Hardwood flooring costs about $6 to $25 per square foot installed in 2026, and most homeowners pay about $10 to $16. The wood itself runs roughly $4 to $12 per square foot for solid hardwood, and labor adds about $3 to $8. For a 500 square foot area, expect a total in the range of about $3,500 to $10,000, with species, plank width and subfloor condition moving the price.
Hardwood flooring cost at a glance
| What you are buying | Typical cost per sq ft (2026 estimates) |
|---|---|
| Solid hardwood, material only | $4 to $12 |
| Installation labor | $3 to $8 |
| Solid hardwood, installed | About $6 to $25, most homes about $10 to $16 |
| Exotic species, installed | About $13 to $30 |
| Sanding and refinishing an existing floor | Roughly $2,000 to $7,000 per project |
Sources disagree, and many come from sellers and contractors, so use these as planning numbers and get written local quotes.
How much does hardwood flooring cost per square foot?
Material runs about $4 to $12 per square foot for solid hardwood, and exotic species often cost more, around $8 to $12 or higher for the wood alone. Installation labor adds about $3 to $8 per square foot. Together, the installed price commonly lands at about $6 to $25, with the middle of the market at roughly $10 to $16.
Labor is a big share of the total, often a third to half or more, depending on the source and the job. A simple rectangular room is cheaper to lay than a room with stairs, curves or a pattern.
Is engineered hardwood cheaper than solid?
Not always. Some guides put installed solid hardwood at about $5 to $10 per square foot and engineered at about $4 to $9, while others put professional engineered installs higher at about $8 to $18. The two overlap a lot, and the price depends more on the species, the veneer thickness and the brand than on the type.
| Solid hardwood | Engineered hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (one guide) | About $5 to $10 per sq ft | About $4 to $9 per sq ft |
| Installed cost (other guides) | About $6 to $25 per sq ft | About $8 to $18 per sq ft |
| Refinishing | Many times | Depends on the veneer |
| Best over | Wood subfloors | Slabs, radiant heat, some basements |
How much does it cost to install hardwood floors by room size?
A small room costs a few thousand dollars, and a whole home costs tens of thousands. The totals below mix material and labor and assume a straightforward job.
| Project | Typical installed total |
|---|---|
| 200 sq ft bedroom | About $2,000 to $3,200 |
| 500 sq ft | About $3,500 to $10,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | About $7,000 to $16,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft whole home | About $14,700 to $44,000 |
These are rough estimates. The 1,000 square foot line applies the common $7 to $16 per square foot range, and prices vary by region.
What affects the cost of hardwood flooring?
Species, plank size, pattern, subfloor condition and your location move the price most. Oak is usually the cheapest common choice, and exotic species can cost two to three times as much. Wider and longer boards cost more, and complex patterns cost much more to lay.
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Species | Oak is usually cheapest, and exotic woods can cost two to three times more |
| Plank width | Wider boards often cost about 10 to 20% more |
| Board length | Longer boards can add about 10 to 15% |
| Pattern | Herringbone and similar layouts can add about 50 to 100% to labor |
| Subfloor condition | Repairs can add about $2 to $5 per sq ft |
| Region | Labor rates vary widely |
| Grade | Cleaner, more uniform grades cost more |
What costs extra on top of the wood?
Plan for removal of the old floor, subfloor repair, underlayment, finish, trim and extra boards. A quote that lists only the wood and the labor can end up well short of the real total. Ask what is and is not included.
How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?
Refinishing usually costs less than replacing. Sanding and refinishing a typical home project runs about $2,000 to $7,000, and one guide puts a 500 square foot sand-and-finish job at about $1,750 to $7,250, with $3,500 as an average. Refinishing is a good value if the boards are thick enough to be sanded and the damage is only on the surface.
How can you save money on hardwood flooring?
Choose a common species such as oak, narrower planks and a simple layout, and keep labor costs in check with a plain rectangular install. Buy the boards yourself only if your installer allows it, and compare at least three written quotes that list the same scope. Refinishing an existing floor is far cheaper than replacing it.
Is hardwood worth the cost?
Often, yes, for living areas and bedrooms where you want a floor that can last for decades and be refinished. It costs more than laminate or vinyl, so it pays off most where you plan to stay, and where a real wood floor adds to the home's appeal. In wet rooms and basements, a more water-tolerant floor is usually a better buy.
Quick answers to common questions
How much does hardwood flooring cost per square foot installed?
About $6 to $25, with most homeowners paying about $10 to $16, by 2026 estimates.
How much does it cost to install hardwood floors in a 500 square foot room?
About $3,500 to $10,000, depending on the species, pattern and subfloor.
Is engineered hardwood cheaper than solid hardwood?
Sometimes. The ranges overlap, and species and brand matter more than the type.
How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?
Often about $2,000 to $7,000 for a typical home project, which is much less than replacing the floor.
Which hardwood is cheapest?
Oak is usually the cheapest common choice, and exotic species can cost two to three times as much.
Keep reading: engineered hardwood, typical flooring installation fees and the best types of flooring for homes.
So, how much should you budget for hardwood flooring?
Budget about $10 to $16 per square foot installed for a typical solid hardwood floor, and plan extra for subfloor repair, removal and trim. Get three written quotes with the same scope, ask about the species and plank width, and keep a buffer of about 10% for surprises.
