COST CALCULATOR

How Much Does It Cost To Install An Engineered Wood Floor?

Q: How much does engineered hardwood cost per square foot?

The price per square foot of engineered hardwood varies based on the wood species and the type of veneer you choose. Prices can be as low as $2 per square foot for low-grade hardwood to as much as $12 per square foot or more for high-grade hardwood.

Q: What is the most durable species of engineered hardwood?

Choose an exotic hardwood species like acacia, Brazilian cherry, or Brazilian koa for the best level of durability. While these hardwoods are more expensive, they also hold up much better than some domestic hardwoods, especially in areas of the home with high traffic. All engineered hardwood types resist moisture better than solid hardwood thanks to the layered design that helps fight against humidity's effects.

Q: What are the methods used to install engineered hardwood?

The three installation methods for engineered hardwood are floating, glue, and staple or nail. Floating installation is the easiest to DIY, but it requires an underlayment that leaves room for expansion. Glue installation is more difficult since it requires adhesive underneath and highly precise alignment. Staple or nail installation uses a layer of polyethylene to help reduce moisture seepage and involves a stapler or nail gun designed to go with the thickness of the wood.

Q: Can I refinish engineered hardwood flooring like you can with solid hardwood?

Mid- and high-grade engineered hardwood can be refinished two to four times, on average. Choose hardwood with a veneer width of at least 2mm. Low-grade options are more affordable, but the veneer could be too thin to sand safely without damaging it.

Q: Is it okay to install engineered hardwood DIY?

Overall, engineered hardwood is a good DIY flooring choice. Most styles are easy to find at major home improvement stores and come in a wider range of prices and options than standard hardwood. Make sure you purchase 5% to 20% more materials than your space requires to account for waste. Hiring a professional can reduce this amount to between 5% and 10%.

Typical range: $2,077-$3,043

Find out how much your project will cost

Zip Code

cost to install an engineered wood floor Calculator

For your project in zip code 98102 with these options, the cost to install an engineered wood floor starts at $6.92-$10.14 per square foot. Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose.

Adding hardwood flooring to your home creates a beautiful, natural look while boosting resale value. Hardwood was once quite expensive, but now, engineered hardwood planks provide a much more affordable option without sacrificing performance or looks.

If you’re interested in the cost of installing engineered hardwood, it’s important to plan ahead so you don’t go over budget. Proper planning ensures that you get the best flooring for your money while having a little bit of extra leftover for any unexpected expenses you might encounter along the way.

The average cost to install engineered hardwood flooring is approximately $2,442 for a typical 300-square-foot room. The cost may be as low as $1,981 to as much as $2,900 or more, including materials and labor. Whether you’re installing new floors DIY or hiring a professional, our guide will help you estimate your total engineered wood floor installation cost. You’ll learn how to determine project pricing based on the job size, your location, site conditions, and finish options to help you get an accurate estimate that focuses on your unique needs.

Cost Calculator

Zip Code

Calculations are dependent on where you live

Square Feet

Standard Services		Quantity	Low	High
What you can expect
Range per square foot:			$6.92	$10.14
Range for this type of project:			$2,077	$3,043
Estimate: $2,560
	Engineered Wood Flooring Cost	320 square feet	$885	$1,165
	Cost of residential, above-grade interlocking engineered flooring for floating installation, with 2mm wear layer and 7-coat AIO finish. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect installation and occasional repairs. 25-year limited warranty guarantees excellence.
	Engineered Wood Flooring Labor, Basic	16 hours	$1,045	$1,697
	Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete installation. Underlayment will be installed on clean, level subfloor. Flooring will be culled and blended. Hidden nailing will be used to secure surface. Fee is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of installation site, and meticulous cleanup.
	Engineered Wood Flooring Job Supplies	320 square feet	$108	$123
	Requisite supplies for the job, including manufacturer-recommended underlayment, fasteners, adhesives, and surface sealants.
	Engineered Wood Flooring Equipment Allowance	1 job	$39	$58
	Daily rental of specialty equipment for maximum quality and efficiency. These include pneumatic nailer for 1-1/2" to 2" nails, and up to 3/4"-thick flooring. Consumable equipment elements not included.
	Engineered Wood Flooring Debris Disposal	300 square feet	$74	$85
	Responsible disposal of all project debris, including the cost to load and haul old materials, installation waste, and any other refuse.
Optional Services
	Option: Remove Flooring	15 hours	$261	$1,647
	Flooring will be detached from adjacent components, broken into portable segments, and removed from premises. Asbestos handling will incur additional fees.

