How Much Does it Cost To Install Herringbone Wood Floors?

Herringbone flooring brings an elegant touch and character to your home. Many homeowners report that it boosts the resale value of their properties. With various hardwood options available, you gain durability, style, and color for your home. However, nothing provides the versatility and grandeur that comes with herringbone.

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This high demand for herringbone flooring raises questions regarding installation costs. Typically, for a 200 square meter area, you should expect to spend between $3,000 and $6,500.

Costs for installing herringbone flooring can fluctuate based on labor and the specific materials chosen. Depending on the service you select, you might pay as little as $2,200 for 200 square feet, but could also see costs soar to around $8,500.

Installing herringbone wood floors presents more complexities than conventional hardwood floors. The design features a zigzag pattern, which adds to its unique charm. Consequently, many assume that herringbone installations are pricier.

However, that isn't always the entire picture. Below we will delve deeper into the costs associated with installing herringbone flooring. Here’s what you need to take into account.

What is the Overall Price of Installing Herringbone Floors?

In Canada, the average cost for herringbone flooring installation sits between $3,502 to $4,000. This estimate generally includes labor, materials, and additional expenses. The range for total installation costs can fall anywhere from $2,000 to $9,000.

While installing herringbone over an existing floor isn't widely practiced, some homeowners prefer doing it this way. If you decide to install herringbone over an existing surface, budget between $4 to $7 per square foot. The higher price reflects the extra labor required to ensure the existing floor is adequately prepared.

In fact, professionals typically discourage laying herringbone flooring over an existing floor. Removing the old floor completely can lower the cost per square foot for herringbone installation.

For intricate projects, costs can be upwards of $8 per square foot. Upgrades, like replacing your subfloor or integrating additional hardwood alongside herringbone, can push expenses to around $10 per square foot.

How Much Does It Cost To Install Square Feet Herringbone Flooring?

On average, the cost to install herringbone flooring across square feet ranges from $7,015 to $11,150. However, the majority of homeowners end up spending between $8,000 and $9,000 for professional installation and materials.

Square footage is often the main factor determining the price of hardwood flooring. A larger area implies the need for more herringbone planks, thus increasing the overall cost.

For a square feet area, costs may vary between $6 to $9 per square foot. This price range typically includes the removal of old flooring, along with the finishing and installation of the herringbone flooring. Rooms with square layouts are simpler to measure than irregularly shaped spaces. To determine your room's square footage, multiply the width by the length of the area.

Some homeowners choose to spend between $15 to $25 per square foot for the installation of premium herringbone wood floors. This pricing equates to approximately $20,000 for a square foot space.

Many flooring companies quote installation costs per square foot. Here are some standard room sizes and their corresponding installation fees:

Square Footage Average Herringbone Floor Price (Materials Only) 100 sq.ft $350 - $500 150 sq.ft $500 - $650 200 sq.ft $700 - $900 300 sq.ft $950 - $1,200 375 sq.ft $1,200 - $1,550 500 sq.ft $3,000 - $4,050 800 sq.ft $6,125- $7,000

 

Cost of Prep Work

Before undertaking the installation of herringbone flooring, allocate a budget to cover initial prep work costs. The expenses associated with prep work vary depending on the scale of repairs needed. In older homes, you may find it necessary to remove the existing floor and its subfloor.

Some installers might offer assistance in moving your furniture at no charge, while others may charge for this service. Ideally, hardwood floors should be installed over a ¾ inch plywood subfloor. Plywood subfloors can cost between $9 and $15 per square foot.

As a budget-friendly option, using an existing concrete surface as your subfloor can save costs. In addition to prepping the subfloor, inspect any baseboards, thresholds, transition strips, and doors that may require removal.

Post-installation cleaning can add roughly $100 to $150 to your bill. If you hire a professional cleaning team, you might find this cost to be reduced.

