How Much Does Hardwood Floor Installation Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Installing hardwood floors instantly upgrades the look and feel of your home while giving you a surface that can handle daily life—pets, kids, and all. Most projects run about $4,725, with typical totals landing between $2,469 and $7,034, depending on where you live, how much space you’re covering, and the wood you choose. Planning for the cost, hiring a pro, and keeping up with simple maintenance will help those new floors stay gorgeous for decades.

Hardwood Floor Installation Cost Factors

Beyond square footage, the finish you pick, any add‑ons, and what local pros charge all shape your final bill.

Square Footage

Square footage is a key factor in calculating the total cost of your hardwood flooring project. Installing hardwood floors costs between $6 and $25 per square foot.

Finish

What you choose to lay down matters: prefinished boards usually cost less because the factory has already done the sealing, saving you labor dollars. Unfinished planks need sanding and coating on‑site, which bumps up the price but lets you pick any stain you want. However, you may have fewer options for hardwood floor finishes.

On-site finishing is more costly but offers more options for finish color and quality. Polyurethane finish is a budget-friendly choice, while penetrating resin delivers a higher-quality finish. On-site finishing also lets you refinish your floors to refresh the look. Hardwood floor refinishing costs about $3 to $8 per square foot, but can be a good investment to preserve the look and longevity of your floors.

Installation Add-Ons

Don’t forget the extras that can sneak onto your invoice—ripping out old flooring, fixing the subfloor, or covering the stairs can all raise the total.

Existing flooring must be removed before hardwood installation can begin. If you’re swapping carpet for wood floors, the extra cost for carpet removal will be between $150 and $250 total (the hardwood removal cost of $2 to $4 per square foot remains unchanged).

If you’re replacing your floors due to water or mold damage, some parts of the subflooring may also need to be replaced. Joist repairs cost an extra $40 to $60 per square foot, while subfloor repairs can cost an additional $900 to $3,000.

Adding hardwood flooring to stairs increases the cost because more labor is required to ensure proper measurements and safety. Hardwood stairs cost an average of $75 to $200 per stair, with most homes requiring 10 to 20 stairs.

Labor

On average, labor costs for installing hardwood floors range from $3 to $6 per square foot. Labor costs vary depending on the type of hardwood floor. Engineered and prefinished designs are quicker and easier to install, while more complex designs like parquet command a higher price.

Live in a pricey metro such as New York? Plan on higher labor quotes. Remote rural homeowners can also see premiums if the crew has to rack up mileage to reach the jobsite.

Hardwood Floor Installation Cost by Material

Hardwood floor installation costs depend on flooring materials, with different types of hardwood flooring offering different price points, longevity, and aesthetics.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood provides an attractive appearance and durable quality. It combines layers of quality plywood and real wood for a sturdy, moisture-resistant design. On average, engineered hardwood floors cost between $5 to $20 per square foot, making it a cost-effective solution for hardwood flooring.

Prefinished Hardwood

Prefinished hardwood is a ready-to-install option complete with a protective finish. It’s slightly more affordable than installing solid hardwood since you don’t need to pay for on-site finishing. Prefinished hardwood flooring averages $5 to $15 per square foot.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood flooring typically ranges from $10 to $25 per square foot. Each piece is made from a single piece of solid wood, delivering a premium style with a longer lifespan. While in-home finishing adds a higher cost than engineered and prefinished flooring, you can refinish solid hardwood floors to keep them beautiful for years.

Faux Parquet

Faux parquet uses affordable materials like laminate or vinyl to replicate the intricate designs of traditional parquet flooring. These materials are durable and easy to maintain, making them popular for modern homes. Faux parquet flooring is quicker to install than parquet and offers a budget-friendly option at $5 to $15 per square foot.

Parquet

Parquet hardwood floors use small wood pieces to create a geometric design. Genuine parquet floors are unique, but the labor-intensive process makes them a more costly option at $15 to $45 per square foot.

Does Hardwood Floor Installation Increase Home Value?

A fresh hardwood floor almost always makes buyers look twice. Because wood is both stylish and durable, it can lift curb appeal and overall home value. The long life span also reassures future owners that they won’t be replacing floors anytime soon.

The increase in home value depends on the type of hardwood flooring installed, with solid hardwood and parquet delivering the highest return. When installing hardwood flooring, compare your long-term plans to the up-front costs. For example, spending extra on solid hardwood or parquet may be worth it if you want to boost home value. It’s important to protect your investment by caring for and refinishing your hardwood floors when required to keep them looking their best.

Budgeting for Installing Hardwood Floors

Professional tools and expertise are best for hardwood floor installation, but there’s plenty you can do to keep the project budget-friendly:

• Clear the room yourself—moving furniture out beforehand trims labor hours.

• Hunt for sales or contractor discounts before you buy planks to keep more cash in your pocket.

• Consider different wood types to fit your look and budget. Premium woods like teak and walnut are beautiful, but they come at a higher cost. More readily available types like pine and maple can still deliver beauty and longevity at a more accessible price point.

• If you’re planning to install or replace hardwood floors in multiple rooms, consider doing them all at once. Some pros and suppliers may offer discounts for bulk work.

• Contact multiple wood floor installation professionals in your area to compare quotes.

• Prolong the life of your hardwood floors with regular maintenance. Avoid excess water, clean regularly with a soft brush, and use floor pads on your furniture to protect your investment.

The wide variety of hardwood flooring offers plenty of options for different budgets. When making your selection, consider long-term and upfront costs. Balance maintenance and floor replacement costs with the initial price of installation and materials. Some options, like engineered wood, are more affordable in the short term, while solid hardwood may be the best fit if you’re looking for a long-lasting installation.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.