Hardwood Flooring Cost Estimation Guide for New Homeowners

Hardwood flooring cost estimation, in most cases, is quite easy for people that have done that before. But if you are moving into a new home or making plans for a home remodeling project, this unlikely to be the case for you.

Looking at all the variables usually involved, a detailed flooring cost estimation guide will help to put you in a better bargaining position before engaging any contractor. For example, is it better to go with a flooring specialist or general home remodeling contractor? This and more are some of the things we’ll help you to clarify in this post.

You should already be aware that the floors of a home are literally the foundation of that home. Floors provide the fundamental outlook for the ambiance, design, and style of the home.

As a visitor in a new home, one of the first places you are bound to have a look at once you get in is definitely the flooring, the ground you are stepping on. Therefore, it makes it imperative for homeowners to do the best they can. They have to make sure that their homes look good enough to accentuate the beauty and glamour of their entire house.

In many homes in Florida and across the US, these are some of the commonly installed flooring types –

Hardwood
Carpet
Laminate
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

As far as flooring options go, Hardwood floors are revered worldwide as one of the most expensive options available to new homeowners in Florida. They are also seen as one of the most elegant and durable.

The expenses incurred while installing Hardwood floors does not come without its uniquely high level of appeal. Its popularity arises mostly from the fact that this type of flooring is classic, and it also adds adequate warmth with a special kind of ambiance to the home. Hardwood floors have a very luscious look and charming feel.

With the regal look of a properly installed hardwood floor, the right statements can be made to visitors. You don’t always have to go overboard when picking the floors of your new home. But if sophistication and incredible quality are what you prefer, then the Hardwood flooring option will serve you well. That’s because of its functionality, high durability, and appeal.

We highly recommend that you factor in your individual style preference when considering flooring options for new homes. You’re the one who’s going to be using these facilities in the end.

Hardwood Flooring Cost Estimation In Florida

According to the statistics that experts have accumulated from the Interior Design industry today, it has been shown that new homeowners in Florida pay between $11,286.00 and $13,875.00. That’s before they can facilitate the installation of their new home’s hardwood flooring.

This is, of course, a general estimate and it shouldn’t be taken as an absolute fact. One should note that it also depends on their individual needs, choices, preferences, and styles. What works for one and is expensive for one may not be so for all.

Florida Hardwood Flooring General Estimates

General estimates are available everywhere you look for home design information. They are quite important because before you start any remodeling project, you should know about the costs that you will incur as you go on. The expenses need to be predicted.

Now it is also important to note that even though these general averages will give you an idea of the cost, they are a representation, however, and not the real costs. Always be prepared to get a final price that’s higher or lower than the initial estimate. Don’t be fully reliant on the estimates; either yours or that of the contractor.

Factors That Influence Hardwood Flooring Cost Estimates

Your flooring project doesn’t have to be expensive if you set out immediately knowing what it is that you want and fitting it into your lifestyle well enough so that you don’t incur further unnecessary charges. When budgeting, understand that raw materials will take up most of the remodeling budget.

Types of Hardwood Floors

There are many different types of Hardwood flooring options available for homes in Florida as of the year 2020. All of it just depends on what you feel most comfortable with.

There are a variety of options to choose from because your comfort goes a long way to making sure that your floor installations last long. The types of Hardwood flooring include –

Solid Hardwood Flooring

For homes in Florida, the solid hardwood flooring option serves as the most ideal for homeowners. When floors are on or above the ground level, it is advised to make use of this type of hardwood flooring.

One great thing about the solid Hardwood is its durability and the fact that it is very long-lasting, and in the event of any new wear, tear, scratch, you can also refinish, re-coat, and/or refurbish these floors easily as the years go by.

Note that when using hardwood floors like these, it is important for you to keep the level of humidity in the home at an optimal level. This is because Solid hardwood would wither shrink or expand due to the humidity level in your home.

Therefore, for the best results, keep the humidity level at 40% for the whole year. This can be done by using one of the best humidifier and an air conditioner at the same time to regulate humidity.

Unfinished Hardwood Flooring

The unfinished Hardwood flooring type comes as a very unique option for new homeowners in Florida. One of the great offers you’ll get while you consider this unfinished Hardwood type is the availability of a wider spectrum of colors and beautiful finishes to choose from.

With this variety, you can never get bored with the options at the tips of your fingers, you can design and redesign your floors how you choose to. The unfinished hardwood flooring is also cheap when you are comparing it to other hardwood types, like the Solid hardwood flooring option for example.

