When shopping for an Affordable wood floor installation service, look beyond just the price. Choose a company with good customer service, quality work and experience. Then choose a flooring material that fits your budget and lifestyle.

The cost of flooring depends on the type of material you choose, the location and which flooring contractor you hire. Flooring prices range from less than $1 per square foot for laminate to $10 or more per square foot for hardwood. Installation costs vary by region as well. For example, labor is often more expensive in urban areas than in rural areas.

Before a flooring contractor can provide you with an up-front quote for a floor installation project, he or she will need to take a series of measurements of your home. This information will be used to calculate the amount of materials and labor needed for the installation. In addition, the installer will need to know if the subfloor needs to be repaired or if a moisture barrier is required.

Some companies include the removal and disposal of existing carpet, tile, or linoleum in their up-front flooring installation quotes, while others charge extra for this service. The cost of removing a glued-down or stapled-down floor can also be high, depending on the amount of glue and adhesive that was used to hold the old floor down. Other additional expenses may include dust control, which can be expensive if the installer must use plastic sheeting and air scrubbers to prevent the spread of dust throughout your home during the installation process. Additional expenses may also include a wood or linoleum underlayment, which is usually required under linoleum and vinyl and can be helpful for a wood floor as well.

Hardwood floors require a special Affordable wood floor installation service method and can be more expensive than other types of flooring. The price of wood flooring also varies by the grain, type of wood, and thickness five-sixteenths of an inch or more. Wood floors with a higher “character” knots, varied color, etc. are more expensive than smooth, uniform planks.

Other types of flooring materials are more affordable than traditional hardwood and can have the same or similar appearance. For instance, engineered wood, which is made of a real wood veneer attached to plywood, offers a less expensive alternative to solid wood. Other flooring options include stone, which is durable and low-maintenance but can be costly to install.

You can save on installation costs by moving your own furniture before the flooring contractor arrives. However, be prepared to pay $25 to $75 per room extra if the flooring contractor must move your furniture. You can also save on installation costs by choosing more economical flooring materials, such as less-expensive rare hardwoods or customized floor panels. Also, consider alternative wood-look flooring to save money on installation costs, such as vinyl or laminate wood or porcelain tiles. These are available in a wide range of colors and patterns to complement any design style.