How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost?

Hardwood flooring is an excellent choice to bring warmth and long-lasting durability to any home. Higher quality than laminate or vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring improves the appearance of a home and adds resale value to your home.¹ It also has many benefits over other types of wood-look flooring options: It's more durable and can be refinished instead of replaced.² Hardwood flooring is warmer, more comfortable underfoot than tile, and can have a better return on investment than tile or carpet.^{1, 2} It's no wonder that hardwood flooring is such a popular choice for home renovators. Continue reading to learn more about the average costs of hardwood flooring and explore a variety of factors to consider if you're installing hardwood flooring in your home.

The cost of hardwood flooring can vary widely depending on the type of flooring you choose and whether you install it yourself or have a professional handle the project.

The cost to install hardwood floors ranges from $2,484 to $6,802, with the average cost coming in at $4,569.³

Here are some common types and their average prices:⁴>

READ MORE: Where to Shop for Hardwood Flooring

The cost of hardwood flooring depends on many factors. The good news is that because the cost is so variable, there's likely a type of hardwood flooring that fits your budget. Here are some factors that impact the cost of hardwood flooring.

The size of the area you want to cover with hardwood flooring is the primary driver behind the material cost of your hardwood flooring project.⁴ For example, a small 100-square-foot sunroom will cost much less than installing flooring in a 3,000-square-foot living area. So the first step in calculating the cost of your hardwood flooring project is to calculate the square footage of the project.⁴

That said, square footage doesn't have as big of an impact on labor costs if you're hiring out the project to be completed by a professional. If you plan to hire a contractor, there's often a minimum fee required for them to start work—so the cost won't necessarily increase linearly with the project's square footage.

For example, if your project is small (less than a day), your contractor may charge you a day rate for the entire day if they can't move on to another project after yours is complete. Your contractor may also charge a travel fee if you live at the far edge of their service area; that fee is not affected by the square footage of the project. It's important to request an itemized quote from your contractor so you clearly understand these charges.

Installing hardwood flooring requires some expertise, which is why homeowners often hire professionals. Hiring a contractor or other flooring professional to install your hardwood floors will increase the project cost compared to doing it yourself, but remember that DIYing isn't free either.

If you go the DIY route, you'll need to factor in the time it will take you, the need to purchase extra material for the inevitable mistakes you'll make, and the cost of the specialized tools you'll need to complete the project—all of which can quickly add up to hundreds of extra dollars. When deciding whether to hire a professional, consider if it's worth trying to do it yourself or if you'd rather leave it to the pros.

READ MORE: Home Improvement 101: DIY or Why Not

The first and most aesthetically important aspect of hardwood flooring is usually the color. While reds and darker browns commonly associated with oak flooring were once in style, paler woods like ash or maple and weathered gray tones are now considered modern.

Another factor that impacts the cost of your hardwood flooring is the type of hardwood. The most common type of hardwood flooring is oak. This wood species gained popularity in the late 19th century due to its durability and ability to be stained in various colors.⁵ Today, you'll find oak hardwood flooring as the predominant type at your local big-box store.⁶ If you're looking for rare wood species, try dedicated flooring stores. Dedicated flooring stores have a more comprehensive selection of rare high-end flooring like Brazilian Cherry, Zebra Wood, or Macassar Ebony, which can cost as much as $90 per square foot.⁷

Finally, the grain of the wood also impacts the cost of the flooring. Grain is determined by how the wood is sawn. Flooring that is plain-sawn is the most common and results in the grain flowing across the wood.⁸ Quarter-sawn planks are produced by specialty lumberyards and result in a grain that runs in a line down the length of the wood.⁹

The type of hardwood you choose (e.g., traditional, engineered or reclaimed) will impact the price. Traditional hardwood is solid hardwood all the way through. Since more actual wood is used in conventional hardwood, this flooring is more expensive.

