Hardwood flooring is loved by many homeowners, even though it is not always the least expensive option. Hardwood adds warmth and color to your home; it’s also very durable and versatile. A well-maintained hardwood floor should last you for a lifetime. Therefore, any price considerations should be considered in the context of the floor lasting for decades. Here are the price considerations.
Cost of the Hardwood Flooring
The hardwood flooring itself will be your first expense. There are about three tiers of flooring. Softwoods are the most affordable but also the most vulnerable to damage and moisture. If you’re looking for hardwood, you’ll start in the middle of the price range. For between about $5 and $10 per square foot, you can get teak, cherry, oak and similar woods. These are very versatile woods that can provide you with a quality floor. If you’re looking for something more rare and high end, you’ll probably pay closer to $8 to $14 per square foot. Fortunately, the installation costs don’t change for different types of hardwoods.
Installation Costs
Hardwood flooring installation will generally cost you about $5 to $10 per square foot. There are some specialists who can do it for less, and some that will provide more extensive services at higher costs. For example, you might be charged extra for removing the furniture from your home. Furthermore, you could incur extra costs associated with building a new subfloor, replacing existing joists, or disposing of your old flooring.
If you want to keep the installation costs as low as possible, you should consider moving the furniture yourself. Also, if you are capable, you should do some of the removal yourself. That will speed up the process as well as save you some money.
Engineered Hardwood Costs
The costs previously stated are typically those for solid hardwood and solid hardwood installation. The prices for engineered hardwood will fluctuate more than solid hardwood. Typically, it is less expensive to buy engineered hardwood. However, there is also more fluctuation in installation costs. Depending on the type of engineered product you choose, installing could be more or less than what it could cost to install solid hardwood.
The best way to know for sure is to measure your flooring and then talk with a specialist. The expert will be able to advise you on different amounts of money for different products and services. An inspection might also be necessary to determine the state of your subfloor.