A 700 sq ft hardwood floor typically costs $4,900-$12,600 for new flooring and professional installation, with an average near $8,400. Wood species, solid versus engineered boards, labor rates, old-floor removal, and subfloor repairs are the main price drivers.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed hardwood | $4,900 | $8,400 | $12,600 | $7-$18 per sq ft; standard installation |
| Flooring material | $1,400 | $3,500 | $7,000 | $2-$10 per sq ft, before waste |
| Old-floor removal | $350 | $875 | $1,750 | $0.50-$2.50 per sq ft |
| Refinishing existing hardwood | $2,100 | $3,850 | $5,600 | $3-$8 per sq ft, if boards are suitable |
Assumptions: 700 sq ft of accessible floor, midrange materials, ordinary room shapes, and typical U.S. contractor pricing. Estimates vary by location and project scope.
What 700 Square Feet of Hardwood Typically Costs
For a straightforward installation over a sound, prepared subfloor, homeowners commonly pay $7-$18 per sq ft, or $4,900-$12,600 for 700 sq ft. A practical planning figure is about $12 per sq ft, equal to $8,400. The lower end usually means a budget engineered product or basic domestic oak with uncomplicated installation; premium species, wider boards, and complex layouts move the quote upward.
Budget around $8,400 for a typical midrange project, then add separate allowances for removal and repairs. Some estimates include only flooring and installation, while others include underlayment, trim, waste, and disposal. A quote should state whether its per-square-foot rate covers those items and whether tax is included.
Contractors often order 5%-10% more flooring than the measured area to account for cuts, defects, and future repair stock. For 700 sq ft, that means roughly 735-770 sq ft of material. The extra boards increase the material bill, but the labor area generally remains close to 700 sq ft unless closets, stairs, or additional rooms are included.
How Materials, Installation, and Removal Shape the Quote
The total combines flooring, installation labor, preparation, and any removal or finishing work. The ranges below show common charges for a 700 sq ft job; individual quotes can place some tasks in a combined installation rate. Confirm inclusions before comparing totals, because a low installation price may exclude preparation or trim.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood material | $1,400 | $3,500 | $7,000 | $2-$10 per sq ft, plus 5%-10% waste |
| Installation labor | $2,100 | $3,850 | $5,600 | $3-$8 per sq ft |
| Old-floor removal and disposal | $350 | $875 | $1,750 | $0.50-$2.50 per sq ft |
| Subfloor preparation | $350 | $1,050 | $2,100 | $0.50-$3 per sq ft, depending on repairs |
| Trim, transitions, and accessories | $200 | $600 | $1,200 | About $200-$1,200 per project |
These line items are not necessarily additive at every price point. For example, an installer may quote $10-$16 per sq ft for material and installation together, then charge separately for removing carpet or fixing damaged plywood. Existing baseboards that can be reused may reduce trim charges; new baseboards, door undercuts, or several room transitions can raise them.
Labor estimate formula: A common crew rate works out to roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour, but contractors often price flooring by the square foot rather than disclose hourly billing.
Which Wood Species and Board Width Change the Price
Material choice can make the largest difference in the 700 sq ft estimate. Common domestic oak, maple, or hickory often costs about $4-$9 per sq ft for the boards, while select grades and premium domestic species can run $7-$12. Imported species and specialty finishes may reach $10-$20 per sq ft before installation. Product availability and finish can shift those ranges.
Engineered hardwood generally costs $3-$10 per sq ft for material and can suit locations where a plywood or concrete subfloor makes solid hardwood less practical. Solid hardwood often runs $5-$12 per sq ft for material and may be refinished multiple times, depending on its thickness. Installed, a common engineered floor might total $6-$15 per sq ft, while solid hardwood often lands around $8-$18.
At 700 sq ft, a $3-per-square-foot material upgrade adds about $2,100 before extra waste. Wider planks, hand-scraped surfaces, unusual colors, and longer boards can also cost more than standard 2¼- to 3¼-inch strips. Ask for the exact species, grade, thickness, finish, and product name in the estimate; “oak flooring” alone does not identify a comparable product.
How Subfloor Repairs and Layout Add to 700-Square-Foot Jobs
A flat, dry, secure subfloor supports a predictable installation price. Minor leveling may cost $0.50-$3 per sq ft, or about $350-$2,100 across 700 sq ft, but spot repairs are often priced by location and material. Replacing damaged plywood can add around $3-$8 per sq ft of affected area, excluding unusually extensive structural work.
Room shape matters as well. A broad, open rectangle is generally faster to install than multiple small rooms with closets, angled walls, or narrow hallways. Diagonal patterns, borders, intricate transitions, and stair nosings require more cutting and fitting; these details can add roughly 10%-30% to labor on the affected work. Moisture testing or acclimation requirements may also affect scheduling and preparation.
Get a written allowance for hidden damage rather than treating the initial floor measurement as a guaranteed total. For example, a contractor may quote a set rate for ordinary patching but require approval before replacing extensive subflooring. The quote should identify the condition that triggers extra charges and the price per sheet, square foot, or labor hour.
