Hardwood Floor Installation Cost Calculator

Hardwood floor installation costs $8–$22 per square foot for materials and labor combined. Material costs range from $5–$18/sqft depending on wood species (oak $6–$12, walnut $10–$18, engineered $5–$10). Labor adds $2–$6/sqft depending on install method. A 500 sqft project typically costs $4,500–$11,000 total. Add $1–$3/sqft for old floor removal and $2–$4/sqft for staining and finishing if needed.

Engineered hardwood with floating installation is the most affordable option at $7–$14 per sqft total (material $5–$10/sqft + floating install $2–$4/sqft). Solid oak with nail-down installation is the next most affordable at $9–$17/sqft. Floating engineered floors are also the easiest to DIY, saving $2–$4/sqft in labor costs. Budget for a 500 sqft room: $3,500–$7,000 for engineered floating, $4,500–$8,500 for solid oak nail-down.

Professional hardwood floor installation takes 1–3 days for a 500 sqft area. Floating engineered floors are fastest (1–2 days), nail-down solid hardwood takes 2–3 days, and glue-down takes 2–3 days plus 24-hour cure time. Add 1 day for old floor removal and 2–3 days for staining and finishing (including dry time). Acclimation period: wood should sit in the room 3–7 days before installation to adjust to humidity.

Solid hardwood ($6–$18/sqft) is 3/4-inch thick real wood that can be refinished 3–5 times over its 50–100 year lifespan. Best for main floors above grade. Cannot be installed over concrete or below grade. Engineered hardwood ($5–$10/sqft) has a plywood core with real wood veneer on top. Can be installed over concrete, radiant heat, and below grade. Can be refinished 1–2 times. Better moisture resistance. Most cost-effective for basements and concrete slabs.

Hickory (Janka hardness 1,820) is the most durable common hardwood at $8–$14/sqft. Oak (Janka 1,290) offers the best value for moderate traffic at $6–$12/sqft. Maple (Janka 1,450) is harder than oak with a clean look at $7–$13/sqft. For maximum durability, choose hickory or maple with a nail-down installation and factory-applied finish. Avoid walnut (Janka 1,010) in high-traffic areas — it dents more easily despite its premium price.

DIY is feasible for floating engineered floors (click-lock, no fasteners) and saves $2–$4/sqft in labor. Nail-down installation requires a flooring nailer rental ($50–$75/day) and moderate skill. Glue-down is the most difficult DIY method. You'll need: flooring nailer or mallet, tape measure, miter saw, spacers, underlayment (for floating). Budget 30–50% more time than a professional. Avoid DIY for complex patterns, stairs, or rooms requiring extensive old floor removal.

Hardwood floors typically return 70–80% of installation cost at resale and can increase home value by 2.5–5%. According to NAR, 54% of home buyers are willing to pay more for hardwood floors. In a $300,000 home, hardwood floors can add $7,500–$15,000 in value. Oak is the most universally appealing species for resale. Engineered hardwood provides similar value perception at lower cost. Avoid overly trendy colors or exotic species that may not appeal to all buyers.

Daily: sweep or dust mop to prevent scratches from grit. Weekly: vacuum with hard-floor setting (no beater bar). Monthly: damp mop with hardwood-specific cleaner ($8–$15/bottle). Annually: refresh with hardwood polish ($20–$30). Every 5–10 years: screen and recoat ($1.50–$3/sqft professionally). Every 15–25 years: full sand and refinish ($3–$8/sqft). Use felt pads on furniture legs, area rugs in high-traffic zones, and maintain 35–55% indoor humidity to prevent warping.