The Average Cost of Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring

Consumers have several options when it comes to choosing what material to use in the installation of a hardwood floor. Regardless what material is chosen, the cost to have a hardwood floor installed can average thousands of dollars. Before having a hardwood floor installed, research should be done on the installation company to make sure the consumer is not getting taken advantage of.

Materials

Hardwood floors can be constructed out of many different types of woods and materials. The choice of which wood or material will be used in the fabrication of a hardwood floor will greatly affect cost. Some of the more common materials used to make hardwood floors out of include hickory, maple, cherry, pine, bamboo and cypress.

Cost of Material

Using pine planks in a hardwood floor installation will cost, installed, around $12 a square foot. Solid-strip wood flooring will run around $8 a square foot installed. Factory-finished hardwood flooring can cost $8 a square foot on the low end and can run upwards of $14 a square foot. Bamboo can cost anywhere between $4 and $6 a square foot not including the cost of installation. Consumers can expect to pay anywhere between $4 and $13 per square foot for Brazilian cherry or Australian cypress uninstalled. American cherry is a relatively inexpensive material and is available for around $5 a square foot.

Cost of Installation

Some people may elect to install a hardwood floor themselves to avoid costly installation fees. Having a hardwood floor professionally installed can cost a few thousand dollars in and of itself. Before making a commitment to any company regarding the installation of a hardwood floor, consumers should shop around and get several quotes to make sure they are getting the best deal from the most credible installation company.

Additional Costs

There are several other factors that go into the overall cost of installing a hardwood floor. If there is a preexisting floor, whether it be hardwood, carpet or any other material, the installation company will usually charge the consumer to remove and dispose of it. If furniture has to be moved, an additional fee will usually be incurred. Adding borders can drive up the cost of the project an extra $1 to $2 a square foot. Adding shoe moldings, wood staining and installing hardwood flooring on stairs are additional factors that can drive up overall cost.

Considerations

Consumers should purchase anywhere from 5 to 15 percent more flooring than is needed to allow for waste allowances. When the wood material is delivered to the installation site, it should be stored in the room it is to be installed in for about a week before its installed. This is done to allow the wood to adjust to the particular room's current humidity level.

References

• Hardwood Installer
• This Old House
• Cost Helper