Flooring
- Prefinished hardwood, finished at the factory and ready to use when it’s installed
- Unfinished hardwood, sanded, optionally stained and finished on site with three coats
- Solid and engineered products
New hardwood floors
Hardwood Floor Installation
New hardwood installed the right way for your home and subfloor: prefinished or finished on site, nailed, glued or floating. We test moisture, let the wood acclimate inside your home and give you a clear written estimate.
At a glance
- Typical labor
- $3–$6 per sq ft, depending on the method
- Acclimation
- 3–5 days inside your home before installation
- Methods
- Nail-down, staple-down, glue-assist, glue-down or floating
- Stairs
- $100–$160 per step
What we install
Hardwood for your floor and your subfloor
The right installation method depends on the flooring product, the subfloor and the room. We recommend one before we price your project.
Subfloors
- Plywood
- Concrete, with glue-down or floating installs (sealing or self-leveling when required)
- Existing wood floors, evaluated project by project
Related work
- Removing the old flooring
- Subfloor preparation and repairs
- Transitions and reducers
- Baseboards, quarter round and shoe molding
- Hardwood stair treads and risers
Our process
How we install hardwood
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Step 1: Measure and plan
We measure, check the subfloor and help you choose the product and the right installation method.
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Step 2: Delivery and acclimation
The wood is delivered 3–5 days before installation to acclimate inside your home, never in the garage. Some products need longer; the manufacturer’s requirements come first.
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Step 3: Moisture testing
We check the moisture in both the subfloor and the new wood. Our standard: within 5 percentage points of each other (for example, 8% and 13%), plus any stricter manufacturer rules.
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Step 4: Removal and preparation
Old flooring comes out when it’s part of your estimate. Light sanding of plywood seams is included; major leveling or repairs are quoted separately.
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Step 5: Installation
Your floor goes in with the method that fits the product and subfloor. Most small T-mold transitions are included.
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Step 6: Finish and walk through
Unfinished floors are sanded, stained if you like and finished with three coats. Then we walk through the floor with you and hand over your Customer Project & Warranty Package.
Pricing
Typical hardwood installation prices
Approximate labor guidelines, not quotes. Hardwood and pad material are priced separately.
| Service | Typical labor |
|---|---|
| Hardwood installationDepends on the installation method | $3–$6 per sq ft |
| Glue-down over concreteAdhesive included | about $8 per sq ft |
| Sanding and finishing (unfinished floors)Three coats of finish standard | $4–$6 per sq ft |
| Stain colorOptional | $0.75–$1.50 per sq ft |
| Stairs, treads and risersDepends on size and complexity | $100–$160 per step |
| Minimum project price | $800 |
Installation methods
- Nail-down or staple-down: standard hardwood over plywood
- Glue-assist: boards 5 in. wide or wider, including most wide-plank engineered
- Glue-down: over concrete or another hard surface where nails can’t be used
- Floating: certain engineered and locking-system products over a pad
Priced separately at your estimate: removal of the old floor, subfloor leveling or repairs, concrete sealing when required, larger transitions, furniture moving and delivery when it applies.
Matching & stairs
Blending into existing floors
New hardwood can sometimes be woven into an existing wood floor when the same flooring is still available. With unfinished wood, the old and new boards are usually sanded and finished together so they look as consistent as possible.
Wood varies from one production run to the next and changes with age and wear, so a perfect match can’t be guaranteed. We’ll tell you honestly what to expect before you decide.
Hardwood stairs
We install hardwood stair treads and risers, priced per step: one tread plus one riser is one step, a nosing counts as one step, and a landing counts as two. We don’t install skirt boards, newel posts, railings or balusters; on larger flooring projects we can coordinate that work with contractors we trust. Read hardwood stairs: treads, risers and how they tie into your floors.
After installation
- Prefinished hardwood: furniture and area rugs can generally go back right away.
- Fully glue-down floors: allow 2–3 days before furniture and rugs, depending on the adhesive.
- Site-finished floors: follow the refinishing waiting times for furniture and rugs.
- Use felt pads on all furniture legs.
- You can supply your own flooring or have us supply it. Either way, it acclimates inside your home first.
Your work is covered by our Limited One-Year Workmanship Warranty. Products carry their own manufacturer warranties.
