Typical Hardwood Price Ranges
- Materialabout $4 to $10 per sq ft; exotic species $15 and up
- Laborabout $3 to $8 per sq ft
- Fully installedabout $7 to $18 per sq ft
- Old floor removalabout $1 to $2 per sq ft
- Subfloor repair, where neededabout $1 to $3 per sq ft
- Sanding, stain and finish after installabout $2 to $4 per sq ft
General ranges for planning, not a quote. Material, prep, the size of the job and the contractor set the real number, and prices move over time.
The Four Biggest Price Drivers
- Species. Oak is the everyday choice. Walnut and imported species can cost several times as much.
- Square footage. Bigger jobs sometimes earn a better rate per foot.
- Pattern. Straight rows are standard. Herringbone and chevron take much more cutting and labor.
- Subfloor prep. Leveling, repairs and, on a slab, adding a plywood layer for solid wood.
Solid or Engineered: The Price Surprise
Engineered wood of comparable quality typically costs at least a fifth more than solid, even though it uses less hardwood. It takes more work to make. People pick it for stability in wide planks, not to save money.
For narrow boards, solid is often the better value. Read engineered hardwood flooring installation for when the extra cost is worth it.
Prefinished or Finished on Site
Prefinished boards come with the finish already applied, so the floor is usable sooner. Unfinished boards get sanded, stained and finished in place, which adds cost and cure time but gives a smoother, sealed surface and full control over color.
The finishing line above only applies when the wood is finished on site.
Line Items to Watch For
- Removal and disposal of the old floor
- Subfloor repair or leveling, with a price per square foot if more is found
- Transitions, thresholds and trim
- Stairs, priced per step
- Furniture moving
Leaving these off is the most common way a quote looks cheaper than it is. See how to compare flooring quotes.
Getting More Floor for the Money
Put the money into the rooms people see and walk most, like the living room and entry, and choose a species and width that suits the house rather than the priciest board in the showroom.
A skilled install protects the wood you paid for. A floor laid badly costs far more to fix than it saved.
About These Numbers
These are general ranges from real jobs, and prices move with the market. Use them to judge whether a quote is reasonable, not as a price for your home.
Already have hardwood? Hardwood floor refinishing usually costs far less than new wood. More on installation in hardwood flooring installation.
Get a measured hardwood quote with the estimate form or call (904) 555-0186.