Engineered hardwood flooring uses a plywood base, and the top of the wood (the part facing upward) is a solid hardwood veneer. Engineered hardwood is generally less expensive, but it can't be refinished as often as traditional hardwood.⁴

For a truly unique, one-of-a-kind floor, consider reclaimed hardwood. Reclaimed hardwood is older wood, usually oak or pine, that has been reclaimed from 100-year-old barns and wooden structures.¹⁰ Reclaimed wood can be wide plank or narrower widths, and it's found at specialty lumberyards. Staff experts are usually on hand to help you pick a period-appropriate wood if your home is older. Reclaimed wood can be either engineered hardwood (with a veneer) or traditional hardwood (hardwood all the way through the board).¹⁰

A final aspect that can impact the cost of your hardwood flooring project is the pattern. Contrary to what you might think, a simple staggered placement of hardwood flooring is not the only option. Herringbone, diagonal strips, parquet, chevron and square basket are all pattern styles you can use when installing your floors.¹¹ Keep in mind that the more intricate the pattern, the more expensive the installation.⁴

The cost of hardwood flooring largely hinges on two key factors: the type of hardwood you choose and the square footage of the space. The cost of an average hardwood flooring project is 50% to 75% materials and 25% to 50% labor.⁴ Using this information, it's possible to estimate the cost of your hardwood flooring project.

Step 1: Measure

First, calculate the square footage of the space. You can do this by measuring the length and width of the room and multiplying those two numbers. Then, add 5% to 10% to that figure to account for cuts and waste.

For example, suppose you have a room that measures 10 feet by 8 feet. Here's the calculation:

• 10 feet x 8 feet = 80 square feet

• 80 feet x 1.10 = 88 square feet

Step 2: Multiply

Once you have a square footage figure, you can multiply that number by the cost per square foot of the hardwood flooring you want. That will give you the cost of the materials. For instance:

• Cost of materials: 88 feet x $10/square foot for French oak flooring = $880

Step 3: Add in the extras (if any)

If you're planning to hire pros for your project, add 25% to 50% to estimate the cost of labor. If you're DIYing the project, you should also factor in any specialized tools you'll need to buy to finish the project. Don't forget to add extra costs like nails, shoe molding and thresholds. For example:

• If DIYing: $880 material cost + $300 extra materials and tools = $1,180

• If hiring pros: $880 material cost + ($880 x 50% labor costs = $440) = $1,320

Hardwood flooring can last hundreds of years when properly maintained, but it can also become damaged over time. If this happens, you don't have to replace them with new hardwood floors, which involves pulling up the old flooring and laying new hardwood. Instead, you can refinish them. Refinishing your hardwood floors involves sanding off the top layer of finish and wood, then reapplying stain and sealer.¹²

While refinishing hardwood floors can be done by an industrious DIYer, many homeowners opt to hire a professional. Even when hiring a professional, refinishing hardwood floors is generally less expensive than replacing them because the material cost is much lower.¹³

The cost to refinish hardwood floors depends on several factors, namely whether you plan to do it yourself and whether you're refinishing the entire floor or just a portion of the floor. The cost to refinish a hardwood floor ranges from $1,077 to $2,529, with a national average cost of $1,803.¹³

While hardwood flooring is exceptionally durable, it can become damaged and require replacing or refinishing. Here are some reasons you might need to replace or refinish your hardwood flooring:¹⁴

• Normal wear and tear that has caused scratches and worn down the floor's finish

• Pet stains and damage

• Paint removal or floor repair after removing coverings like carpet

• Water damage due to leaks or spills

If you think your hardwood flooring needs to be replaced, get the opinion of a hardwood flooring expert. As a homeowner, you might not have the experience to determine whether your hardwood flooring needs to be replaced vs. refinished. That said, here are some telltale signs that it's time to replace your hardwood flooring:

• Excessive warping, twisting or bowing of the wood flooring due to water damage

• Deep gouges or splinters in the wood

• Discoloration like bleaching or darkening due to mold

• Pet stains

• Too much refinishing

• Protruding nailheads (a sign of too many refinishes)

In each of these instances, the structural integrity of the hardwood is compromised. In cases of less severe damage, refinishing your hardwood may be an option.

Hardwood flooring is a significant investment that can last for decades when installed and cared for correctly.

Hardwood flooring is available in a wide variety of styles and colors, and is best for those looking for long-wearing flooring that's an investment in their property's value. That said, it's not for everyone. For example, hardwood flooring might not be the best choice if you have large, active dogs with long nails, as the flooring could become damaged and require refinishing.

Home renovations can be exciting, but before you dive in, consider how you'll pay for your project. Depending on the cost, you may be able to pay for the project with personal savings, or you may want to finance your project. Learn how Synchrony HOME™ Credit Card can help support your home improvement project needs.

Julie Ryan Evans (February 23, 2022) The Best Flooring for Resale Value: Wood, Tile, Carpet, and Beyond retrieved from https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/what-type-of-flooring-should-i-install-for-best-resale-value/