Reviews
What customers say about our hardwood floor installation
Best hardwood floor install I've ever seen. Smooth as glass. There were no sanding marks near the walls. Hardwood tight as can be. Originally installed in 2006 (now 2012), and in top condition. In the meantime, the other contractor I used for another floor install in 2005 has to be refinished. Of course I'm having it refinished by Alex's crew at Vision. On time, reasonable prices, great craftsmanship. It doesn't get better.
We are extraordinarily pleased with the work done for us by Alex Babko and his Vision Flooring team. Our goal was new hardwood installation in Living-, Dining-, Family-Rooms, Office & Stairwell treads, together with a refinish and blending in with existing kitchen & hall wood floors..."and, by the way, could you just do something to make the stairs not squeak so much." Once the old carpets were removed, this…
Read the full review
We are extraordinarily pleased with the work done for us by Alex Babko and his Vision Flooring team. Our goal was new hardwood installation in Living-, Dining-, Family-Rooms, Office & Stairwell treads, together with a refinish and blending in with existing kitchen & hall wood floors..."and, by the way, could you just do something to make the stairs not squeak so much." Once the old carpets were removed, this substantial job presented the guys with problems involving sub-floor level disparities and a dangerously unsupported stairwell under-structure. Alex was extremely conscientious and fair in his proposed additional charges for dealing with those problems, and the final result of all their work in our home is simply wonderful. They worked patiently with us to get the stain color exactly right; the significant amount of new-to-old floor blending is flawless; and we walk--'glide'-- now up and down our squeak-less superbly supported stairs! Alex and his team and are skilled craftsmen, well worth their price as well as any potential wait in line for their services.
FAQ
Hardwood installation questions
How long does hardwood need to acclimate?
Hardwood is generally delivered 3–5 days before installation so it can acclimate inside your home, not in the garage. Some products need longer; the manufacturer’s requirements come first.
Do you test for moisture before installing hardwood?
Yes. We check the moisture in both the subfloor and the new hardwood. Our standard is that they should be within 5 percentage points of each other, along with any stricter manufacturer requirements.
Which installation method will my floor need?
It depends on the product and the subfloor: nail-down or staple-down for standard hardwood over plywood, glue-assist for wide planks, glue-down over concrete, or floating for certain engineered products. See hardwood installation methods compared.
Can new hardwood be blended into my existing floor?
Often, yes. New boards can be woven in and sanded and finished together with the existing floor. Wood varies by production run, age and wear, so a perfect match can’t be guaranteed.
Do you install hardwood on stairs?
Yes, hardwood treads and risers, priced per step. We don’t install railings, newel posts, balusters or skirt boards ourselves; on larger flooring projects we can coordinate that work with trusted contractors.
Can hardwood run parallel to the floor joists?
Yes, if the subfloor is stiff enough. Perpendicular is the preferred direction. Read can hardwood run parallel to the floor joists?
How do I care for my new prefinished hardwood floor?
Furniture and area rugs can go back right away; put felt pads under every furniture foot. Vacuum or dust-mop weekly and clean with Bona Floor Cleaner (not the polish). Prefinished hardwood usually can’t be recoated, and most engineered hardwood can’t be refinished, so everyday care matters most. Printable care sheet (PDF).
Guides
Plan your new hardwood floor
Hardwood installation
Hardwood Flooring Installation Guide: Every Step, From Choosing Wood to the Final Coat
How pro hardwood installation works, step by step: choosing wood, acclimation, moisture testing, layout, install methods, finishing, timeline and cost.
Hardwood installation
Can I Install Hardwood Flooring Parallel to the Floor Joists, or Must It Be Perpendicular?
Yes, hardwood can run parallel to floor joists if the subfloor is stiff enough. See the NWFA rules, subfloor thickness by joist spacing, and how to check.
Hardwood installation
Does Hardwood Flooring Need Underlayment? It Depends on How It's Installed
Nail-down, glue-down or floating? When hardwood needs underlayment, which kind to use over plywood or concrete, condo sound rules and what's included.
More services
Other ways we can help
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Restore the beauty of your existing hardwood floors with professional sanding, staining and finishing.
LVP / LVT Installation
A realistic wood or stone look that handles everyday spills, pets and busy households.
Laminate Installation
An affordable wood look with a hard-wearing surface. A smart pick for dry living areas and bedrooms.
Baseboard Installation
New baseboards, door and window casing, quarter round and shoe molding, with your new floors or on their own.
Floor Repair After Water Damage
We repair and replace damaged floors and baseboards once the mitigation company has dried everything out.
