Hardwood floor installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What hardwood floor installation is

Hardwood floor installation lays solid or engineered wood planks by nailing, gluing or floating them over a prepared subfloor, then adds trim and finish. Wood needs time to adjust to the home's humidity, so the planks are acclimated before they are set, and the work depends on the subfloor and the room conditions.

Signs you need it

  • The room has an older subfloor, and you want a real wood floor that can be sanded and refinished later
  • The old floor is damaged, warped or stained beyond what refinishing can fix
  • You want a warm, durable surface with the look of real wood in a living area or bedroom
  • The home has a subfloor that is flat and sound, with no moisture or squeaks that must be fixed first
  • You want an engineered product for a room over a basement or a radiant heat system

What the pro does

  • Check the subfloor for flatness, moisture and squeaks, and repair or level it before the wood goes in
  • Store the planks in the room for several days so they adjust to the humidity, and check the moisture content
  • Lay the underlayment or vapor barrier, then set the first row straight against a true reference line
  • Nail, glue or float the planks, with the expansion gap left at the walls and staggered end joints
  • Install the transitions, thresholds and the baseboard, and cut the planks around vents and doors
  • Clean the floor, check the squeaks and the gaps, and give the homeowner the care and maintenance steps

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Solid or engineered wood, and the species, plank width and thickness chosen
  • Installation method, whether nailed, glued or floated, with glue-down and nailed work taking more time
  • Subfloor condition, including repairs, leveling and moisture control needed under the wood
  • Room shape, the number of cuts and the layout pattern, such as herringbone or diagonal
  • Removal of the old floor and the disposal of the material from the room
  • Trim, stair nosing and transition work, plus any refinishing that follows the install

What a written quote should spell out

  • Wood species, grade, plank width and thickness, with the finish type named
  • Installation method listed, along with the underlayment and the vapor barrier if used
  • Subfloor preparation steps and any leveling compound included
  • Transitions, threshold and baseboard work included, with the number of doors listed
  • Acclimation time and the moisture check, plus the warranty on the installation

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you check the subfloor for flatness and moisture before you lay the wood?
  • How long do you acclimate the planks, and how do you check the moisture?
  • Will you nail, glue or float the floor, and why is that method right for this room?
  • How do you leave the expansion gap, and how wide is it?
  • What finish is on the planks, and will it need refinishing later?
  • Can you show me a hardwood floor you installed in a room of similar size and subfloor?

Red flags

  • The pro lays the planks straight from the box with no acclimation or moisture check
  • The pro leaves no expansion gap at the walls, or says it is not needed for solid wood
  • The pro nails the floor into a subfloor that is soft or loose without repairing it
  • The pro says the floor will not squeak with no check of the subfloor or the joists

What you can do yourself

Moving furniture, removing baseboard, and laying a floating engineered floor in a room with a flat, dry subfloor are reasonable homeowner tasks for someone with patience. Solid wood nailed over a joist floor, moisture control, and any work on a subfloor with squeaks or soft spots should be done by an installer with experience.

Licenses and permits

Hardwood floor installation commonly does not need a license, but subfloor and joist repair may require a permit or qualified carpentry. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department about the rules for structural subfloor work.

Hardwood floor installation questions

Can hardwood go over concrete?

Yes, with a suitable moisture barrier and usually a floating or glued engineered product. Solid wood is not suited to concrete in most cases. Ask the pro to test the slab and to name the product rated for it.

Why do the boards gap in winter?

Wood shrinks when the air is dry. Gaps are normal to a point, and a humidifier can reduce them. Ask the pro how the floor was acclimated and what humidity the home should keep.

Can I refinish the floor after installation?

Solid wood can be sanded and refinished several times, while engineered wood with a thin wear layer may only be refinished once or not at all. Ask the pro about the wear layer and the finish.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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