Hardwood flooring service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Engineered hardwood flooring installation costs $2,000 to $7,000 on average, with most homeowners spending $4,750 for your complete project.
The wood species and grade you select will determine your final flooring costs along with the plank thickness and width.
You should account for subfloor repairs, old flooring removal, and protective finishing coatings when creating your installation budget.
Hiring a local wood floor installing professional ensures your engineered hardwood is installed correctly and helps the property retain maximum value.
In 2026, the national average cost to install engineered hardwood flooring is $4,750. Most homeowners spend between $2,000 and $7,000, with the cost driven by the type and grade of wood, the size of the space, and local labor rates. Budget $7 to $20 per square foot, fully installed, for this flooring project.
Installing engineered hardwood costs $7 to $20 per square foot, including materials and labor, making floor size the primary driver of your total project cost. Most homeowners replace flooring in one or two rooms, but whole-home installations cover significantly more square footage and push totals much higher.
Costs vary by room size and scope, as the table below shows:
| Room Type | Floor Size (Per Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry room | 50–100 | $350–$2,000 |
| Bathroom | 50–160 | $350–$3,200 |
| Bedroom | 100–300 | $700–$6,000 |
| Living room | 200–400 | $1,400–$8,000 |
| Whole house | 1,500–3,000 | $10,500–$60,000 |
Wood species is the primary material cost driver for engineered hardwood, with most options ranging from $3 to $16 per square foot for materials alone. Common, softer species like bamboo and heart pine sit at the lower end of that range, while harder or rarer woods command a premium.
The following table outlines average costs by the type of wood:
| Wood Type | Characteristics | Average Cost (Per Sq. Ft.) in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo | Budget-friendly, considered more eco-friendly, and resistant to pests like termites | $2–$6 |
| Heart pine | Budget-friendly, attractive, defined grain, softer and prone to denting, but still durable enough in high-traffic areas like a living room | $2–$5 |
| Red oak | Favored for high durability and distinctive color | $2–$6 |
| Acacia | Less likely to warp because it has a natural wax coating that repels water and pests and comes in various shades | $3–$8 |
| Maple | Popular for high-traffic areas like front entryways, living rooms, and hallways | $3–$10 |
| Cypress | Uncommon and termite-resistant | $4–$6 |
| White oak | Great for mud rooms or entryways because it's slightly more water-resistant than red oak and comes in a lighter color | $4–$7 |
| White ash | Cream to grayish-brown color, signature grain. softer than other hardwoods, it's easier to cut | $4–$8 |
| Cherry | Unique red-brown tone and one of the most durable options | $4–$10 |
| Mahogany | Costs more than other woods, rich tone | $6–$8 |
| Teak | Extremely durable and scratch-resistant, found in homes built in the 1950s–1970s | $9–$13 |
Engineered hardwood comes in three grades, ranging from $5 to $9 per square foot for basic up to $13 to $20 per square foot for high-end, and the grade you choose directly determines both your up-front cost and long-term durability.
Basic grade has three core layers with a thin veneer, making it the most affordable but least resilient option, while mid-grade at $6 to $12 per square foot offers a thicker core and veneer suited for households with children or pets.
The following table shows how wood grade plays a major role in the total cost:
| Wood Grade | Average Cost (Per Sq. Ft.) in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Basic | $5–$9 |
| Mid-grade | $6–$12 |
| High-end | $13–$20 |
Here are the differences between the wood grades:
Basic engineered wood: This is the least costly grade, and this type of hardwood is used for an average project. It has three core layers with a veneer that's 1/16–1/12 inch thick.
Mid-grade engineered wood: The core and veneer are thicker in this wood grade, making it one of the best types of flooring for people with children or pets because it better resists scratches.
High-end engineered wood: The core has seven or more layers, and the veneer is at least 1/6-inch thick, making it the most durable (and expensive) option.
Both the width of your wood floor plank and its thickness affect your total cost, with specialty planks 6 to 12 inches wide reaching $5 to $18 per square foot. Standard planks measuring 5 inches or less cost less upfront, though wider planks require fewer pieces to cover the same area, which can reduce labor time.
Thicker planks also carry a higher price and greater durability, and costs vary by thickness:
| Thickness (Inches) | Average Cost (Per Sq. Ft.) in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 5/16 | $2–$5 |
| 3/4 | $3–$10 |
| 7/8 | $5–$15 |
Once you choose the best type of flooring for your home, there will be a few additional installation costs.
Most flooring contractors charge $3 to $10 per square foot, though some bill at an hourly rate of $60 to $80 per hour, depending on the complexity of the installation. Labor typically accounts for about 50% of the total cost to install engineered hardwood flooring.
Costs for prepping for an engineered hardwood range from $150 to $3,000. Replacing an existing floor means budgeting for the removal of old flooring and any structural repairs before new engineered hardwood can be installed, and costs depend on the condition of your subfloor and joists.
