The average hardwood floor installation price is $25 to $35 per square foot. That is the number to start with. Where your project lands in that range depends on what is under your old floor, what kind of wood you pick, the pattern, and the building you live in. NYC Floor Pro has served New York City since 2011, with over 30 years of hands-on flooring experience. Below is how we think about the price, with real Manhattan projects.
A quick way to ballpark it
- 500 square feet: about $12,500 to $17,500
- 1,000 square feet: about $25,000 to $35,000
- 1,500 square feet: about $37,500 to $52,500
These are averages for standard installations, not a quote, and herringbone floors are priced higher (see below). That price includes the wood and the prep, and it is typically for prefinished products. We confirm what is included in a written estimate after a site visit.
What moves the price
The subfloor Wood or concrete
Over a wood subfloor, we can nail down or glue and nail, once the subfloor is checked for level and squeaks. Over concrete, we level the slab, install soundproofing and glue the floor down. If a subfloor has to be replaced, as it did in an Upper West Side brownstone where squeaks were the problem, that is additional work. We check the subfloor before quoting, so the price reflects what is actually under your old floor.
Solid or engineered wood And the species
Solid and engineered hardwood are both possible, even over concrete. The wood you choose changes the material cost.
The pattern Straight plank, herringbone, chevron
Pattern floors take more care to lay than straight plank. Herringbone floors cost $45 to $55 per square foot, depending on the size of the project, the plank type and the wood species. See our herringbone and chevron page for real projects.
Demolition and soundproofing Taking the old floor out
Removing the old floor, leveling the slab and installing sound underlayment are part of many Manhattan jobs. Many buildings require a sound-control underlayment for the neighbors below.
Stain and finish Site-finished floors
Unfinished wood is sanded, stained and finished on site. Prefinished wood skips that step. We commonly use Bona Traffic HD, a water-based finish.
The building Co-op and condo rules
Materials and debris go through the service or freight elevator, usually by reservation, and many buildings limit work to weekday daytime hours. We plan deliveries and work days around your building’s rules. We do not quote by neighborhood.
What real Manhattan projects involved
We do not publish a price for each job, because the price follows the scope. These are the scopes, so you can see why two apartments can be priced differently.
Upper East Side co-op 1,200 sq ft white oak herringbone
Unfinished white oak herringbone, 3-1/4 by 18 inch pieces, glued and nailed over a plywood subfloor, stained dark walnut with a satin finish.
Midtown East apartment 1,500 sq ft solid white oak chevron
Full replacement. Concrete leveling, soundproofing, glue-down to the slab, then sanding and finishing.
Upper West Side brownstone 4,000 sq ft white oak herringbone
The old floor and subfloor were removed because of squeaks. New plywood was leveled and secured, then white oak herringbone was supplied, installed and finished with a natural water-based Bona Traffic HD satin finish.
Tribeca apartment 800 sq ft prefinished engineered oak plank
Demolition of water-damaged flooring, concrete leveling, glued-down soundproofing, then a prefinished engineered oak 5 inch plank.
SoHo apartment 2,000 sq ft wide plank oak
Demolition of old, damaged Brazilian cherry, self-leveling cement, and full glue-down of the soundproofing and the new wide plank oak floor.
How to get an accurate number
- Estimate and site visit. We look at the subfloor, measure, and talk through wood, layout and finish.
- A written estimate that spells out what is included.
- Management approval. We handle the paperwork your managing agent asks for, and issue the certificate of insurance once the agreement is signed.
- Wood acclimation, usually about 1 week, then installation, which usually takes a few days to 2 weeks.
Need the full process? See our Manhattan hardwood floor installation page. Looking at refinishing instead? See wood floor refinishing in NYC.
Common questions
1. How much does hardwood floor installation cost in NYC?
The average installation price is $25 to $35 per square foot. That price includes the wood and prep and is typically for prefinished products. The exact price depends on the wood, the size, the subfloor and the building, so we confirm it after a site visit.
2. How much would a 1,000 square foot apartment cost?
At the average of $25 to $35 per square foot, about $25,000 to $35,000. That is an average, not a quote. We give a written estimate after a site visit.
3. Why do quotes for hardwood floors vary so much?
Because the scope varies. Wood or concrete subfloor, leveling, soundproofing, demolition, wood species, pattern and finish all change the work. We check the subfloor before quoting, so the price reflects what is under your old floor.
4. How much does a herringbone floor cost?
Herringbone floors cost $45 to $55 per square foot, depending on the size of the project, the plank type and the wood species.
5. Does the price change by neighborhood?
No. We do not quote by neighborhood. The factors above move the price.
6. How do I get an estimate?
Call or email us to request one. We look at the subfloor, measure and talk through wood, layout and finish, then give you a written estimate.
7. Do you need board approval in a co-op?
No. Flooring projects need management approval, not board approval. We handle the paperwork your managing agent asks for.
8. Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We are licensed by the DCA as a home improvement contractor and carry all necessary insurance, including $5 million in umbrella coverage. We issue the certificate of insurance once the agreement to move forward is signed.
Request an estimate
Call 718-316-5330 or email nycfloorpro@gmail.com. NYC Floor Pro, 238 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022.
