Installing hardwood in a 1,000 sq ft space costs $4,500–$11,000 in 2026. Refinishing existing hardwood costs a fraction of that — check what's under your carpet first.
Solid oak: $8–$15/sq ft installed. Engineered hardwood: $7–$13. Luxury vinyl plank (the look-alike): $4–$8. Exotic species (walnut, hickory, Brazilian cherry): $12–$22. Installation labor alone runs $3–$6/sq ft for nail-down, more for glue-down over concrete.
Sanding and refinishing existing hardwood costs $3–$5 per sq ft — often a quarter of replacement cost. Solid hardwood can be refinished 4–6 times over its life. Homes built before the 1980s frequently hide solid oak under carpet; pull a corner back in a closet and check.
Budget a 10% contingency for subfloor repair — squeaks, moisture damage, and unlevel concrete are discovered after tear-out. Moisture testing matters over concrete slabs: engineered or glue-down products handle slab moisture far better than solid nail-down.
A complete quote itemizes: tear-out and disposal, subfloor prep, material with brand/grade, underlayment, installation, transitions and shoe molding, and furniture moving. Missing line items become change orders later. Compare itemized bids side-by-side on ConstructHelp before committing.
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Solid oak installed (per sq ft) | $8 | $15 |
| Engineered hardwood (per sq ft) | $7 | $13 |
| Refinish existing (per sq ft) | $3 | $5 |
| Tear-out & disposal (per sq ft) | $1 | $3 |
| Subfloor repair (per sq ft affected) | $2 | $7 |
| Stair treads (per step) | $100 | $250 |
1,000 sq ft takes 2–4 days for install. Site-finished floors add 3–5 days for sanding, staining, and curing.
Prefinished installs faster with no fumes and tougher factory coatings. Site-finished gives a seamless custom look and custom stains.
Yes — it's common. Wipe spills promptly and use satin polyurethane. For full water resistance, engineered or LVP is safer.
Light traffic in socks after 24–48 hours; furniture after 4 days; rugs after 2 weeks (oil-based poly needs the full cure).
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