Cost to Replace Hardwood Floors in 2025

The average cost to replace hardwood floors in your home is $6 to $25 per square foot, including labor. Hardwood floor installation typically costs between $2,500 and $7,000 in total, according to Angi, a home improvement website.

Your final bill will depend on the square footage of the floor you’re replacing, the type of hardwood flooring you choose, and the species, grade and thickness of the wood. Add-ons during installation can add to the cost, such as if your floor joists are damaged or if your contractor needs to remove existing flooring and furniture.

Here’s what to know about the cost of different types of hardwood flooring, plus whether you can save by just refinishing instead of replacing your floors.

On average in the U.S., hardwood flooring costs $6 to $12 per square foot, though non-native wood species or wide planks can drive up the cost to $13 to $25 per square foot. These are typical cost ranges for hardwood floor installation by a room’s square footage.

Hardwood floor cost by wood species

Different species of wood have a variety of lifespans, durability and other helpful features. The right material for your floors depends on your aesthetic preferences and budget. Native wood species tend to be more affordable.

Highly durable with a very light grain. Works well for high-traffic areas.

The most common wood flooring option. Warm-toned with a long lifespan.

Harder wood can work indoors or outdoors. Color can vary between boards.

Dense and durable for high-traffic areas, and retains a stain well.

Absorbs sound well. Similar appearance to white oak, but with more bold graining.

Cherry (American or Brazilian)

Softer wood, but more striking appearance and color variation. Better for lower-traffic areas.

Very durable in high-traffic areas. American walnut is softer and may dent.

Hardwood floor cost by wood grade

In addition to species, hardwood flooring can be categorized by its grade, which is a standard that refers to the number of imperfections such as knots, streaks and wormholes in the wood. Grade can tell you about the appearance and character of the wood, but it doesn’t determine the wood’s hardness or quality.

“Common Grade” wood comes in three varieties and cost about $6 to $18 per square foot:

Cabin or #3 Common Grade wood looks rustic, with visible imperfections and a lot of variety in color between boards.

Character or #2 Common Grade has some imperfections and a more natural look.

Natural or #1 Common Grade may have some color variations, but doesn’t look rustic.

“Clear and Select Grade” wood, also called Firsts and Seconds (FAS), costs $8 to $23 per square foot:

Carpet installation labor by a professional typically costs around $50 to $100 per hour, according to home improvement website HomeWyse. Carpet installation takes about one to two hours for a single room, and can take four hours or more for several rooms.

Existing carpet removal costs $1 to $5 per square foot on average. If flooring needs to be removed as well, that can cost another $1 to $3 per square foot.

Subfloor preparation can cost $3 to $10 per square foot. This may be necessary if your existing flooring is old or damaged.

Padding or underlayment costs $0.75 to $2 per square foot. It can be helpful to preserve the lifespan of your carpet.

Custom-cut carpets, including those for stairs, can cost an extra $1 to $2 per square foot.

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These are the most common thicknesses for hardwood flooring, the average cost per square foot before labor and where they work best. Thinner boards cost less, but they aren’t as durable and can’t be sanded down and refinished as many times.

Average cost per square foot

Light traffic areas like guest rooms.

Medium-traffic areas like bedrooms.

High-traffic areas like hallways.

Additional hardwood flooring installation costs

Professional labor to install hardwood floors costs $3 to $6 per square foot on average. Wider planks may cost less to install, and complex layouts will cost more.

Hardwood plank width is typically up to 5 inches, but wider planks can cost more, from $4.50 to $18 per square foot. However, you’ll need fewer of them to cover your floor.

Harder woods, such as white oak and Brazilian walnut, are harder to install, and can therefore take longer to replace and increase labor costs.

The way the wood is cut can affect the cost of your planks. Plain-sawn planks cost the least and have a wave pattern. Quarter-sawn planks and rift-sawn boards have a straighter grain pattern and cost more.

Removing existing flooring will add to your labor cost. If the subfloor is water-damaged, rotted or moldy, expect to pay an additional $1,000 to $3,000 to repair them. Floor joists cost about $40 to $60 per square foot to repair.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the cost to refinish vs. replace hardwood floors?

Refinishing your hardwood floors costs about $1,100 to $2,700 on average, while replacing your floors typically costs at least double that amount and often much more. More complex woods and more damaged floors are more expensive to refinish, but the majority of the cost is labor.

Hardwood floors can last 100 years when refinished properly, though keep in mind that engineered wood can only be refinished once or twice. If your floors are heavily dented or water-damaged, you may need to replace them.

Can I replace my hardwood flooring myself?

Hardwood floor installation is complex and challenging. It’s recommended to hire a professional wood floor installer who can protect against moisture, prepare the subfloor and measure correctly in tricky spaces.

If you’re very experienced with home improvement projects, it might be worth the savings to DIY your floors, but it’s best to start with engineered wood or click-and-lock tiles, which are more forgiving.

Can I get financing for a home repair or improvement?

Your contractor may offer some financing options (either through a partner or a payment plan), but there are other — and maybe better — financing options available.

Home equity loan or HELOC

Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOC) may have lower interest rates than financing with an installer, as well as future opportunities for refinancing and possible tax benefits.

With a home equity loan, you receive a lump-sum payment and then pay it back at a fixed interest rate over an agreed period of time, typically five to 30 years. HELOCs are more akin to a credit card, something you use as needed. You’ll usually have 10 years to draw from the line of credit, during which time you only have to pay interest, and after that you pay both the principal and interest. HELOC interest rates typically are variable, meaning your monthly payment could rise or fall over time. And with each of these options, you’re using your home as collateral.

Many banks, credit unions and online lenders offer personal loans, with amounts typically from $1,000 to $100,000 and with fixed annual percentage rates. You receive a lump sum and repay it in equal monthly installments over a set period, typically two to seven years. Unlike with home equity financing, there is no collateral. This means your home isn’t at risk if you miss payments, but you’ll still have to pay late fees and the late payments can negatively impact your credit.

Credit cards are an option for lower cost repairs or renovations. That’s because credit cards typically charge higher interest rates than home equity loans, HELOCs and personal loans. When used responsibly, credit cards can come with great benefits, such as 0% introductory APR periods that allow you to avoid interest for a set number of months; rewards so you can earn cash back, travel or points; and sign-up bonuses that can give you some extra cash back or rewards for a larger purchase. If you go this route, you’ll want to make sure you pick one of the best credit cards for home improvements.

Which financing option is best for me?

The best financing option for you will depend on how much money you need, when you need the money, what project you’re doing and how long you need to pay the money back. If it’s something that’ll add value to your home, a HELOC or home equity loan may be your best option because the value of your house could increase by more than the amount of the loan.

On the flip side, if it’s a less expensive repair, a credit card is probably your best option if you want to pay no interest or earn rewards. Personal loans can apply to both small and large repairs or renovations, and they may make sense if you don’t have much equity in your home.

Some home improvement contractors offer their own financing options. Before taking this option, shop around and see how their offer compares with other loans.

Regardless of what you choose, make sure you compare interest rates, terms and fees with any financing options you’re considering. This will ensure you get the best deal.

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