 

Labour Costs for Installing Herringbone Wood Flooring

Labour costs for herringbone flooring installation range from $4 to $8 per square foot. For more challenging installations, this can rise to $6 to $10 per square foot. Some workers, including carpenters and joiners, may charge by the hour—typically between $30 and $70.

Installation may take between 2 to 5 days for a team of two or three people, depending on the flooring size. Larger areas could require weeks for completion.

Employing an installation team of three people may cost around $150 per hour. While hiring a solo worker may appear economical, utilizing a team enhances efficiency.

You will also need help from various laborers. A contractor may be necessary to oversee the project. Generally, labor comprises around 60% of the overall costs involved in the project.

Below are some of the laborers needed for a successful herringbone flooring installation:

Floor Joist Repairs

Should you find significant rot, insect damage, or moisture issues with your floor, reinforcing the joists may be necessary, costing between $2,500 to $6,000. Joist repairs typically fall under the purview of professional installers, making it simpler not to calculate separately.

Plumber

Expect to pay a plumber between $30 to $50 per hour. If renovations for areas containing pipes are planned, such as kitchens or bathrooms, hiring a plumber can be advantageous. This is a cost-effective way to avoid future expenses due to leaks.

Professional Contractor

If you plan to supervise the project, hiring a contractor might not be necessary. However, expert contractors usually charge about 20% of the total installation costs. For instance, on a $4,500 herringbone flooring job, a contractor’s fee would amount to around $900.

Architect

In Canada, homeowners can choose from various herringbone flooring designs. An architect can help plan a layout that suits your space. Hiring an architect is wise for complex designs, and they typically charge between $40 to $50 per hour.

Carpenter

Carpenters significantly influence the cost of herringbone flooring installation. Their hourly pay usually falls between $45 to $60. Even though you may purchase pre-cut herringbone wood planks, they aren’t widely available. Therefore, you will need a carpenter to cut the wood into the desired parquet shape.

Cost of Herringbone Wood Floor: Type of Wood

High-quality herringbone flooring is achievable with any wood species, available in both solid and engineered planks. For herringbone planks, anticipate spending between $300 to $500 in total, depending on your room size. As a rule, the harder the wood selected, the higher the cost.

Regardless of your wood choice, it will contribute to an elegant and timeless aesthetic for your home. Below is a table detailing costs for common wood species when installing herringbone flooring.

 

Wood Average Price per square foot Maple $7 - $11 Sapele $3 - $5 Red oak $2 - $5 Walnut $7 - $10 Hickory/ Pecan $5 - $7 White oak $3 - $8 Teak $9 - $12 Mahogany $5 - $8 Pine $1 - $3

 

Factors that Affect the Cost of Installing Herringbone Hardwood Flooring

Several factors influence the final cost of herringbone flooring installation in Canada. These variables make it unlikely to establish a singular price for the installation.

Location in Your Home

Spaces with multiple angles, tight corners, or small areas typically increase installation costs as they complicate the work. For instance, laying flooring on a staircase generally incurs higher costs.

Type of Wood

The type of hardwood flooring—ranging from various species, finishes, and styles—can impact price. Domestic hardwood varieties tend to be more affordable than exotic species due to their rarity and transportation expenses adding to the overall cost.

While unfinished hardwood usually presents a cheaper purchase option, it incurs higher installation costs. For unfinished hardwood installation, expect to budget between $300 to $450 per square foot due to the finishing and sanding processes required prior to laying the flooring.

Conversely, prefinished floors have higher initial costs but are cheaper to install, approximately $100 to $200 per square foot, ensuring you get the best results regardless of your selection.

Kind of Finishing

The choice of finishing materials will also impact the overall flooring installation cost. Refinishing may range between $5 to $10 per square foot. Virtually all hardwood floors need a finish to guard against scratches, moisture, and damage. Common finishes include lacquer, wax, acrylic, oil, and acrylic resin. If you're searching for cost-effective finishing, consider smoking the floor.

