Updated: July 28, 2025

Replacing wall-to-wall carpet with beautiful hardwood floors is a popular upgrade that can increase a home's value and appeal. So, how much does it cost to replace carpet with hardwood? The answer depends on several factors like the type of wood, the size of the space, labor rates, and any extra work (like removing old carpet or refinishing). In general, homeowners can expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 (or $7–$15 per square foot on average) to remove old carpet and install hardwood in a typical room. Below, we break down the costs and considerations – including specific scenarios like bedrooms and stairs – and offer tips to get the most value for your investment.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Replace Carpet with Hardwood

Several key factors will influence the total cost to replace carpet with hardwood in your home:

Hardwood Material Choice: Hardwood flooring prices vary widely. Common domestic woods like oak or maple are more affordable (around $3–$8 per sq. ft. for materials), while exotic woods or high-end brands can cost $10–$15+ per sq. ft.. Engineered hardwood tends to be cheaper than solid wood, typically ranging from $3 to $12 per sq. ft. depending on species and quality. For example, oak flooring cost is usually on the lower end of the spectrum, making oak a budget-friendly choice for hardwood.
Square Footage of the Area: The size of the room or project directly impacts cost. Larger areas require more materials and labor hours, increasing the total expense. A small bedroom will cost much less than replacing carpet with hardwood throughout an entire floor of your house. Always measure your space (length × width) to calculate square footage, and consider using a flooring calculator to estimate material needs and costs.
Removal of Old Carpet: Taking out the existing carpet and padding is an additional cost. Professional carpet removal typically costs about $1–$2 per square foot (this may include disposal fees). For instance, removing carpet from a 200 sq. ft. room might add around $200–$400 to the project. You can save money by removing the carpet yourself before installers arrive, since DIY removal is relatively straightforward (just be cautious of staples and tack strips). By doing this prep work, you eliminate a portion of the labor cost.
Installation/Labor Costs: Hardwood floor installation cost is usually charged per square foot for labor. This cost can range from $3 to $8 per sq. ft. for a professional installer, depending on your region and the complexity of the job. If the installation is straightforward (e.g. large, open rooms with few cuts), it will be on the lower end. More complex installations – rooms with many corners, or patterns like herringbone, or areas like staircases – will incur higher labor fees. On average, hardwood floor installation labor for a typical room runs about $4–$6 per sq. ft. Hiring experienced professionals may cost more, but it ensures the job is done right. While DIY installation of hardwood is possible (especially with click-lock engineered hardwood that many homeowners learn how to install themselves), it can be challenging and time-consuming if you’re not experienced.
Additional Materials and Upgrades: Don’t forget the extra materials and tasks that might be needed. An underlayment or moisture barrier may be required between the subfloor and hardwood, adding $0.50–$1.50 per sq. ft.. New baseboards or shoe molding to trim out the room can also add to the cost. If you choose to have the hardwood floors stained and sealed after installation (common with unfinished wood flooring), there will be added costs for finishing – roughly $1–$2 per sq. ft. for on-site finishing. Pre-finished hardwood floors come ready with a factory finish, which can save finishing costs and time.

Each of these factors contributes to the total cost to replace carpet with hardwood. For a rough calculation, combine the expected material cost per square foot with the installation cost per square foot, then add any removal or extra costs. For example, if materials are $5/sq. ft. and labor is $4/sq. ft., that’s $9/sq. ft. base cost; in a 200 sq. ft. room, about $1,800 total, plus perhaps $200 for removing old carpet and $200 for underlayment, leading to ~$2,200 overall. Every project will differ, so use these figures as general guidelines.

Cost to Replace Carpet with Hardwood in a Bedroom

Bedrooms are a common place to upgrade from carpet to hardwood. How much might this cost in a typical bedroom? It depends on the room size and choices, but let’s consider an average bedroom of 12 ft. by 15 ft. (180 sq. ft.):

Material Cost: If using a mid-range oak hardwood at around $5 per sq. ft., the wood for 180 sq. ft. would cost about $900. Choosing a cheaper option (like $3/sq. ft. laminate or lower-end engineered wood) could drop material cost to $540, whereas a high-end hardwood at $10/sq. ft. would be $1,800 just for materials in the bedroom.
Installation Cost: Professional installation might be around $4–$6 per sq. ft. for a simple rectangular bedroom. At $5 per sq. ft., labor for 180 sq. ft. is $900. If you have multiple closets or angles to cut around, labor could be a bit higher.
Removal & Miscellaneous: Taking out the old carpet in that bedroom could add roughly $180–$300 (if not done DIY). Underlayment for 180 sq. ft. might add another ~$180 (at $1/sq. ft.).

