Hardwood is the flooring material that adds the most value to a home. It is especially popular in living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. It is especially popular in living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. On average, homeowners nationwide spend $12 to $20 per square foot to install solid hardwood flooring, including materials and labor.
While the total costs can vary significantly depending on the type of wood, the size of your room, and the difficulty of installation, the average cost to install hardwood flooring in a 200-square-foot room ranges from $2,400 to $4,000.
These cost estimates take into account different types of hardwood flooring, with data gathered across various U.S. cities, large and small.
Costs by Location
The costs for hardwood flooring installation can vary depending on where your home is located. In general, contractors in metropolitan areas charge more for their services than those in rural areas due to the higher living costs and demand.
For homeowners in very dry climates, it’s important to be cautious during installation. Wood floors can split or crack if not installed correctly, as extreme dryness can cause the wood to shrink. Proper acclimation and professional installation ensure your floors remain in great condition over time.
The following table shows the average costs of hardwood flooring across the nation:
| City | Cost per Square Foot (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $12 – $19.50 |
| New York, NY | $14.50 – $24.50 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Dothan, AL | $10.50 – $18 |
| Orlando, FL | $11 – $18.50 |
| Atlanta, GA | $12.50 – $21 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| South Bend, IN | $11 – $18.50 |
| Chicago, IL | $13 – $21.50 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Corvallis, OR | $11 – $18.50 |
| Seattle, WA | $12.50 – $21 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Roswell, NM | $11 – $18.50 |
| San Diego, CA | $12 – $20.50 |
| Houston, TX | $13 – $21.50 |
Pro Tip: If you’re on a budget but still want hardwood floors, consider choosing less expensive wood types, like pine; installing the wood in a straight pattern; purchasing in bulk; or refinishing instead of installing new hardwood floors.
Cost Estimator by Material
The cost of your hardwood flooring can also vary a lot based on the type of material you choose:
| Type | Cost per Square Foot (Labor and Materials) | Definition |
| Prefinished hardwood | $6 – $15 | Comes with factory-applied sanding and coating. |
| Engineered hardwood | $6 – $20 | It features a plywood core topped with a hardwood layer. |
| Faux parquet | $8 – $15 | Tiles that imitate parquet patterns. |
| Solid hardwood | $8.50 – $26 | It has a solid wood core for maximum durability and longevity. |
| True parquet | $15 – $42 | Uses small wood pieces to create intricate patterns. |
Cost by Wood Type
When looking for the best hardwood floors for your home, you might have noticed that different types of wood have different price points. That can be due to various factors, including the wood’s quality, availability, and demand.
Next, we will show you the differences between the most common wood types, including their costs. Pine, a softwood, stands out as the least expensive flooring type, while teak emerges as the most costly one. Red oak, an affordable alternative, is the most common hardwood flooring option in the U.S.
| Wood Type | Average Cost (Per Square Foot/Materials Only) |
| Pine | $3 – $6 |
| Bamboo | $3 – $10 |
| Red Oak | $4 – $9 |
| Maple | $4 – $12 |
| Cherry | $5 – $10 |
| White Oak | $5 – $11 |
| Hickory | $5 – $11 |
| White Ash | $6 – $11 |
| Cypress | $6 – $12 |
| Mahogany | $7 – $12 |
| Brazilian Walnut | $7 – $13 |
| Teak | $10 – $17 |
Pine
Pine flooring is a relatively inexpensive option for flooring. It can give your home a warm and natural look, but because it is a softwood floor, it is prone to dents and scratches, so it may not be the best choice for high-traffic areas or if you have pets.
Bamboo
Bamboo is not considered hardwood because the bamboo plant is a type of grass, not a tree. However, bamboo is a renewable resource that grows quickly, making it more sustainable than other types of wood flooring. In addition, this type of flooring is durable and prone to fewer scratches than other hardwood flooring options.
Red Oak
Red oak hardwood flooring has a beautiful grain pattern and natural luster, which give it a sophisticated look. It is the most popular choice for flooring due to its strength and ability to resist stains, and it can be finished in various ways to achieve different looks.
Maple
Maple has a Janka rating of 1450 (a measure of hardness for each wood), meaning it is a sturdy option for hardwood flooring. This flooring has a light, creamy coloring with a subtle grain and is typically finished with light or neutral stains. This type of hardwood can be used in high-traffic areas and can last for generations if cared for properly.
Cherry
Cherry hardwood flooring is a relatively soft wood, with a Janka rating of 950, which makes it more appropriate for low-traffic areas such as bedrooms. However, cherry flooring is prized for its beautiful reddish color and can give your home an elegant touch.
White Oak
White oak flooring is a strong and durable wood that can be used in high-traffic areas and even in kitchens, as it is more resistant to water than red oak. It has a light color but can be stained in multiple color options.
Hickory
Hickory is known for its sturdiness and durability, making it a popular choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and children. In addition, hickory has a high Janka rating of 1820, which means it is among the hardest flooring options and doesn’t dent or scratch easily.
