $200.
3. Radiant Heating
If you have installed heating systems in your floors during home building or renovations, the installation will require special care to avoid damaging the heating elements. Consider choosing floating or glue-down methods for this purpose to make your room soundproof.
4. Floor Removal
You might sometimes need to remove the old flooring, like carpet, tile, or existing hardwood, which may cost you an additional $1 to $3 per square foot for the project.
5. Furniture Moving
Furniture moving is also necessary when installing hardwood floors. Its cost may vary depending on how much and how big furniture elements you have in your space.
6. Baseboard Removal/Reinstallation
If you have installed baseboards in your room and now consider hardwood flooring installation, you’ll have to remove the baseboards first to ensure clean edges. It may cost you $1.50 to $4.00 per linear foot.
7. Custom Finishing
To give vintage style to your space, consider adding custom finishing and sealing to the hardwood planks, which will increase the installation price further by $2 to $5 per square foot.
Benefits Of Installing Hardwood Floors
Installing hardwood flooring may cost more initially, but it offers long-term benefits, making it valuable. You’ll see this in many trendy styles like wabi sabi interior design, as well as in Parisian interior style.
These floorings have a durability of around 50 years, are easy to maintain, and can boost your home’s resale value. You can use the hardwood flooring refinishing cost calculator if you want to get an estimate for refinishing services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is It Cheaper To Install Hardwood Floors Yourself?
Yes, you can save labor costs by doing a DIY installation. However, hardwood flooring requires precise cutting, fitting, and finishing. Mistakes can be costly to fix.
How Long Does It Take To Install Hardwood Floors?
A professional can install hardwood floors in a room with 200 to 300 square feet within 1 to 3 days, depending on preparation and finishing.
What Is The Lifespan Of Hardwood Flooring?
Hardwood floors with proper care can last 50 to 100 years. However, solid hardwood can be refinished multiple times, extending its life.
How Can I Estimate Hardwood Floor Installation Cost For My Home?
Simply, multiply the total square footage by the average cost per square foot in your area. For a precise estimate, use a Hardwood Floor Installation Cost Calculator that factors in materials, labor, and your ZIP code.
Where Not To Install Hardwood Floors?
Don’t install hardwood flooring in areas with high moisture, like bathrooms or basements. Water can cause the wood to warp and deteriorate, which will reduce its lifespan and appearance.
