Hardwood Flooring Cost in 2026: Material and Installation
Hardwood is priced by the square foot installed, and the material you pick moves that number more than the labour does. Here is what each option really costs.
Short answer. Most homeowners pay $3,000 to $8,000 for a hardwood flooring, with a typical mid-grade project around $5,500. The spread is driven by scope, not by the size of the room.
Solid oak at $6–$9 per sq ft installed and wide-plank engineered at $12–$18 per sq ft installed are both 'hardwood floors', but they are different products with different tolerances for moisture and different lifetimes.
The ranges below assume removal of an existing floor, standard subfloor preparation, and a finished floor ready to walk on. Stairs, borders and herringbone patterns are priced separately because they consume far more labour per square foot.
Cost by scope of work
The same room can fall into three different rows. Decide which one you are actually buying before you compare bids.
| Scope of work | Typical cost | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered oak, floating install | $3,000 – $5,000 | 500 sq ft, click-lock or glue, no sanding on site. |
| Solid oak, nail-down, sanded and finished | $5,500 – $9,000 | 700 sq ft, 3/4 inch solid, site-finished with three coats. |
| Wide-plank engineered | $9,000 – $14,000 | 1,000 sq ft, 7–9 inch planks, matte finish, glue-down. |
| Herringbone or custom pattern | $15 – $25 per sq ft | Pattern work, borders, or stair cladding. Labour-dominant. |
Where the money goes
A typical mid-range budget breaks down like this. Material-heavy projects (roofing, siding) put more into product; labour-heavy projects (painting, tile) put more into hours.
| Line item | Share | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring material | 45% | $2,475 |
| Installation labour | 25% | $1,375 |
| Sanding and finishing | 14% | $770 |
| Removal and disposal of old floor | 7% | $385 |
| Subfloor preparation | 5% | $275 |
| Trim, transitions and shoe moulding | 4% | $220 |
Illustrative budget for a ≈ $5,500 (700 sq ft) hardwood flooring. Percentages are shares of the total project cost, not markups on materials.
What moves the price
Species and grade
Red oak is the value benchmark. White oak, maple, hickory and exotics cost 20–80% more. Clear-grade boards cost more than character grade, which is why 'rustic' floors are cheaper per square foot.
Solid versus engineered
Solid 3/4 inch can be sanded many times and needs a stable subfloor. Engineered is more dimensionally stable over concrete and in humid climates, and can often be floated — but may only allow one or two sandings.
Subfloor condition
Levelling compound, patching plywood or repairing a squeaky joist system adds $1–$3 per sq ft. Skipping it shows up as hollow spots and squeaks within a season.
Removal of the old floor
Carpet comes up in an hour. Tile and thinset can take a day and a half, with dust containment. This is the line most homeowners forget to ask about.
How much does it cost in your state?
Labour rates, permit fees and material logistics vary enough that a national range is only a starting point. California and New York run 30–35% above the national average for the same scope; Mississippi, Ohio and Texas run below it.
| State | Cost index | Adjusted planning range |
|---|---|---|
| California | 1.30 | $3,900 – $10,400 |
| New York | 1.35 | $4,100 – $10,800 |
| Massachusetts | 1.32 | $4,000 – $10,600 |
| Washington | 1.22 | $3,700 – $9,800 |
| Florida | 1.05 | $3,200 – $8,400 |
| Texas | 0.95 | $2,800 – $7,600 |
| Ohio | 0.90 | $2,700 – $7,200 |
| Mississippi | 0.82 | $2,500 – $6,600 |
Index 1.00 = the national average used in the range above. Derived from published labour-rate and material-cost differentials, then applied to the national range and rounded to the nearest $100. Treat it as a planning band, not a quote.
Local permits and HOA rules add cost that no index captures. Two or three written quotes for your address remain the only accurate number.
How to get a number you can trust
- Write the scope down. List what is being removed, what is being installed, and what is explicitly excluded. A bid is only comparable to another bid with the same scope.
- Get three written quotes. Ask each contractor to state the permit holder, the payment schedule and the change-order rate. Verbal estimates are not quotes.
- Hold a contingency. 10–15% on any project that opens a wall, a floor or a roof. Hidden conditions are the norm, not the exception.
- Check licensing and insurance. Verify the licence number with the state, and ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as additionally insured.
Frequently asked questions
How much does hardwood flooring cost per square foot?
About $6–$12 per sq ft installed for mid-grade solid oak, including removal of the old floor and finishing. Wide-plank engineered and exotic species run $12–$20.
Is refinishing cheaper than replacing?
Yes, substantially. Refinishing runs roughly $3–$5 per sq ft and buys another 15–20 years if the wear layer is thick enough. Solid wood can be refinished several times; thin engineered veneer often cannot be refinished at all.
Engineered or solid hardwood?
Solid for above-grade rooms with a plywood subfloor and a stable humidity range. Engineered for basements, slab-on-grade, and homes with wide seasonal humidity swings.
How long does hardwood installation take?
Three to six days for 700–1,000 sq ft including acclimation, installation, sanding and three coats of finish. The finish needs 24–48 hours before furniture goes back.
Can hardwood go over existing tile?
Sometimes, with an appropriate underlayment and enough height at doorways, but it is rarely the best answer. Tile is usually removed so the new floor can be fastened or glued to a stable substrate.
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Last updated: November 2026. Figures are planning estimates for general information, not a quote or a contract.