If there’s one flooring material that never really lost its charm, elegance, and timelessness over the past centuries, it is undoubtedly hardwood. In fact, come 2025 and the highest end interior spaces have all got a hardwood floor.
Meaning if hardwood strikes you as the first choice while building a new home or renovating your interiors, don’t be surprised.
But like great things, hardwood also comes at a price, which calls for a great deal of planning and budgeting.
But how much does hardwood flooring cost?
This is one question I am often asked as a general contractor on Long Island. And I am sure you have the same query.
So, continue reading as I’ve compiled everything from average cost for hardwood floors to installation labor charge to location specific costs, and more.
How much does hardwood flooring cost exactly?
First thing first, let me address the elephant in the room, i.e, the total price for wood flooring that you can expect to pay in New York.
You see, the average hardwood floor price per square foot can range anywhere between $6 to $18 as per the latest market figures. Herein, the exact cost per square footage will depend on the type of hardwood you choose.
For instance, let’s say you go for solid hardwood flooring in the entire carpet area of your home. In this case, you can expect the cost to be somewhere in the middle of above average.
However, it isn’t just the material cost that counts since you’ve to also factor in installation labor. And the cost of this can range between $3 and $9 per square footage depending on where you’re exactly located.
Now, I am sure you’d find this cost average confusing. So let me explain it to you with an example of a New York home.
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Here’s the total 1000 square feet wood floor cost in New York:
A total carpet area of 1000 square feet is typical for New York homes. And although the exact size might differ in your case, I’ve taken this as an average to give you an idea about how much you can expect to pay.
So, let’s say you own a 1000 square feet home in an area like Brooklyn and want to renovate the flooring with maple wood.
Now, maple hardwood floors cost per sq ft can be up to $12. Also, you can add another $5 per square feet for installation labor, plus other miscellaneous expenses.
As such, the total cost of hardwood flooring will go up to $19,500.
Here’s a detailed cost breakdown for better understanding:
- Materials: 1000 sq. ft. × $12 = $12,000
- Installation: 1000 sq. ft. × $5 = $5,000
- Subfloor Prep: $2,000
- Miscellaneous (delivery, permits, etc.): $500
Total: $19,500
You might want to read this: How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Small Bathroom
What determines the price for wood flooring?
So far, you’ve got an idea about how much does hardwood flooring cost for New York homes.
But what are the factors that decide this cost and how could they throw up a completely different cost average for you. This is something you should be aware of to be able to have a realistic expectation about the total price for wood flooring.
So, let me break them all down for you in detail:
1. Type of hardwood you install
Obvious as it seems, flooring material is the most important factor that determines the total cost. And to that end, how much you pay between the $6 and $18 cost average will depend on the type of hardwood itself.
I’ve detailed the average cost of each hardwood type, and here’s how it looks like:
- Oak: This is the most popular and affordable hardwood type and will cost you in the range of $6 to $10 per square feet.
- Maple: Yet another popular option is maple wood which falls in the mid-range and costs between $8 and $12 per square feet.
- Walnut: Although not so common, walnut is a premium option home owners usually go for. And the same can cost you between $10 and $15 per square feet.
- Cherry: Lastly, there are exotic hardwood options like cherry that start from $18 per square feet but can go upward of $30.
2. Whether you install solid or engineered hardwood
When we talk about wood flooring options it’s worth knowing that there are two woods namely solid and engineered. And while solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood, engineered hardwood consists of multiple layers of wood.
Now, solid hardwood is usually more expensive compared to engineered wood planks given the exhaustive process of procurement and processing. As such, you can expect to pay in the range of $8 and $18.
At the same time, the cost of engineered wood is way lesser. So much so that the cost of engineered hardwood per square foot is only between $4 and $12.
3. How complex is the installation
Another factor that can eventually shoot up the cost of hardwood flooring is the complexity of your project.
For instance, if yours is a straightforward project involving a plain layout, it won’t lead to any additional expense.
But I can’t say the same for complexities such as old flooring removal, subfloor leveling, underlying moisture intrusion, etc. That’s because such issues can cost you an extra $1 to $5 for every square foot.
4. Your exact location
Which part of the state you’re located in will play a significant role in how much you pay for installation labor.
For instance, the average state-wide labor cost of flooring installation is between $2 and $5 per square feet.
Now, as I said earlier, the labor charges in areas like Brooklyn is about $5 a square foot. But this can get as high as $8-$10 in areas like Manhattan.
5. Custom flooring finishes
A lot of my clients go for custom finishes or stains for a more individualized feel. And if you’re someone who wants the same, it might cost you extra.
To that end, you can expect to pay an additional $1 to $3 per square feet.
How to calculate the cost of hardwood flooring?
I am often asked by homeowners if there was any way they could calculate the cost to replace carpet with hardwood, or any other existing flooring material. In fact, I am sure you might well have wondered about the same.
Now, there is no sure shot way to make a precise prediction about how much you will spend.
But that said, you can always estimate an average that you might spend. And here’s how you can do that:
1. Start off by measuring your space
The first thing you want to do is measure the length and width of your carpet area or indoor space. Thereafter, you can multiply these numbers to get the total square footage.
Also, it is important you factor in about 10–15% extra material wastage as a result of cuts and errors.
2. Assess the cost of material
Having figured out the square footage, you can now multiply it by the total cost for wood floors 1000 sq ft.
For instance, If you go for oak at $8/sq. Ft. and your total area (plus 15% waste) is 330 square feet, your total material cost will be:
330 sq. ft. × $8 = $2,640
3. Determine labor cost
As I said earlier, the cost of installation labor in New York typically ranges from $2 and $5 per square foot. However, factors like stairs, odd angles, or prep work can push this cost higher.
So, let’s say your labor cost is at $6 per square footage. In this case, the total cost of installation will be:
300 sq. ft. × $6 = $1,800
4. Identity add-on expenses
Apart from the above expenses, it is also essential to account for add-on costs which could include:
- Subfloor prep: $1–$3/sq. ft.
- Removal of old flooring: $0.50–$3/sq. ft.
- Moisture barriers or underlayment: $0.50–$2/sq. Ft.
You might also want to read – How To Remodel Manufactured Home From Start To Finish?
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How much does hardwood flooring cost in NYC?
The total cost of hardwood flooring in NYC will depend on your location, total area, material, installation cost, and more.
However, to give you a rough idea, you can expect the cost for wood floors 1000 sq ft to be between $9,000 and $15,000. And this is similar to the cost of remodeling a small mobile home in NY.
2. Is solid hardwood worth the higher price?
Although solid hardwood is on the higher price end, engineered wood can be more weather resistant comparatively.
At the same time, solid hardwood is more durable and allows for custom finishes.
So, whether or not solid hardwood is worth the price will depend on your priorities.
3. Can you DIY hardwood floors to save on labor costs?
DIY installation can save you $3 – $8 per square feet in installation labor. Nevertheless, I suggest you don’t do that unless you’re a flooring expert.
You see, flooring installation is a labor-intensive task and requires specialized skills and tools. And improper installation can lead you to making costly mistakes.
Step Into Style with Stunning Hardwood Floors
Get expert advice and flawless installation for hardwood flooring that’s stylish, long-lasting, and perfect for your home.
To sum up
By now, you know in detail how much does hardwood flooring cost in New York. Also, I am confident you can use the above approaches and calculations to estimate how much it will cost you.
Need a precise quote for your hardwood flooring project?
You can get in touch with us!
At Creative Design Ceramic and Tile, we are seasoned flooring installation experts with over two decades of expertise under our belt. And we’ve got all your flooring material and installation requirements covered on a budget.