The short answer
For most Metro Atlanta homes, professionally installed solid hardwood runs about $8 to $15 per square foot, all-in — that's the material plus the labor to install it. Domestic oak on a simple straight-lay pattern lands near the low end, while wide plank, exotic species, or site-finished floors push toward the top. The biggest swings come from the species and grade you pick, whether the wood is prefinished or finished on-site, how much old flooring has to come out, and the subfloor underneath.
Below we break those numbers down honestly so you know exactly what you're paying for — and what to ask any contractor before you sign.
Cost breakdown, line by line
Here's how a typical installed solid-hardwood price comes together in the Metro Atlanta market. Ranges are per square foot unless noted.
| Line item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Hardwood material (domestic oak → wide-plank / exotic) | $4 – $9 |
| Installation labor (nail-down) | $3 – $6 |
| On-site sand & finish (site-finished wood only) | $3 – $6 |
| Carpet removal & haul-away | ~$0.50 / sq ft |
| Tile, glued-down or old hardwood removal & disposal | $2 – $5 / sq ft |
| Plywood subfloor build-up over slab (if needed) | priced per affected area |
| Furniture moving (move-out / move-in) | $800 – $1,200 |
| Stairs (per tread) | priced per tread |
| Transitions, shoe molding & quarter-round | per piece / linear ft |
What drives your price up or down
Pushes the price up ↑
- Wide-plank boards, exotic species, or higher select grades
- Site-finished (unfinished) wood that's sanded, stained & sealed in your home
- Removing glued-down tile or old hardwood (vs. easy carpet tear-out)
- Building a plywood subfloor over a concrete slab
- Lots of cuts — many small rooms, angles, stairs, or intricate patterns like herringbone — which increase waste and labor
- New baseboards or extensive trim work
Keeps the price down ↓
- Prefinished domestic oak in a standard width
- Open, rectangular floor plans on a simple straight-lay pattern — less waste and labor
- A sound wood subfloor needing little or no prep
- Moving your own furniture out before the crew arrives
- Removing your old flooring yourself before the crew arrives
Sample project totals
Rough all-in estimates (prefinished material + labor + standard removal) to help you picture your own project. Site-finished floors and heavy prep will run higher.
| Project size | Typical installed total |
|---|---|
| Single room (~250 sq ft) | $2,000 – $3,750 |
| Main living area (~500 sq ft) | $4,000 – $7,500 |
| Main floor (~1,000 sq ft) | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Whole home (~2,000 sq ft) | $16,000 – $30,000 |
Where does IQ Installs fall?
Right inside these market ranges. Our installed hardwood pricing lands in the competitive middle of the Metro Atlanta market — not cut-rate, not premium-padded. Every quote is fully itemized, so you see wood, labor, finishing, removal, subfloor work, and add-ons like furniture moving as separate lines — never buried in one mystery number. Prefer to buy your own flooring? We also offer a labor-only install option.
What's included when IQ Installs does the job
- Free, thorough in-home inspection of your floor space by trained IQ estimators
- Transparent, same-day estimates
- Professional installation by IQ vetted and trained crews
- Job-site clean-up and debris haul-away
- Clear communication from estimate to final walkthrough
Related pricing guides
Frequently asked questions
How much does solid hardwood installation cost in Metro Atlanta?
For most Metro Atlanta homes, professionally installed solid hardwood runs about $8 to $15 per square foot all-in (materials plus labor). Domestic oak on a straight-lay pattern lands near the low end, while wide-plank, exotic species, or site-finished floors push toward the top. Old-floor removal and subfloor work, when needed, are additional.
What's the difference between prefinished and site-finished hardwood?
Prefinished hardwood arrives sanded, stained, and sealed from the factory, so it installs faster and you can walk on it right away. Site-finished (unfinished) wood is installed raw and then sanded, stained, and coated in your home — it gives a seamless, custom look but adds roughly $3 to $6 per square foot and needs cure time before furniture goes back.
Can solid hardwood be installed over a concrete slab?
Not directly. Solid hardwood is nailed down and needs a wood subfloor, so on a concrete slab you either build up a plywood subfloor first (added cost) or choose engineered hardwood, which is made to go over concrete. We check your subfloor during the free in-home estimate and tell you honestly which product fits.
How much does it cost to remove old flooring?
Removal is priced by what's coming out: pulling and hauling carpet is inexpensive (around $0.50 per square foot), while glued-down tile or old hardwood is far more labor-intensive and runs roughly $2 to $5 per square foot.
How long does solid hardwood installation take?
Wood usually needs a few days to acclimate to your home first. A typical 1,000–1,500 sq ft install runs about 3 to 5 days; if the floor is site-finished, add time for sanding, staining, and finish cure before furniture returns.
Is solid hardwood a good choice for Georgia homes?
Solid hardwood is an excellent, long-lasting choice for main and upper floors and can be refinished multiple times over its life. For basements and rooms built on a concrete slab, engineered hardwood usually handles Georgia's humidity better. We'll steer you to the right product for each area.
How do I get an exact price for my home?
Square-foot ranges are a starting point — your real number depends on your floor plan, species and grade, prefinished vs site-finished, removal, and subfloor condition. IQ Installs provides a free, no-obligation in-home estimate across Metro Atlanta. Call (470) 223-2206 or request an estimate online.
Want your exact number?
Get a free, no-obligation in-home estimate — itemized and honest, with no pressure.
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