The True Cost of Wood Flooring: Installation, Materials, and More
If you’re considering using hardwood flooring in your home, there are a few things you need to know about the true cost of wood flooring. This not only includes the cost of materials, but also the installation process itself and any other associated costs. In this blog post, we will break down all of those factors so that you have a better understanding of what to expect when installing wood flooring in your home. (The prices mentioned in this post are an average for 2022)
Wood flooring product
The Cost of wood flooring can vary greatly depending on the type of wood you choose. For example, engineered hardwood floors are typically more expensive than solid hardwood floors because of the construction of the board and its benefits. Engineered wood flooring is more stable, can be installed over a wide range of subfloors, and can be installed over underfloor heating.
A good quality prefinished wood floor can vary from $7-$20 sf or more depending on your preferences.
Old floor demolition
You’ll need to factor in the cost of any demolition work that needs to be done to remove your old flooring. This is typically a job best left to the professionals, as it can be messy and time-consuming. The cost of this will depend on the size of your space and the type of flooring you have but it can range from $0.50-$2.00 per sf.
Installation
Wood flooring installation costs can also vary based on a number of factors, such as installing pre-finished or unfinished wood floors and the size of your project. The cost of installation is typically between $3 and $8 per square foot. If there is any subfloor preparation to be done like replacing, leveling the subfloor or removing rotten areas, budget for $1-$3 sf depending on the complexity of the issue.
Adhesives or underlayment
This is often a line item in your contractor’s quote. If you want to glue down or glue assist your floor and it requires adhesive or any sort of underlayment, budget $1-$1.5 sq ft.
Vents
Another important thing you need to budget for is the heat vents. They are custom ordered to match the color of your floor and they can be costly so budget around $100-$200 per vent.
Stairs
If you want to replace your current stairs with wood flooring, the price per stair can vary from $150-$350. This, of course, will depend on the complexity of the stairs but the price above includes manufacturing and installation of square nosing steps.
Painter
After your flooring has been installed, you’ll need to find a painter to paint your baseboards. The cost of a painter can be around $.50-$1.50 per linear foot. Normally, you will need to find a painter for your project unless your contractor refers you to one. To find a painter, you can ask friends and family for recommendations or search sites like TaskRabbit.
A plumber or electrician
A plumber or electrician may be needed to disconnect and reconnect appliances, but this is typically not done by contractors in case something goes wrong in the future. The cost for this ranges from $200-$800 depending on the size of the project.
So there you have it, the true cost of installing hardwood flooring. It’s a big investment, but it can last for many years with proper care. At Woodpecker Flooring, we want to ensure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your hardwood floors. We offer a wide variety of products and services, from custom stairs to accessories to make your installation as seamless as possible. Be sure to check out our website or contact us today for more information on our products and services. We would love to hear from you!