The following table outlines the common prep costs by job type:
| Job to Prep Floor | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Carpet removal | $150–$250 |
| Floor removal | $200–$1,000 |
| Joist repair | $350–$1,000 per joist |
| Subfloor replacement | $900–$3,000 |
| Subfloor repairs | $2–$10 per sq. ft. |
Taking out old carpet is the simplest prep job, though whole-home carpet removal costs can top $700. Taking out old flooring, such as engineered hardwood or laminate, costs more for larger areas.
If your floor joists show signs of damage, mold, or pest infestation, they will need repairs before installation. The cost of floor joist repair adds up quickly when several joists are affected.
A damaged or sagging subfloor may need a partial repair or a full replacement before your engineered wood planks can go down. Repairing only the problem areas is the more affordable route, while replacement makes sense when the damage is widespread.
If your engineered hardwood planks did not come pre-finished, applying a protective coating is an important step that guards against scratches, dents, and water damage, and typically costs $2 to $7 per square foot.
Water damage can cause serious problems for flooring, such as warping, staining, and mold growth. If you suspect water damage is an issue, a flooring pro can diagnose the cause, make necessary repairs, and restore the integrity of your floor.
Routine maintenance for engineered wood floors is straightforward, with DIY repair kits costing $20 to $75, and mostly involves regular cleaning with common household products. Although engineered hardwood floors last 20 to 30 years, you should budget for occasional repairs as the floor wears over time, with costs depending on the type of repair needed.
Keep these maintenance costs in mind when taking care of your new floor:
DIY repair kit: $20–$75
Plank replacement: $7–$20 per sq. ft. (or contractor minimum)
Floor refinishing: $3–$8 per sq. ft.
Installing your own engineered hardwood flooring costs around 50% less than if you hired a pro, but that’s only if you do it correctly. Improperly installed planks are more likely to crack, buckle, bow, and warp over time. This can create a hazard in your home, and you can end up spending more to fix it than if you had hired a contractor in the first place.
Certain types of flooring (like click-and-lock planks) are easier to DIY as long as you have experience with these types of projects. Everything else, especially when you start getting into the joists and subfloor, is best left to a wood flooring contractor near you.
Whether you repair or replace hardwood flooring depends on the extent and the type of damage. The good thing about engineered hardwood is that you can replace individual planks or refinish the hardwood veneer to make it look brand new. This is the best option as long as your flooring isn’t near the end of its 20- to 30-year lifespan and doesn’t have significant issues like mold or warping.
However, there is a limit to how much you can refinish engineered wood floors. You can only refinish the top layer a couple of times before the veneer wears too thin. If your flooring has a particularly thin veneer or widespread damage, you may not be able to refinish it at all, and a replacement might be necessary.
The table below compares key factors to help you decide whether to repair or replace your engineered hardwood flooring in 2026:
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of repairs vs. new floor | Repair costs less than 30% of a replacement | Repair costs more than 50% of a replacement |
| Age of flooring | Less than 20 years old | More than 20 years old |
| Flooring condition | You can refinish the floor, and the underlying planks are in good condition | More than 50% of the floor has damage, or it can’t be refinished |
| Materials | You can replace damaged planks with matching planks | You can’t find planks that match the rest of your flooring |
| Water damage | Water damage is minor, and you can refinish the floor or replace single planks | Flooring is warped, bowed, sagging, or moldy |
Engineered hardwood floors come with a significant ROI. According to the National Association of Realtors®:
Installing new wood floors has a ROI of 118%
Refinishing hardwood floors has a ROI of 147%
That said, the value of engineered hardwood is dependent on the local market. If you live in a high-end area where most similar properties have natural hardwood flooring, your engineered hardwood won’t add as much value. If you live in an area where the houses have all kinds of flooring (think: luxury vinyl planking (LVP), laminate, and engineered hardwood), your engineered hardwood floors could retain a value similar to hardwood.
Engineered hardwood is an affordable alternative to natural hardwood flooring. Nonetheless, you can still shrink your budget with some careful planning. Use these tips to save:
Choose a mid-range plank: Durability is key, but you can lower costs by choosing a thinner veneer in a common wood species. Opt for a mid-grade wood that will last longer than the least expensive option, which may struggle to hold up in high-traffic areas.
Opt for wider planks: Narrow planks take more labor to install, raising costs. Opt for wider planks that your pro can install in less time. You can get ultra-wide planks that are more than 5 inches wide.
Do some of the work DIY: You may not be able to install your floor on your own, but there are some jobs you can do to cut down on professional labor. If you know how, you can remove your old flooring and take it to the dump and save on labor.
Search for a deal: Some contractors have deals with suppliers, so let them help you pick your floor. Big box stores also have sales, especially at certain times of the year.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Krumlauf FloorsTerrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
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Finished Basements Plus Inc.AFS was excellent from start to finish. Jess, the sales associate, was fantastic...very knowledgeable and very professional. The installation crew was excellent. I couldn't be more pleased with the process. Best of all, my new floor looks fantastic!
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