Herringbone flooring adds exquisite features and character to your home. Most homeowners say it increases the resale value of their houses. Several available hardwood floors also offer durability, style, and colour to the home. But none gives your space versatility and grandeur like herringbone.
Therefore, it’s not surprising that the flooring is in high demand, and many people bother about the cost of installing a herringbone design. On average, you can expect to spend between $3,000 and $6,500 for a 200 square meter area.
The installation cost for herringbone flooring often varies with labour and the individual cost of materials. Depending on the services you employ, the price can be as low as $2,200 for 200 square feet. At the same time, you may spend as high as $8,500 to install herringbone flooring.
Installing herringbone wood floors is more complex compared to regular hardwood floors. The reason is, unlike traditional hardwood floors, it follows a zigzag detail. Hence, it’s easy to assume that herringbone floors are expensive.
That’s not always the case. Here we’ll provide an in-depth look at the cost of installing herringbone flooring. Here’s what you need to know.
What is the Overall Price of Installing Herringbone Floors?
In Canada, the national average cost to install herringbone flooring ranges between $3,502 to $4,000. The average fee covers labour as well as materials and miscellaneous expenses. You can expect to spend between $2,000 and $9,000 on herringbone flooring installation.
Although installing herringbone over an existing floor is not a popular floor installation method, some homeowners prefer it. If you’re installing herringbone over your existing floor, expect to spend between $4 to $7 per square foot. The process is more expensive because it requires an extra labour fee to ensure that the existing floor is perfect.
In fact, professionals don’t recommend placing herringbone flooring over an existing floor. Removing an old floor completely reduces the cost per square foot for herringbone installation.
For complicated projects, you may spend not less than $8 per square foot. Upgrades like changing your subfloor or installing another hardwood alongside herringbone may increase the cost to $10 for every square foot.
Related Article: What is Herringbone Hardwood Flooring?
How Much Does It Cost To Install 1000 Square Feet Herringbone Flooring?
The average cost to install herringbone flooring on 1000 square feet ranges between $7,015 and $11,150. However, many homeowners spend around $8,000 to $9,000 on professional labour and materials.
1000 square footage is often the primary determinant for any hardwood flooring price. The bigger the coverage space, the more herringbone planks you’ll have to buy and the higher the cost.
For a 2000 square feet area, it may cost you between $6 to $9 per square foot. The pricing for a 2000 sq. ft covers removing old flooring, finishing and installing herringbone flooring. Rooms with square shapes are easier to measure than rectangular areas. To know the square foot of your room, simply multiply the measurements of the width and length of the area.
A few homeowners spend between $15 to $25 per square foot installing herringbone wood floors with expensive materials. This pricing translates to about $20,000 for a 1000 square foot space.
Since several flooring companies often quote the price of installing herringbone flooring per square foot, below are some standard room sizes and their installation fee.
| 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 you install the herringbone flooring, set aside a budget to cover the cost of initial prep work. How much you spend on prepping depends on the extent of repair. If it’s an old home, you may need to remove the existing floor and subfloor.
Some installers may be generous to help you move your furniture for free; others may not. Ideally, all hardwood floors are installed over a ¾ inch plywood subfloors. The cost of plywood subfloors ranges between $9 and $15 per square foot.
A cheaper alternative to plywood is using existing concrete as your subfloor. Aside from prepping the subfloor, you should also check for baseboards, thresholds, transition strips and doors that may need removal.
After the installation process, you may require help to clean the mess. This will cost you about $100 to $150. If you employ a professional team, you’re likely to pay less for this service.
Labour Costs for Installing Herringbone Wood Flooring
The labour costs for installing herringbone flooring ranges from $4 to $8 per square foot. However, for more difficult installations, you may spend $6 to $10. Aside from that, some labourers like carpenters and joiners charge per hour. For instance, the average fee of a carpenter to install herringbone wood flooring is between $30 and $70 per hour.
Typically, it takes between 2 to 5 days for an installation team consisting of two or three people to install herringbone flooring of 1000 square feet. If the floor size is larger, it may take weeks.
Hiring an installation crew of three may cost you about $150 per hour. Although hiring one man for the project is cheaper, working with a team of installers is more efficient.
Other than professional installers, you’ll also require the service of several labourers. In fact, you may need to hire a contractor to supervise the project. In every installation process, labour takes up to 60% of the cost.
Listed below are the labourers you’ll need for a smooth herringbone flooring project:
Floor joist repairs
If there’s extensive rot, insect damage or moisture on your floor, you may need to reinforce the joists. Repairing a floor joist will cost between $2,500 to $6,000. Professional installers often carry out joist repairs, so it may be unnecessary to calculate it separately.
Plumber
A plumber will cost you between $30 to $50 per hour. If you’re renovating your kitchen, basement, bathroom, or places in your home with pipes, you must employ a plumber. They’re cost-effective in the sense that they help you save expenses that may arise from leaky pipe situations.
Professional contractor
Hiring the services of a professional contractor may not be necessary if you’re available to oversee the project. Experienced contractors often charge 20% of the total price for herringbone flooring installation. So if the overall price of herringbone installation is $4,500, a professional contractor’s fee is about $900.
Architect
In Canada, during home renovation, you have the luxury of choosing from several herringbone flooring designs. With the help of an architect, you can plan a layout to suit your space. For complicated designs, it’s best to hire an architect. They often charge between $40 to $50 per hour.
Carpenter
Carpenters are very important when determining the cost of installing herringbone flooring. They charge between $45 to $60 per hour. Although you may be able to buy pre-cut herringbone wood planks, they’re not readily accessible. Therefore, you’ll need a carpenter to cut the wood in parquet shape.
