how much for wood floors?

MrsHoyt

We would like to get wood flooring in our home.  About a year ago we got an estimate for $16,000 for about 2,000 square feet of engineered hardwood flooring, installed, including stairs. We were unwilling to pay that much so we ditched the idea.

However, last night we were at a friend's house and they had about 1200 feet worth of hand scraped hardwood installed for about $5k.  That sounded a lot more reasonable, but the company that did their floor has gone out of business.

Is anyone comfortable sharing how much flooring they had installed, what kind, and how much it was?  Can I also get recommendations if you have them?  I did look at the carpet post below and will call those folks as well.  I really would like to know if $16k is really what it costs.  Maybe the people who did my friend's floors went out of business because they weren't charging enough...

Thanks, and if you don't feel comfortable posting the info but can email it, please do.  mslisahoyt at gmail dot com

MrsRedRaiderGirl

Ours ran about $10/sq ft, but ours were not pre-engineered.  Ours were 2 1/4" red oak planks that had to be sanded, stained, and sealed in order to match the existing floors in the house. 

I was told that it was about 20-30% less for pre-engineered for the same type of wood. . . which would make it about $15K for you.  I've also heard my friends buy wood directly for $2-$3/sqft, and having someone from DirectSource or Craigslist install for about $2-$3/sqft, but obviously there's some liability risk there. . .

GuavaGal

I know my engineered wood floors were less than $10/foot.  Maybe $6 or $7, including labor?  I can't remember exactly, and I know I got a deal on what I picked because they already had it in stock.  I only did my living room and dining room, so you might get a discount for doing more surface area.

I used the same floor company MrsRosie recommended in the carpet post below, and was very pleased with their work + prices.

Temp919044062507573

I'll email you later tonight with a rec

Tiffany5412

I'm guessing you're not interested in fake wood?  I've just been pricing click and lock Pergo-type wood because our dogs would scratch up real wood in an instant.  There are some that look a lot more real that range from $2.59 - $4.50/sq ft.  Those come with the quiet padding attached to them.  So they only other under layer you have to purchase is the water barrier which runs around .15/sq ft.  Then you need carpet reducers for wherever the wood meets the carpet depending on how many areas you have that need those. 

Tiffany5412

Also, I posted this below in the carpet post and I can't remember the name of the company, but our friends all used Corbin from _____ flooring company.  Crap.  Sorry.  His number is 512-789-0705.  He's super nice with comparable prices.

mcgee

I've seen some nice engineered hardwoods for under $3 a square foot. We plan to install our wood floors ourselves, so we'll save a bundle by doing the carpet and tile removal and the labor on our own.

When you get an estimate, do ask for them to calculate it with and without them handling the removal of the existing floor. You may be able to save a lot if you remove the carpet, padding, tack strips, etc. yourselves.

jml5q

mcgee:

When you get an estimate, do ask for them to calculate it with and without them handling the removal of the existing floor. You may be able to save a lot if you remove the carpet, padding, tack strips, etc. yourselves.

mcgee, when you remove your old carpet how do you dispose of it? And do you have furniture on it that you'd have to move yourself?