Quick Answer: Hardwood floor installation costs $6–$18 per square foot total. A 500 sq ft room runs $3,000–$9,000. Solid oak costs $3–$10/sq ft for material plus $2.60–$3.80/sq ft for labor. Engineered hardwood saves 15–25% with faster installation. Add $1.00–$1.50/sq ft for underlayment and supplies, plus $475–$525 for floor prep, baseboard removal, transitions, and cleanup. Enter your ZIP for local carpenter rates.
Calculate hardwood floor installation costs. Select the wood type, floor area, quality, and ZIP code to get a location-specific estimate with a full cost breakdown.
Hardwood Floor Cost by Type
| Wood Type | Material/Sq Ft | Installed/Sq Ft | Janka Hardness | Refinish Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Oak | $3–$10/sq ft | $8–$16/sq ft | 1,290 | 3–5 times |
| Solid Maple | $4–$12/sq ft | $9–$18/sq ft | 1,450 | 3–5 times |
| Engineered | $3–$9/sq ft | $6–$14/sq ft | Varies | 1–2 times |
| Bamboo | $2–$7/sq ft | $5–$12/sq ft | 1,000–1,400 | 1–2 times |
How Hardwood Floor Cost Is Calculated
- Wood flooring: Area × material rate ($2–$12/sq ft). Price varies by species, grade, width, and finish (prefinished vs site-finished).
- Supplies: Area × $1.00–$1.50/sq ft for underlayment, adhesive or nails, transition strips, and moisture barrier.
- Labor: Area × hours per sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Solid hardwood takes 0.08 hr/sq ft (nail-down); engineered/bamboo 0.06 hr/sq ft (click-lock or glue-down).
- Fixed costs: Floor prep and leveling ($150–$200), baseboard removal/reinstall ($150), transition strips ($100), and cleanup ($75).
- Contractor markup: 20% for overhead, profit, and warranty.
Solid vs Engineered Hardwood
| Factor | Solid Hardwood | Engineered Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Installed Cost | $8–$18/sq ft | $6–$14/sq ft |
| Lifespan | 75–100+ years | 30–50 years |
| Refinishing | 3–5 times | 1–2 times |
| Installation | Nail-down (plywood subfloor) | Click-lock, glue, or float |
| Below Grade | Not recommended | Yes (with moisture barrier) |
Formula Summary
Hardwood Floor Cost Formula: Total cost includes wood material, supplies, burdened labor, and fixed costs, multiplied by contractor markup.
Total = (A × M + A × S + A × H × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20
where A = floor area (sq ft), M = material cost/sq ft, S = supplies/sq ft, H = labor hours/sq ft, R = hourly carpenter rate, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.
| Wood Type | Material $/sq ft (mid) | Labor hr/sq ft | Fixed Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Oak | $6 | 0.08 | $525 |
| Solid Maple | $7 | 0.08 | $525 |
| Engineered | $5 | 0.06 | $475 |
| Bamboo | $4 | 0.06 | $475 |
Constants: Supplies $1.00–$1.50/sq ft. Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Fixed costs include floor prep, baseboard removal/reinstall, transitions, and cleanup ($475–$525). Trade: carpenters (SOC 47-2031). Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.
Carpenters Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Metro | 25th %ile | Mean | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $27.07 | $37.32 | $46.01 |
| Los Angeles | $26.91 | $36.97 | $47.02 |
| Chicago | $24.11 | $38.11 | $51.92 |
| Dallas | $20.33 | $24.01 | $26.76 |
| Houston | $22.32 | $24.93 | $28.40 |
| Washington | $23.86 | $30.71 | $34.34 |
| Philadelphia | $24.09 | $32.62 | $36.99 |
| Miami | $20.50 | $24.57 | $27.85 |
| Atlanta | $22.03 | $24.84 | $28.25 |
| Phoenix | $22.72 | $28.74 | $34.55 |
Comparing Options?
Compare All Flooring Types Side by Side →
Compare hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and carpet installation costs in one calculator.
Related Calculators
- Flooring Cost Calculator — compare all flooring types and installation costs
- Carpet Installation Cost Calculator — estimate carpet costs by style and quality
- Tile Installation Cost Calculator — estimate tile flooring installation costs
- Board Foot Calculator — calculate lumber dimensions for woodworking
Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.
Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.