The average cost to replace hardwood floors in your home is $6 to $25 per square foot, including labor. Hardwood floor installation typically costs between $2,500 and $7,000 in total, according to Angi, a home improvement website.
Your final bill will depend on the square footage of the floor you’re replacing, the type of hardwood flooring you choose, and the species, grade and thickness of the wood. Add-ons during installation can add to the cost, such as if your floor joists are damaged or if your contractor needs to remove existing flooring and furniture.
Here’s what to know about the cost of different types of hardwood flooring, plus whether you can save by just refinishing instead of replacing your floors.
Cost per square foot to replace hardwood floors
On average in the U.S., hardwood flooring costs $6 to $12 per square foot, though non-native wood species or wide planks can drive up the cost to $13 to $25 per square foot. These are typical cost ranges for hardwood floor installation by a room’s square footage.
| Square footage | Average cost range |
|---|---|
| 100 | $600 to $2,500. |
| 200 | $1,200 to $5,000. |
| 500 | $3,000 to $12,500. |
| 1,000 | $6,000 to $25,000. |
| 2,000 | $12,000 to $50,000. |
Hardwood floor cost by wood species
Different species of wood have a variety of lifespans, durability and other helpful features. The right material for your floors depends on your aesthetic preferences and budget. Native wood species tend to be more affordable.
| Species | Average cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Maple | $4 to $15. | Highly durable with a very light grain. Works well for high-traffic areas. |
| Red oak | $5 to $11. | The most common wood flooring option. Warm-toned with a long lifespan. |
| White oak | $5 to $12. | Harder wood can work indoors or outdoors. Color can vary between boards. |
| Hickory | $6 to $14. | Dense and durable for high-traffic areas, and retains a stain well. |
| White ash | $6 to $14. | Absorbs sound well. Similar appearance to white oak, but with more bold graining. |
| Cherry (American or Brazilian) | $7 to $13. | Softer wood, but more striking appearance and color variation. Better for lower-traffic areas. |
| Brazilian walnut | $9 to $15. | Very durable in high-traffic areas. American walnut is softer and may dent. |
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Hardwood floor cost by wood grade
In addition to species, hardwood flooring can be categorized by its grade, which is a standard that refers to the number of imperfections such as knots, streaks and wormholes in the wood. Grade can tell you about the appearance and character of the wood, but it doesn’t determine the wood’s hardness or quality.
“Common Grade” wood comes in three varieties and cost about $6 to $18 per square foot:
- Cabin or #3 Common Grade wood looks rustic, with visible imperfections and a lot of variety in color between boards.
- Character or #2 Common Grade has some imperfections and a more natural look.
- Natural or #1 Common Grade may have some color variations, but doesn’t look rustic.
“Clear and Select Grade” wood, also called Firsts and Seconds (FAS), costs $8 to $23 per square foot:
- Carpet installation labor by a professional typically costs around $50 to $100 per hour, according to home improvement website HomeWyse. Carpet installation takes about one to two hours for a single room, and can take four hours or more for several rooms.
- Existing carpet removal costs $1 to $5 per square foot on average. If flooring needs to be removed as well, that can cost another $1 to $3 per square foot.
- Subfloor preparation can cost $3 to $10 per square foot. This may be necessary if your existing flooring is old or damaged.
- Padding or underlayment costs $0.75 to $2 per square foot. It can be helpful to preserve the lifespan of your carpet.
- Custom-cut carpets, including those for stairs, can cost an extra $1 to $2 per square foot.
Hardwood floor cost by wood thickness
These are the most common thicknesses for hardwood flooring, the average cost per square foot before labor and where they work best. Thinner boards cost less, but they aren’t as durable and can’t be sanded down and refinished as many times.
| Wood thickness | Average cost per square foot | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8 inch | $3 to $8. | Very low-traffic areas. |
| 5/8 inch | $4 to $10. | Light traffic areas like guest rooms. |
| 1/2 inch | $4 to $13. | Medium-traffic areas like bedrooms. |
| 3/4 inch | $5 to $16. | High-traffic areas like hallways. |
Additional hardwood flooring installation costs
- Professional labor to install hardwood floors costs $3 to $6 per square foot on average. Wider planks may cost less to install, and complex layouts will cost more.
- Hardwood plank width is typically up to 5 inches, but wider planks can cost more, from $4.50 to $18 per square foot. However, you’ll need fewer of them to cover your floor.
- Harder woods, such as white oak and Brazilian walnut, are harder to install, and can therefore take longer to replace and increase labor costs.
- The way the wood is cut can affect the cost of your planks. Plain-sawn planks cost the least and have a wave pattern. Quarter-sawn planks and rift-sawn boards have a straighter grain pattern and cost more.
- Removing existing flooring will add to your labor cost. If the subfloor is water-damaged, rotted or moldy, expect to pay an additional $1,000 to $3,000 to repair them. Floor joists cost about $40 to $60 per square foot to repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cost to refinish vs. replace hardwood floors?
Refinishing your hardwood floors costs about $1,100 to $2,700 on average, while replacing your floors typically costs at least double that amount and often much more. More complex woods and more damaged floors are more expensive to refinish, but the majority of the cost is labor.
Hardwood floors can last 100 years when refinished properly, though keep in mind that engineered wood can only be refinished once or twice. If your floors are heavily dented or water-damaged, you may need to replace them.
Can I replace my hardwood flooring myself?
Hardwood floor installation is complex and challenging. It’s recommended to hire a professional wood floor installer who can protect against moisture, prepare the subfloor and measure correctly in tricky spaces.
If you’re very experienced with home improvement projects, it might be worth the savings to DIY your floors, but it’s best to start with engineered wood or click-and-lock tiles, which are more forgiving.
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