White Ash
White ash hardwood floors are a durable and modern option for more contemporary homeowners looking for stain-resistant flooring. It has a bold grain design, medium density, and a light color.
Cypress
Cypress wood has a distinct light yellow color. It is durable, resilient, and termite-resistant, so you most likely won’t have to worry about those icky insects feeding off your flooring. However, cypress is also a softwood, and as such, it can become scratched and dented.
Mahogany
Mahogany hardwood floors have a rich brown-red color that can warm up any room. It is a hard and stable type of wood that won’t fade easily with sunlight. It can also withstand wear and tear reasonably.
Brazilian Walnut
Brazilian walnut, also known as ipe, is a dense and durable wood resistant to wear, rot, and most insects. In fact, with a Janka rating of 3684, it wins the prize for the most durable option on our list. It also has moisture resistance and can be installed over radiant heat systems. It is a popular choice for flooring because of its versatility and attractive appearance.
Teak
Teak hardwood flooring has a deep brown tone with a straight grain, making it look elegant in every home. It is a dense type of wood with high oil content, giving it a shine with no need for additional treatments. It can last for decades with very low maintenance necessary, as it is also resistant to water and most insects.
Cost Estimator by Size
The square footage of the area highly influences hardwood flooring installation costs. Typically, installing hardwood costs between $12 and $20 per square foot, including labor and materials.
The costs estimated below are based on the average costs per square foot, so you can use them to estimate your project’s cost:
| Project Size | Average Overall Cost |
| 100 sq. ft. | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| 200 sq. ft. | $2,400 – $4,000 |
| 300 sq. ft. | $3,600 – $6,000 |
| 400 sq. ft. | $4,800 – $8,000 |
| 500 sq. ft. | $6,000 – $10,000 |
Pro Tip: Contractors sometimes offer a slight discount for larger areas, so even though the total cost will increase, the cost per square foot may be lower.
Cost of Labor
You can expect to pay between $3 and $8 per square foot for labor for hardwood flooring installation or between 35% and 50% of total costs. Labor costs will vary depending on the type of wood and the complexity of the installation. Most pros include trim and molding in the total.
Labor costs can be influenced by:
- Hardness of the wood
- Intricate patterns
- Room layout
- Prep and cleanup
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Wood Grade
The grade of the hardwood floor refers to the quality and appearance of the wood, a key factor in determining your cost:
- Prime grades feature minimal knots and imperfections, which come at a higher cost, usually $9 to $22 per square foot installed.
- Select grades have a more natural variation, with occasional knots and color differences, offering a slightly lower price point of $7 to $15 per square foot.
- Lower grades are more rustic, with pronounced imperfections and a wider color range, making them the most affordable option, at $5 to $13 per square foot.
Wood Dimensions
The dimensions of the wood planks used for hardwood flooring can have a significant impact on your project’s overall costs. Here’s how:
- Thickness: Most planks used for flooring are 3/4-inch thick, costing $3 to $8 per square foot. Thinner wood planks of 5/16 inch will cost less, $2 to $5 per square foot, but will make refinishing more tricky. On the other hand, thicker wood planks of about 7/8 inch will cost between $4 and $11 per square foot.
- Width: Wood planks used for hardwood flooring are typically 3 inches wide. Wider planks are available at a higher price, as these planks will require more raw material. However, installing wider planks is easier and may reduce labor costs.
- Length: Traditional hardwood floors are typically made in 3-foot-long planks. Longer planks are more expensive because they are made with more solid wood.
Subfloor and Joist Repairs
The subfloor is the layer installed over the structural floor of your home, giving your flooring a level and stable surface to be installed on. When the subfloors and underlayment are not in good condition, it can cause issues with the flooring installation and decrease its lifespan.
Repairing subfloors can add between $2.20 to $4.75 per square foot to your budget.
It is also common to discover that the joists, the structural beams beneath your flooring, are damaged. In that case, it is essential to address this problem, as it can lead to serious structural issues in your flooring.
Repairing joists costs between $350 to $1,000 per joist.
FAQ
Can you Install Hardwood Flooring DIY?
Although it may seem tempting to save on labor costs by installing the flooring yourself, it’s not worth the risk. Hardwood is not an easy DIY project like click and lock floating flooring or vinyl sheets, and when poorly installed, it can lead to warps, splits, and shrinking.
It’s best to hire a professional to ensure that the job is done correctly and avoid having problems in the future.
Do Wood Floors Increase Your Home Value?
Yes, wood flooring is the option with the most significant return on investment, typically delivering an ROI of 70 to 80%. They are desirable for many homebuyers nationwide because they are elegant, can last decades with proper care, and boost a home’s sale price by as much as 2.5%.
In addition, they can be refinished, which allows for a fresh look without having to renovate the flooring completely.
Give Your Home an Elegant Look
Hardwood floors can be a great home improvement project for any home looking for a warm and elegant look. However, it’s important to keep in mind that proper installation is key to ensuring that your floors will last for years to come.
Costs in this article are derived from national and local sources and are accurate at the time of reporting and writing.
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Main Image Credit: oldmn / Adobe Stock Free / License
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