Project examples: what typical hardwood floor jobs look like and what they cost

Install a new floor, refinish or repair an existing one, or a business or rental floor.

Install a new floor100–3,000 sq ft Refinish or repair100–3,000 sq ft Business or rental300–10,000 sq ft

Typical: an open main floor, about 600 square feet.

One bedroomabout 150 sq ft Living roomabout 300 sq ft TypicalOpen main floorabout 600 sq ft Whole single-story homeabout 1,000 sq ft

Typical: engineered standard plank, the most common new floor in slab-on-grade homes.

TypicalEngineered, standard plank (prefinished)$7–$12 per sq ft Engineered, wide-plank white oak$11–$18 per sq ft Solid, prefinished$9–$15 per sq ft Solid, site-finished (sanded and finished in place)$10–$17 per sq ft Herringbone or chevron (engineered or solid)$14–$24 per sq ft

Typical: wood subfloor. If it is a slab, the installer picks glue-down or floating.

TypicalWood subfloorIncluded Concrete slab, glue-down with moisture primer+$2–$3 per sq ft Concrete slab, floating over underlayment+$1–$2 per sq ft Not sure yet (a slab is assumed until checked)+$1–$3 per sq ft

Typical: carpet and pad, the floor most older Torrance homes have on top.

Nothing to removeIncluded TypicalCarpet and pad+$0.50–$1.50 per sq ft Tile+$3–$6 per sq ft Old wood or glued-down floor+$2–$5 per sq ft

Skip if none apply; a moisture test follows any slab.

Typical: an open main floor, about 600 square feet.

One bedroomabout 150 sq ft Living roomabout 300 sq ft TypicalOpen main floorabout 600 sq ft Whole single-story homeabout 1,000 sq ft

Typical: sand and refinish, natural color.

Screen and recoat$2–$4 per sq ft TypicalSand and refinish, natural$5–$8 per sq ft Sand, stain and refinish$6–$9.50 per sq ft Sand and refinish with a color change (light to dark or dark to light)$7.50–$11 per sq ft

Pick every line that fits; good condition adds nothing.

TypicalGood conditionIncluded Wear paths or gray spots+$1–$2 per sq ft Pet stains or deep scratches+$1–$3 per sq ft Old wax or polish (a recoat may not bond)+$0.50–$1.50 per sq ft

Skip if none apply; a drying wait only follows water damage.

Pick the floor that carries the most traffic.

Rental unit turnover Restaurant or retail floor Office or showroom Private studio or gym (dance, yoga, fitness)

Length × width in feet, or the square feet. Typical: 1,500 sq ft.

Enter a size between 300 and 10,000 sq ft.

Typical: a maintenance recoat on a floor still in good shape.

TypicalMaintenance screen and recoat$2–$4 per sq ft Sand and refinish$5–$9 per sq ft New engineered floor$8–$14 per sq ft

Pick every line that fits.

TypicalGood conditionIncluded Wear paths or gray spots+$1–$2 per sq ft Deep scratches, stains or pet damage+$1–$3 per sq ft Old wax or polish (a recoat may not bond)+$0.50–$1.50 per sq ft

Typical: after hours or on a weekend. No price change.

Skip if none apply.

Optional: a short note, such as the number of stairs or a water stain.