Hardwood Install Cost


Hardwood Install CostThe cost to install hardwood floors involves more than just the wood itself. In nearly all cases, with the exception of some lock flooring or laminate products, a professional needs to come in to install the floor. The types of services contribute to the overall installation cost and vary by region. If you are planning to install a hardwood floor, what factors or services may contribute to the cost?

General installation, no matter if planks are being nailed, glued, or floated, ends up being $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot. If a home has concrete subfloors, plywood needs to be added on top before any planks are installed, and this service ends up being an additional $1.50 per square foot.

Although prefinished hardwoods tend to cost more, installation for unfinished products involves finishing and staining. The process of refinishing, on average, is $3.25 per square feet, while screening and coating are $1.25 per square foot. Staining is an additional $4.50 per square foot.

Beyond these standard installation procedures, a professional may charge for flooring preparation, which can include tearing up old floor materials or, in the case of lock and fold products, adding the underlayment. Added to this may be carpet removal, floor protection, and disposal of old materials.

While you may have already chosen between solid and engineered flooring based on the conditions of your home, more features may need to be added to protect the hardwood. These may include a moisture barrier, common hardwood borders, or sound control.

Hardwood Install Cost

At the same time you take into account all procedures to install a hardwood floor, the cost may likely include all materials used. For most floors, the overall price needs to cover fasteners, such as nails or staples. If lock flooring is being installed, underlayment and possibly adhesive need to be included. In addition to a combination of fasteners, underlayment, or adhesive, trim moldings will likely be added and need to be factored into the overall cost.