Hardwood floors have been around for many decades and have since lingered in the back of homeowners’ minds. “Do I take the step? Is it worth it? Must cost a fortune.” And so, without the real numbers in mind, the plans get postponed. But do they have to?
The way to get as close as possible to a real number when it comes to the process of installing hardwood floors is to consider every little detail and potential hidden costs that might pop up along the way.
A floor with a view
It’s no secret that a good-looking floor can be a delight for anyone, but other aspects that make this a good investment are durability, timelessness, and effortless styling.
A good wood floor can withstand the test of time, all while keeping an air of elegance and ultimately matching any furniture and design details you may choose. It can even upscale your current furniture and give it a fresh look.
And with the range in color, grain, wood type, and finish – you have all the variety you need to make the right choice for your home.
Factors to consider when budgeting
As mentioned, with such a wide range to choose from, the prices also vary.
When talking about wood type you have:
Native wood, costing from $3 to $5, whereas exotic is between $8 and $13.
You also have the quality which goes from basic $3 to $5, mid-range $5 to $10, and high-end $8 to $13.
Then comes installation:
First comes removal, which can vary between $1.95 and $4.33 per square foot. This step can be replaced with sub-floor leveling if there is no previous flooring, and the price for this is between $2 and $30/sqft, depending on how drastic the need for leveling is.
Next, we have the installation of the hardwood floor. This can be done in several ways and might require different types of insulation beforehand. Installation can range between $4 to $10/sq. ft., and here you also need to keep in mind the additional materials required, like adhesive, staples, trims, baseboards, and moldings. For example, a simple pack of staples can run up to $50.
After the floor has been properly installed, the finish comes into play. Water-based, oil-based, moisture cure, shellac, wax, glossy finish, matte finish… Again, the extent to which you can customize your floors is unbelievable. The finishing job can go from $3.25 to $5.
More costs that might not cross your mind initially include: heavy-duty furniture around the house – the moving also becomes an extra charge, shipping fees, and taxes.
Lastly, the aftermath of having new floors is all about maintenance. Seeing as they can up the price of your home considerably, they are worth looking after. First verify on Roboto Id and after buy yourself the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors and be careful when moving furniture.
Be sure to always double-check and also prepare an extra 10% in the event of unexpected costs.
Factors that might lower the cost
No feeling is better than realizing you can save money right before you’re about to spend it. There are ways to make this floor renovation both a dream come true and a steal.
Clearance, Sale, Deal, and other words that sound just right
Stores always have periods when their products go on clearance. Or when they have a good sale. Think Black Friday, Memorial Day, and so on. Just choose a few types of floors that you like and keep your eye on them. You might be getting a great deal if you wait an extra week.
If push comes to shove, you can also downgrade on quality and still have a nice outcome.
DIY as much as possible
The demolition job, fixing the sub-floor, buying everything yourself at the best price, and even installing the floors yourself. If you feel up to the task and have a few helping hands around, you might save yourself a couple thousand.
In case you can’t DIY, evaluate the bids and get the best offer on the job.
Think of your home
Think of what is the best option for you that won’t require another renovation for a very long time.
If moisture or heat pose a problem, get engineered floors, as it puts up better. If heavy traffic is the issue, hardwood is more durable and can be sanded and refinished multiple times.
Overall, wood flooring is also beneficial to your heating bill, since wood stores and evenly distributes heat.
Maybe don’t start over?
If you already have hardwood floors, but they seem dusty, scratched, and quite frankly outdated – don’t change them yet. All you might need is just a good old restoration job: sanding and a new finish.
If it sounds like too much work, just start with a swatch in a corner, you might be surprised with the results.
To wrap it up
All homeowners dream of feeling peaceful at the end of a long day of work, and part of this peace means the comfort they allow themselves to live in.
If you feel that the time is right, treat yourself to a comfortable floor that will remain timeless.
