What Is the True Cost to Install Hardwood Floors?

What is the true cost to install hardwood floors? When you are trying to determine the true cost there are several things you need to look at. First of all you can head into any hardware store and ask the cost of their hardwood flooring material. You will get several different answers. Most of the time depending on the manufacturer, type of material you are using, and whether it is interlocking hardwood flooring you will find a cost per square foot of $5.00 to $15.00. As I said there are a lot of variables to look at even when you just go into a store. So what you really need to do is pick a couple of stores to go to, speak directly with a manufacturer that sells to anyone, and compare prices.

The hardwood flooring is just a small part of the overall cost of installing a hardwood floor. Depending upon the type of hardwood floor you purchase you may need glue or screws. Some hardwood flooring is secured to the floor only using glue to avoid the holes created by screws. Other flooring will require screws that will have to be filled in with matching putty. You will also need to have a urethane coating for the top of the flooring to protect it from spills and other accidents. Screws can be bought by the pound or by boxes. Most often you are looking at around $30.00 for the screws or even the special glue. Putty is usually around $4.00 to $6.00. The finishing coat is again going to be around $30.00 to $60.00 depending on the size of your floor. When you are installing the floor yourself you will also need to have sanding material before the final coating can be applied, which can increase the cost of the hardwood floor.

When you choose to use the tongue and groove hardwood flooring you are looking at a minimal cost for the actual flooring. The best thing about the tongue and groove is that it is already finished and you don’t need to use screws to secure the floor. This will be one of your cheaper options if you have a budget.

You will also want to consider the cost of labor if you are not doing the floor yourself. Labor costs can very from company to company. The material will remain the same as long as you make the contractor aware of the type of material you wish to use. You can also ask that they all use the same manufacturer for the quote. Labor is going to be based on the number of hours it will take to complete the installation and the experience of the contractor you choose. Current hourly rates for contractors at the moment are between $30.00 and $45.00. Keep in mind that contractors do vary depending on location. They also include any overhead in those prices such as the insurance it costs them to do the work.

All told to figure the cost of installation you need to know the square footage of the area you are using hardwood flooring on, you need to choose the manufacturer you will use to determine the cost, and then you will need to decide whether this is going to be self installation to lower your costs.