Given that herringbone flooring has a more intricate design than conventional styles, one should expect to spend up to $20 per square foot for finishing work.

Labor-intensive finishes, such as handscraping, naturally inflate costs beyond polished counterparts.

In reality, herringbone wood floors are not prohibitively expensive. The impression of high costs stems from material and labor prices. Below is a summary of popular finish types alongside their respective costs.

 

Kind of Finish Average Price per square foot Oil Wood $4 - $6 Surface $6 - $11 Polyurethane $3 - $4 Penetrating $11 - $13 Unfinished hardwood $3 - $6 Factory $4 - $10

Thickness

Thicker wood options may cost around $300 per square foot, whereas thinner variants generally range from $100 to $150. Thicker planks enjoy longevity due to their ability to withstand repeated finishing.

Engineered and Solid Hardwood

Engineered herringbone wood flooring prices typically range from $5 to $17 per square foot, contingent on the wood species. Though not as durable as their solid counterparts, engineered hardwood offers excellent performance at a lower initial cost, along with superior moisture resistance.

Homeowners keen on minimizing costs will find engineered hardwood planks budget-friendly. Solid hardwood options will generally set you back between $10 to $25 per square foot.

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For exotic wood varieties such as heart pine, acacia, and Brazilian cherry, solid wood planks present a significant advantage with their refinishable and sandable capabilities.

Pattern and Style

The diverse range of herringbone flooring patterns and styles will also impact final costs. Wood tiles typically cost between $20 to $25 per square foot, translating to around $2,800 overall. Unlike conventional hardwood flooring, the herringbone design requires block installation in a ‘V’ pattern.

The complexity of the herringbone installation process often raises costs by approximately 30% due to the added time required.

How To Estimate The Cost Of Installing Herringbone Hardwood Flooring

Estimating the cost per square foot of installing herringbone flooring is relatively straightforward through basic arithmetic.

Here’s a step-by-step method to arrive at a definite installation cost:

• Measure the length and width of the target area.
• Add 10 to 15 percent to account for waste, cuts, and unforeseen issues.
• Multiply the length by the width. For a space measuring 10 x 12, that's 120 square feet.
• Finally, multiply the total square footage by the labor and material costs per square foot, while including additional charges for nails, thresholds, and mouldings.

Formula: (Square footage + 10 to 15 percent of total square footage) x cost per square foot = overall price

Example: (120 + 12 = 132) x $5 = $660

DIY Cost Of Installing Herringbone Flooring

While professional installation is recommended, DIY installation of herringbone flooring is also an option for those looking to cut costs. DIYing the project might cost around $3,000 total. However, purchasing materials and accounting for waste can raise overall expenses above $5,000.

The herringbone pattern is inherently more complex than typical flooring designs, stretching beyond simple gluing or nailing of planks. Any mistake during the installation could potentially double costs compared to hiring professionals.

Lacking the necessary tools—hammer, nails, glue, and splints—will likely push total expenses near $7,000. Thus, if you're going the DIY route, using engineered hardwood is more forgiving for correcting errors during installation.

For further insights, see our related article: What's The Difference Between Chevron And Herringbone Floors?

Herringbone Flooring is Affordable

The cost of installing herringbone flooring can vary, depending on resource management. Achieving high-quality herringbone results need not break the bank. You can save by opting for pre-cut planks and sourcing materials at discounted prices.

If you wonder whether the investment in herringbone flooring pays off, rest assured—it enhances your home’s resale value while providing an undeniable aesthetic appeal. The herringbone style possesses a timeless charm, capable of lasting many years without fading into obscurity. Regardless of total expenditure, choosing herringbone flooring is an excellent decision for any home.

Now is the ideal time to consider installing herringbone flooring in your residence or business space. Should you wish to renovate your floors, reach out to us for budget-friendly herringbone flooring installation. At LV Flooring, we cater to all budget ranges, ensuring exceptional flooring services. Contact us today!