What is the cost per sq ft to install wood floors?

Hardwood floors have two main costs. The cost of the flooring, which ranges from about $4.50 per square foot and up. The cost of labor which typically runs between $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot. There will be added costs if the contractor has to tear up an old floor. So measure the room dimensions. Say your room is 18 ft by 15 ft. Then calculate the square footage as: 18 x 15 = 270 sqft. Add about 30 sqft for waste(about 10%) so figure 300 sqft in wood. Then multiply by some reasonable number for the wood price & labor. Say $5.00 per sqft for flooring and $4.00 per sqft for labor = $9.00 per sqft total. Then this job should cost about $9 x 300 = $2700. The numbers above are for standard 3/4" thick hardwood flooring that requires nailing. Another alternative is a much thinner wood (about 3/8" thick) which is about $3.00 per sqft. It is glued down. In my opinion its a very good alternative if you're on a tight budget. Labor should be about the same.