That means that it won’t be a big strain on your budget but you can also achieve an appealing look for the floors of your home notwithstanding.

Prefinished Hardwood Flooring

The Prefinished Hardwood Floors are known for their quick installation time and the lack of many complexities when they are being installed. Because of this, this hardwood flooring type is the most commonly installed in Florida today.

When installing prefinished hardwood, there is no need for extra work by any hardwood flooring professionals, a huge percentage of the work has been done by the company you get your wood from.

However, even though you can still technically do most of the tasks yourself, we still advise that you still hire an able professional to handle the remodel, so that you can get the best results. The hazards involved in the job are many. And in most cases, it is better to let the flooring experts do their job unless you have the expertise.

Laminate Flooring

The Laminate Flooring type is not exactly Hardwood flooring but it is definitely another great and economical option that new homeowners can safely consider without breaking the bank much.

Although it is not Hardwood flooring, Laminate Flooring has a bit of the beauty, shine, and elegance of the typical Hardwood floors. With its shiny finish, having laminate floors will make you enjoy your stay at home. Even your visitors will love the feel of the floors on their feet.

No solid wood material is used in the process of making this hardwood flooring type but still, it is very durable and attractive to look at. The awesome thing about that is that there are no heavy constructions done by the labor during the installation process.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

The process of manufacturing the engineered hardwood flooring type is done by the combination of wood with a few other organic and/or inorganic materials. That to make this flooring as durable as can be. It is not the same thing with the other hardwood types because of the complex manufacturing process.

The top layer of the Engineered Hardwood flooring is very thin and this is where the real traditional hardwood raw material is located.

What this achieves for the floor is that it gives it a great noise reduction feature. You should replace these Engineered Hardwood floor planks often though (they are often cheap to replace). That’s because they can really take hits in the form of deep scratches and dents on the surface.

However, compared to the other types of hardwood floors, the engineered hardwood flooring can be extra stable during unstable weather conditions, including humidity and temperature.

Traditional Hardwood Flooring

The Traditional Hardwood is the real, authentic hardwood that you can’t just help but admire greatly. This type of hardwood flooring easily takes on any damage or flaws that are imposed on it. It is very durable, more durable than all other types of hardwood flooring and it is sure to add to the value and ambiance of your home.

Benefits of Hardwood Floors

Even with heavy foot traffic and regular use, you will find out that having Hardwood floors installed in your home isn’t such a hassle. They are not too hard to maintain and often don’t require too much maintenance to start with.
You can afford to install Hardwood floors if you plan properly and use the right budgeting methods.
Having Hardwood floors in your home will go a long way to improve the value of your home if you’re to consider a resale.
Hardwood floors are very ambient.
Hardwood floors last long even with regular use and exposure.
The natural-looking Hardwood floors can blend easily with any color theme you choose for your home.
Installing hardwood floors in your home is a step in the right direction for environmental friendliness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hardwood floors add value to your home?

Yes, they do. If you are considering the option of a resale in the future, you should note that having hardwood floors increases the value of your home by up to 3%.

Is light or dark wood floors better?

This choice depends wholly on your style and preference. However, you should take note of some of the differences between light hardwood floors and dark hardwood floors.

Dark hardwood floors are considered to be more in style, and these floors serve to hide blemishes better, while light hardwood floors are known to hide dirt better and even last longer than their darker counterparts.

Is it better to have carpet or hardwood floors in the bedroom?

For bedrooms, you should have a carpeted floor. The reason for this is that carpets are often cozier and warmer than having hardwood floors in the room.

Are Hardwood floors worth it?

The value of hardwood floors in the home of your dreams cannot be overemphasized, but having those floors is something of a choice. Depending on your budget and style, you should surely consider installing these floors in your home for increased value.

What flooring is best for resale?

Hardwood floors are often considered the best for home resale.

Conclusion

A flooring plan is not one to be taken lightly because the kind of floors you choose to have installed in your home will inevitably affect the kind of comfort you feel in the home and the general ambiance of the setup.

If you are not overly impressed with the wonderful aesthetics potential of the amazing hardwood flooring type, then you should really like it for its amazing durability. When you install hardwood floors well enough, using the right tools, and employing the correct professionals, it can last for up to 20 years and over without much wear and tear!

And what about the increase in the value of your home? Looking at things from the perspective of a potential home resale in the future, installing the proper Hardwood floors in your new home in Florida also proves to be a very good investment option for new homeowners. This is because Home buyers are willing to pay more for homes with Hardwood flooring than those without.