Hardwood Floor Installation Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost to install hardwood floors — including material, labor, finish, and add-ons — by room size, wood species, and installation method.
Hardwood floor installation cost overview
Hardwood floor installation costs $6–$23 per square foot installed, including materials and labor. Oak solid hardwood runs $6–$12/sq ft installed. Walnut and exotic species can reach $14–$23/sq ft.
Labor is typically $2.50–$5/sq ft for nail-down or floating installation. Site-finishing (sanding and coating in place) adds $1.50–$2.50/sq ft but achieves a seamless, custom result.
Hardwood flooring consistently ranks as one of the top ROI renovations — typically returning 70–80% of its cost at resale.
Cost by wood species
Oak
Most popular — widely available, takes stain well
$6–$12/sq ft
Maple
Hard and durable — great for high-traffic areas
$7–$14/sq ft
Hickory
Very hard and distinctive grain pattern
$7–$15/sq ft
Walnut
Rich dark tones — premium appearance
$10–$18/sq ft
Exotic Species
Brazilian cherry, teak, acacia — luxury option
$12–$23/sq ft
Installed cost including material and nail-down labor. Site-finishing adds $1.50–$2.50/sq ft.
How It Works
Enter room dimensions
Input length and width of each room, or total square footage.
Choose species & finish
Select hardwood species, pre-finished vs. site-finished, and installation method.
Get full cost breakdown
Receive material, labor, and subfloor prep costs with waste factor included.
Hardwood Flooring Cost by Species
| Species | Material Cost/Sq Ft | Installed Cost/Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| Oak (Red/White) | $3–$6 | $8–$14 |
| Maple | $4–$7 | $9–$15 |
| Hickory | $4–$8 | $9–$16 |
| Walnut | $7–$14 | $13–$22 |
| Exotic (Teak, IPE) | $10–$20 | $16–$30 |
Frequently asked questions
How long do hardwood floors last?
Solid hardwood floors last 50–100+ years with proper care. The key advantage is they can be sanded and refinished 3–5 times, restoring them to like-new condition. Engineered hardwood can typically be refinished 1–2 times.
What installation method is best?
Nail-down is the standard for solid hardwood over wood subfloors. Glue-down is used over concrete. Floating works over most subfloors and is suitable for engineered hardwood. Nail-down provides the most solid feel but requires a wood subfloor at least 3/4" thick.