Cost of Herringbone Wood Floor: Type of Wood
You can install high-quality herringbone flooring with any species of wood. These woods are also available in solid and engineered planks. For herringbone planks, expect to spend between $300 to $500 in total, depending on the size of your room. Also, the harder the wood flooring, the higher the cost.
Whatever type of wood you choose, it’s certain to give your home an elegant and timeless style. The table below shows the cost of common wood species for herringbone flooring installation.
| 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 determine the final cost to install herringbone flooring in Canada. Thanks to the following mitigating factors, it’s unlikely you’ll find a definite price for laying herringbone.
Location in your home
If your space has multiple tight angles, small spaces and closets, it’ll increase the cost of installation because it makes the work more difficult. For example, if you’re flooring your staircase, you may have to pay more for installation.
Type of wood
Hardwood floors come in different species, finishes and styles. Domestic hardwood species are less expensive to use for herringbone floors. On the other hand, exotic hardwoods are on the high side because of their scarcity. Not to mention, the price of transporting them increases the overall installation fee.
Although unfinished hardwoods are cheap to buy, they’re quite expensive to install. To install unfinished hardwood, expect to pay between $300 to $450 per square foot. They’re expensive to install because they require finishing and sanding before laying the wood.
Prefinished floors are more costly but cheaper to install. They cost about $100 to $200 per square foot. Whatever type of floor you choose, you’ll still get the best results. They only differ in price.
Kind of finishing
The surface finish material you use also affects the cost of installing herringbone flooring. For refinishing, you may spend between $5 to $10 per square foot. Every hardwood floor needs finishing to protect against scuffs, moisture and scrapes. Common finishes for herringbone flooring include lacquer, wax, acrylics, oil and acrylic resin. If you’re searching for a cheaper floor finishing option, try smoking your floor.
Considering herringbone has more character than regular floors, you may spend up to $20 per square foot on refining and finishing your wood.
Handscraped floors cost more than polished floors, as they are more labour-intensive to create.
In truth, herringbone wood floors aren’t expensive. However, the materials and cost of labour make it seem so. Below are the popular kinds of finishing alongside their prices.
| 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 woods may cost about $300 per square foot. On the other hand, thinner woods may cost $100 to $150. Thicker planks are more expensive because they can withstand repeated finishing without losing durability.
Engineered and solid hardwood
Engineered herringbone hard flooring ranges from $5 to $17 per square foot, depending on the wood species. Engineered hardwood may not be as durable as its counterpart, but it certainly performs excellently for a low upfront price. Besides, they have superior moisture resistance and durability.
Homeowners looking to spend less on herringbone installation will find engineered hardwood planks budget-friendly. On the other hand, solid hardwood costs between $10 to $25 per square foot.
It’s very excellent for laying exotic woods like heart pine, acacia and Brazilian cherry. One significant benefit of installing solid wood planks is that you can refinish and sand them many times.
Pattern and style
The several patterns and styles available for herringbone flooring also affect the cost. Wood tiles range from $20 to $25 per square foot or roughly $1000 to $2,800 overall. Unlike regular hardwood floors, the herringbone design requires installing the blocks in a “V” pattern.
The herringbone installation process takes more time. Therefore, it’s not surprising that it increases the flooring costs by 30%.
How To Estimate The Cost Of Installing Herringbone Hardwood Flooring
Calculating the cost of installing herringbone flooring per square foot is relatively easy. It only requires simple maths.
Here’s a step-by-step to get a definite price for installing herringbone flooring in your space;
- Measure the length and width of your floor.
- Then, add 10 to 15 percent for wastes, cuts and unforeseen circumstances.
- Multiply the length by the width. For example, if the measurement of your space is 10 x 12, your square footage is 120 square feet.
- Finally, multiply the overall square footage by the cost of labour and materials per square foot. Remember to include the price of extras like nails, thresholds and mouldings.
Formula: (Square footage + 10 to 15 percent of total square footage) x cost per square foot = overall price
For instance, (1200 + 120 = 1320) x $5= $6,600
DIY Cost Of Installing Herringbone Flooring
Herringbone flooring installation is best left to professionals. However, if you’re looking to save money, then DIY is an excellent option. Installing herringbone DIY may cost you about $3,000 for the total project. But in a situation where you have to buy materials and set aside money for wastage, you may end up spending over $5,000 on DIY.
For a DIYer, the herringbone flooring pattern is more intricate and complicated than traditional flooring designs. It goes beyond gluing, nailing or measuring the planks. Any little error in the installation process can make you spend twice the price of hiring a professional.
If you don’t have the necessary tools for installation like a hammer, nails, glues and splints, expect to spend close to $7,000 on the overall project. In truth, DIY herringbone floor installation can be expensive if you lack the skills and techniques to lay the planks. If you’re going the DIY route, we recommend you use an engineered hardwood floor instead. With engineered hardwood planks, it’s easier to correct mistakes.
Related Article: What’s The Difference Between Chevron And Herringbone Floors?
Herringbone Flooring is Affordable
The cost to install herringbone flooring can either be cheap or expensive, depending on how you manage your resources. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to achieve a high-quality herringbone floor. You can save money on installation by buying pre-cut planks and purchasing materials at a discount.
If you’re wondering whether the cost of herringbone flooring is worth it, the answer is yes. It increases the resale value of your home and lends it beauty. Herringbone also has a timeless appeal, which can last for many years without going out of trend. No matter the overall cost, herringbone flooring is an excellent choice for the home.
The best time to install herringbone flooring in your home or commercial space is now. Are you interested in renovating your floor? Don’t hesitate to call us for affordable herringbone flooring installation. Here at LV Flooring, we work with every type of budget to offer the best flooring services. Contact us today!
