| When you are trying to determine the true cost for | | | | to have sanding material before the final coating can |
| installing hardwood floors there are several things you | | | | be applied, which can increase the cost of the |
| need to look at. First of all you can head into any | | | | hardwood floor. |
| hardware store and ask the cost of their hardwood | | | | When you choose to use the tongue and groove |
| flooring material. You will get several different | | | | hardwood flooring you are looking at a minimal cost |
| answers. Most of the time depending on the | | | | for the actual flooring. The best thing about the |
| manufacturer, type of material you are using, and | | | | tongue and groove is that it is already finished and |
| whether it is interlocking hardwood flooring you will | | | | you don't need to use screws to secure the floor. |
| find a cost per square foot of $5.00 to $15.00. As I | | | | This will be one of your cheaper options if you have |
| said there are a lot of variables to look at even when | | | | a budget. |
| you just go into a store. So what you really need to | | | | You will also want to consider the cost of labor if |
| do is pick a couple of stores to go to, speak directly | | | | you are not doing the floor yourself. Labor costs can |
| with a manufacturer that sells to anyone, and | | | | very from company to company. The material will |
| compare prices. | | | | remain the same as long as you make the contractor |
| The hardwood flooring is just a small part of the | | | | aware of the type of material you wish to use. You |
| overall cost of installing a hardwood floor. Depending | | | | can also ask that they all use the same manufacturer |
| upon the type of hardwood floor you purchase you | | | | for the quote. Labor is going to be based on the |
| may need glue or screws. Some hardwood flooring is | | | | number of hours it will take to complete the |
| secured to the floor only using glue to avoid the | | | | installation and the experience of the contractor you |
| holes created by screws. Other flooring will require | | | | choose. Current hourly rates for contractors at the |
| screws that will have to be filled in with matching | | | | moment are between $30.00 and $45.00. Keep in |
| putty. You will also need to have a urethane coating | | | | mind that contractors do vary depending on location. |
| for the top of the flooring to protect it from spills | | | | They also include any overhead in those prices such |
| and other accidents. Screws can be bought by the | | | | as the insurance it costs them to do the work. |
| pound or by boxes. Most often you are looking at | | | | All told to figure the cost of installation you need to |
| around $30.00 for the screws or even the special | | | | know the square footage of the area you are using |
| glue. Putty is usually around $4.00 to $6.00. The | | | | hardwood flooring on, you need to choose the |
| finishing coat is again going to be around $30.00 to | | | | manufacturer you will use to determine the cost, and |
| $60.00 depending on the size of your floor. When | | | | then you will need to decide whether this is going to |
| you are installing the floor yourself you will also need | | | | be self installation to lower your costs. |