Figuring out just how much your next floor installation is going to cost can be a challenge, especially if you’ve never installed flooring. The cost of hardwood flooring fluctuates and varies based on type, style, and demand.
To make matters slightly more complicated, there’s also the cost of labor and installation. Fortunately, this brief guide can help you prepare your budget for new wood flooring, ensuring that you enjoy your new floors as much as your savings.
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Determining the Cost of Wood Floor Installation
If you’re interested in figuring out how much your hardwood installation is going to cost, you’ll want to invest in a sturdy tape measurer or measuring tool. Before you can begin to think about installation costs, you need to know your space.
Of course, measuring alone won’t help you come to the final figure, but it is an essential place to start. To get the best estimate of your potential flooring costs, you’ll need the following tools:
- A tape measurer
- A piece of paper and a pen or pencil
- An electronic device with internet access
- A calculator
Once you’ve gathered the above supplies, you can move forward with your calculations.
Measure Your Space
Be sure to have your tape measurer handy as you measure the various walls of the room you’re planning on re-flooring. You might choose to use your paper and pencil to sketch out a rough blueprint of the room.
This way, you can write down your measurements on their corresponding line drawings. Visual learners, in particular, might benefit from this method of recording information. Still, as long as you write down your measurements, you’re doing well.
Once you’ve measured all of the walls of your room, you can perform a calculation to determine its area. It’s crucial to determine the full surface area you’re intending to cover, so have your data handy.
The basic formula for determining a space’s square footage is length x width, but abnormally-shaped rooms call for a little extra geometric evaluation and mathematical analysis.
A square footage calculator may come in handy and help you arrive at a rough estimate of your room’s square footage. It’s always wise to round up a little, as you never know when you’ll need a few spare planks.
Choose a Hardwood Option
Now you’ll need to browse for a hardwood option that suits your budgets, preferences, and style. There are tons of different hardwood flooring options available, so you may want to give yourself several days before coming to a decision.
In general, oak and maple flooring are lauded as long-lasting hardwood options. But for this looking for a slightly more eco-friendly alternative, there’s always bamboo (or the slightly springier cork).
Still, for those looking to lovingly enrich a house full of hardwood boards, a cherry or oak wood is bound to age well and hold up to heavy spills, especially when oiled. You should be able to view your preferred hardwood’s price per square footage.
Once you have your favorite flooring’s price per square footage, you can simply multiply it by your room’s square footage and arrive at a base flooring cost. But after that, you’ll need to consider labor and supply costs.
Factor in Labor and Supplies
If you’re planning on installing your new hardwood without outside help, you’ll only need to account for your supplies. Still, depending on the size of the job and the type of planks chosen, you may need a pneumatic nail gun, a pry bar, and a table saw.
That’s only a small portion of the total shopping list you’ll need to fulfill to get this job done alone. It’s often far more straightforward and stress-free to simply entrust your flooring installation to a group of experienced professionals.
You’ll be able to discuss price and get a quote before agreeing to any services. Who knows, with all of the frustration you save, you might even want to take the installation day off and go visit the beach or a local park.
Most homeowners can expect to pay between $3 and $5 per square foot for hardwood installation. That might not be an immediate or dramatic difference in cost from trying to do it yourself, but the peace of mind is priceless.
How Much Does it Cost to Install Hardwood Floors?
You should have a pretty good idea of how much hardwood flooring installation will cost. However, before you begin to purchase planks and hire flooring technicians, you might want to take a moment to consider some factors.
The overall and eventual cost to install hardwood floors depends on three crucial aspects. They are:
- Size
- Hardwood Type
- Installation Method
If you’re hoping to re-floor a single room, you’re not going to spend as much as someone who is placing hardwood down throughout their entire home. Size is one of the most influential factors when considering flooring of any kind.
Some types of hardwood are pricier than others, and hardwood types can also raise or lower a particular board’s value. Also, some homeowners may have a strong inclination for a specific type of hardwood, limiting the budgetary range.
Choosing to install without outside assistance is a little risky and fantastically time-consuming. But if done correctly, it can be a rewarding experience. However, it isn’t likely to save much money when you account for necessary supplies and self labor.
Figure Out Your Hardwood Flooring Costs Today
Now that you know the basics of determining your flooring costs, and what factors influence those overall costs, you can make the best decision for you and your home. Of course, if you’re financially prepared, your budget will also benefit.
It’s important to understand how many square feet you need to fill and to choose a wood flooring option that is both affordable and aesthetically pleasing. It’s also crucial to factor-in supplies and labor costs before settling on a final flooring installation option.
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