Where U.S. Labor Rates Push the Hardwood Quote
Labor and overhead vary by market. Large coastal cities and other high-cost metros can price 15%-30% above a national midrange estimate, while many smaller cities and rural areas may come in 5%-20% below it. These are planning differences, not fixed regional tariffs: installer availability, local demand, building access, and travel distance can outweigh the state average.
For a $8,400 midpoint, a 15%-30% metro premium would put a comparable job near $9,660-$10,920. A market 5%-20% below that midpoint would imply about $6,720-$7,980, assuming equivalent products and scope. Compare local bids with the same flooring specification and included tasks, not with an online national average alone.
Urban buildings may add parking, elevator reservations, delivery restrictions, or protection requirements. Rural locations can incur travel or delivery charges when a crew must drive far or materials are not locally stocked. Ask whether the contractor includes furniture moving, floor protection, and debris hauling, since those services can be billed separately.
How Long Installation Takes and What Crews Charge
A professional crew may install 700 sq ft of prefinished hardwood in about 2-4 working days when rooms are empty and the subfloor is ready. Site-finished solid flooring generally takes longer: installation, sanding, staining, coating, and drying may occupy 5-8 working days, with additional time before rugs or furniture can return. Multiroom layouts or repairs can extend either schedule.
Installers may charge $3-$8 per sq ft for straightforward labor, with a common midpoint around $5.50, or about $3,850 for 700 sq ft. A day rate or hourly rate can appear on smaller repair work, but minimum charges of roughly $150-$400 are common for service visits. Ask how the crew handles floor acclimation, finish drying, and return visits before setting a move-in date.
Furniture removal is not always included. Moving ordinary furniture may add $100-$500 depending on the number of rooms, stairs, and whether belongings need storage. Moving heavy appliances or disconnecting fixtures may require separate trades and charges. Keeping the rooms clear before installation can avoid some labor, provided the contractor confirms that no paid moving service is already included.
Can Refinishing Existing Floors Beat New Hardwood Pricing?
If the 700 sq ft already has solid hardwood in serviceable condition, sanding and refinishing may cost $3-$8 per sq ft, or $2,100-$5,600. A straightforward recoating without full sanding can sometimes cost less, around $1-$3 per sq ft, but it only works when the existing finish and floor condition permit it. Deep scratches, water damage, loose boards, or thin wear layers can rule out the cheaper option.
Replacing the floor is more appropriate when boards are badly damaged, the existing surface is not hardwood, or the homeowner wants a different floor height or construction. New engineered flooring can offer a lower installed price than many solid hardwood options, while solid hardwood may allow more future refinishing. Have the floor assessed before choosing replacement; refinishing can save thousands when the boards have enough usable thickness.
Refinishing creates dust and odor concerns, and rooms must remain unused while coatings cure. Some contractors use dust-containment equipment, which may affect the estimate. Confirm whether the bid includes stain, the number of finish coats, board repairs, and disposal of sanding debris; those specifications make refinishing quotes more comparable.
Three 700-Square-Foot Quotes With Different Scope
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total, rather than setting a universal price. Each assumes ordinary access and excludes major structural repairs, sales tax, and unusual disposal requirements. The cheapest estimate is meaningful only when product quality and included work match.
| Project example | Materials | Labor and other work | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget engineered, prefinished | 735 sq ft × $4 = $2,940 | 700 sq ft × $4 labor = $2,800; trim and preparation $450 | $6,190 |
| Midrange oak, solid, prefinished | 750 sq ft × $7 = $5,250 | 700 sq ft × $5.50 labor = $3,850; removal and disposal $700; trim $500 | $10,300 |
| Premium site-finished solid hardwood | 770 sq ft × $10 = $7,700 | 700 sq ft × $7 labor and finishing = $4,900; removal and prep $1,500; trim $700 | $14,800 |
The first example assumes a simple layout and a prepared subfloor. The midrange estimate includes removal of an existing floor but only modest preparation. The premium quote includes higher-grade boards and more involved finishing; its total could rise further if extensive leveling, replacement of damaged plywood, or complicated room transitions are needed.
Which Choices Lower a 700-Square-Foot Hardwood Bill?
Choose a common species and finish, and compare standard board widths before paying for a specialty look. A $2-per-square-foot reduction in material price saves about $1,400 on 700 sq ft, or more if the ordered waste allowance is included. Prefinished boards can also reduce on-site sanding and coating work, though the best option depends on the desired finish and the installer’s labor quote.
Keep the layout simple, clear the rooms yourself when practical, and avoid replacing trim that can be reused. Schedule material delivery and installation together where possible to limit extra handling or storage fees. Get at least three itemized quotes with the same product, measured floor area, waste allowance, removal scope, subfloor allowance, and finishing details.
Control the scope before accepting the lowest bid. A quote that excludes disposal, transitions, or floor preparation can become more expensive after work begins. Ask each contractor to state the unit price for added subfloor repairs and the process for approving changes. If the existing hardwood is repairable, compare a refinishing estimate with full replacement before committing to new boards.