Standard services

Engineered Wood Flooring Cost
$885 -$1,165

320
square feet

Cost of residential, above-grade interlocking engineered flooring for floating installation, with 2mm wear layer and 7-coat AIO finish. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect installation and occasional repairs. 25-year limited warranty guarantees excellence.

Engineered Wood Flooring Labor, Basic
$1,045 -$1,697

16
hours

Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete installation. Underlayment will be installed on clean, level subfloor. Flooring will be culled and blended. Hidden nailing will be used to secure surface. Fee is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of installation site, and meticulous cleanup.

Engineered Wood Flooring Job Supplies
$108 -$123

320
square feet

Requisite supplies for the job, including manufacturer-recommended underlayment, fasteners, adhesives, and surface sealants.

Engineered Wood Flooring Equipment Allowance
$39 -$58

1
job

Daily rental of specialty equipment for maximum quality and efficiency. These include pneumatic nailer for 1-1/2" to 2" nails, and up to 3/4"-thick flooring. Consumable equipment elements not included.

Engineered Wood Flooring Debris Disposal
$74 -$85

300
square feet

Responsible disposal of all project debris, including the cost to load and haul old materials, installation waste, and any other refuse.

Optional Services

Option: Remove Flooring
$261 -$1,647

15
hours

Flooring will be detached from adjacent components, broken into portable segments, and removed from premises. Asbestos handling will incur additional fees.

What you can expect

Range per square foot:
$7 - $10

Range for this type of project:
$2,077 - $3,043

Estimate:
$2,560

Cost Comparison

YOUR ESTIMATE

$2,560

NATIONAL AVERAGE RANGE

$1,982 -$2,903

YOUR ESTIMATE

Install an Engineered Wood Floor: national average cost

The national average materials cost to install an engineered wood floor is $3.05 per square foot, with a range between $2.64 to $3.47. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $8.14, coming in between $6.61 to $9.68. A typical 300 square foot project costs $2,442.18, with a range of $1,981.62 to $2,902.73. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.

cost to install an engineered wood floor
National Avg. Materials Cost per square foot	$3.05
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 300 square foot	$2,442.18
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 300 square foot	$1,981.62 - $2,902.73

Labor cost to install engineered hardwood floors

Remember to factor in labor when estimating the cost of installing engineered hardwood. Labor costs will vary by location, but you should plan to budget approximately 50% of your project cost for the labor alone.

A basic engineered hardwood flooring installation takes around 16 hours to complete at an average cost of $948 to $1,539. Factors like materials and equipment rental availability may add between five to 10% to your total price.

Make sure you shop around and get three to five free estimates to help you find the best engineered hardwood installation cost available to make an informed decision.

Engineered wood flooring cost by square foot

The national average cost for materials for a typical engineered hardwood floor installation is $3.05 per square foot, ranging from $2.64 to $3.47. Adding in labor, you can expect to pay $8.14 on average per square foot, with a lower bound of $6.61 and a higher bound of $9.68.

The following table shows the average cost to install engineered wood floor by square foot:

Square Feet	Average Cost	Lowest Cost	Highest Cost
100	$306	$264	$347
200	$611	$528	$694
300	$917	$792	$1,041
400	$1,222	$1,056	$1,388
500	$1,528	$1,320	$1,735
600	$1,833	$1,584	$2,082

Include about 15% more for the cost of materials when factoring in the price of engineered wood flooring to account for waste.

Buying materials in bulk means there’s always a certain percentage that will be defective. This rate increases for natural materials and decreases for synthetic materials. Engineered hardwood has a lower defect rate than natural hardwood.
Some rooms may have an unusual shape or size. You’ll likely have to cut some materials to fit irregular areas or to fit under obstructions. An experienced contractor can reduce waste by reusing any leftover material and installing them in these areas.

Engineered hardwood installation cost by grade

There are different grades of engineered hardwood to choose from. Higher grades cost more, but they’re also more durable and resistant to everyday wear and tear.

Low-grade engineered hardwood floor

A basic option is a low-grade engineered hardwood, which has advantages over other flooring materials. The lowest grade costs the least, around $3 to $9 per square foot. It typically has three layers and a top veneer between 1/16" and 1/12" thick.

Mid-grade engineered hardwood floor

Mid-grade engineered hardwood is more durable and can handle the wear and tear of heavy foot traffic. Prepare to pay between $6 and $12 per square foot, including five core layers and a 1/12” to 1/8” thick veneer layer.

High-grade engineered hardwood floor

High-grade engineered hardwood is the most durable and longest-lasting choice. This grade of flooring will look beautiful for years, even in the high-traffic areas of your home. It’s the most expensive choice, ranging from $9 to $12 per square foot. High-grade engineered hardwood features seven core layers and a veneer that is 1/6” thick or more.

Cost of engineering floor by materials

Engineered hardwood is made of many layers of wood. The top layer, the veneer, is the part you’ll see once installed. Your floors should be strong enough to handle regular use while retaining the traditional look and feel of natural hardwood.

Veneers can be made from various wood species. Each has its pros and cons, as well as differences in durability, price, and aesthetics.

The Janka hardness scale measures hardwood quality. The higher the rating, the more durable and damage-resistant it will be. Some hardwoods are softer than softwoods, so get to know the Janka scale for the material you’re interested in ahead of time.

Hard Maple

Hard maple is a popular domestic hardwood with a Janka rating of 1450. It’s incredibly durable, making it perfect for medium to high-traffic areas. Hard maple ranges in color from pale cream to reddish brown and costs between $3.50 to $6 per square foot.

Heartpine or longleaf pine

With a Janka rating of 1225, heartpine or longleaf pine is a dense, durable domestic hardwood with a distinctive grain. This option costs between $1.50 to $4 per square foot and looks great with dark stains and finishes. It works well in medium to high-traffic areas of the home.

White ash

White ash is a domestic hardwood that costs $5 to $6 per square foot with a Janka rating of 1320. It withstands medium to high traffic well. White ash is easier to cut than some other wood species, and colors range from light cream to grayish brown with no staining required.

Brazilian cherry or tigerwood

Brazilian cherry or tigerwood has a Janka rating of 2350 and costs $5 to $9 per square foot. This affordable, exotic hardwood is one the most durable and easily withstands heavy foot traffic. Its deep, red hue and moderate grain make it a great choice to warm up a home interior.

Brazilian koa

Brazilian koa costs $4 to $9 per square foot with a high Janka rating of 2160. It features warm hues and high-contrast wood grain for a bold look, while its extreme durability ensures many years of enjoyment and beauty in your home.

Acacia

Acacia has a rich, varied grain that ranges from light cream to dark brown. This hardwood has a Janka rating of 2220 and costs approximately $3 to $8 per square foot. Acacia’s natural wax coating repels water, resists warping, and prevents pests.

DIY vs hire a pro

You can install engineered hardwood flooring DIY to save money on labor. However, the cost to install engineered wood flooring is worth the higher price tag if you choose to hire a professional. If you don’t have experience installing this type of flooring, you’ll likely need to pay more to have someone re-do it unless you’re confident in your abilities or have help from an experienced friend or family member.

Consider comparing what it would cost you to hire a professional versus doing the installation based on your skill level. Make sure you compare a few estimates from some local flooring installers. Most contractors are happy to offer a free estimate, so try to get at least three before you hire someone.

Ask the installers their projected timeline, how they price their installations, and what you can expect during the process. Ask the contractors to visit your home to provide you with the most accurate pricing possible.

Engineered hardwood can be a great choice for a DIY flooring installation. Still, there are several things to consider when deciding whether you’d like to attempt to do it yourself or hire a highly skilled professional.