Adding these up, the cost to replace carpet with hardwood in a bedroom can range roughly from $1,500 on the low end (using budget materials and doing some work yourself) to $3,000 or more on the high end for premium wood and full-service installation. Most average bedrooms will end up around the mid-point of that range. Keep in mind that carpeted bedrooms often have floor vents, doorways, or transitions to other flooring, which the installer will handle – these minor extras are usually included in the installation quote.

Cost to Replace Carpet on Stairs with Hardwood

Replacing carpeted stairs with hardwood is a bit more complex and typically priced per step rather than per square foot. Stairs require meticulous work, custom fitting of tread and riser pieces, and often finishing touches like stair nose trim. The cost to replace carpet stairs with hardwood generally runs $100 to $200 per step in materials and labor, according to home improvement pros. This means if you have a standard flight of 13 carpeted stairs, it could cost roughly $1,300 to $2,600 to re-do them in hardwood.

Breaking it down further:

Materials: You’ll need hardwood treads and risers for each stair. Prefabricated stair tread kits (often oak or maple) can cost around $30–$50 per step for materials. Higher-end or custom wood stair parts (like solid oak treads with returns, or exotic wood) will cost more. If you opt to use matching hardwood flooring planks to cover stairs (instead of one-piece treads), there will be costs for stair nose molding pieces as well.
Labor: Installers often charge more per stair compared to flat flooring due to the detailed work. Removing the old carpet, prepping the stair, cutting each hardwood tread to size, and securely fastening it is time-intensive. Labor might be, for example, $50–$75 per stair. Stairs with spindles/railing systems or open-sided staircases (with exposed side edges) can cost on the higher end because they require additional carpentry work.

If your home already has solid wood stairs underneath the carpet (common in some older homes), you might save money by refinishing hardwood floors on the stairs rather than installing brand-new treads. In that case, the cost might be lower – perhaps $40–$75 per stair to remove carpet, sand, and refinish the wood. Always ask a contractor to assess your stairs; they can tell if the wood underneath is finish-quality. Even if usable wood is present, you’ll have some cost for carpet removal and refinishing supplies or labor. In any scenario, expect stair projects to be a noticeable add-on to your budget. However, the result is a dramatic improvement in appearance and durability, as stairs endure heavy foot traffic and hardwood will last much longer than carpet on steps.

Hardwood vs. Carpet: Which is Cheaper?

Many homeowners wonder, “Is carpet or hardwood cheaper?” when planning flooring projects. Carpet is generally cheaper upfront, both in material and installation costs, but hardwood may offer better long-term value. Here’s a quick comparison:

Material Costs: Basic carpet can cost as little as $2 per sq. ft., while even the most budget hardwood floors start around $3 per sq. ft. and go up to $15 or more. High-end luxury carpets (wool, designer brands) can actually get pricey (upwards of $10–$20 per sq. ft.), but for most standard projects, carpet is the less expensive material. For example, a mid-grade carpet might be $4 per sq. ft. versus a mid-grade hardwood at $8 per sq. ft.
Installation Costs: Carpet installation is also cheaper. Carpet installers might charge about $0.50–$1 per sq. ft. for installation (often reflected as a per-room fee or included in the carpet purchase at a retailer), whereas hardwood installation typically costs $3–$8 per sq. ft. as noted earlier. Using the earlier example of a 16 × 20 room (320 sq. ft.), you might pay around $320 for carpet installation but around $1,000–$1,500 for hardwood installation in the same room.
Longevity and Value: Upfront costs don’t tell the whole story. Hardwood floors last decades longer than carpet if well-maintained. Carpet usually needs replacement every 8–10 years (or sooner in high-traffic or stained areas), whereas solid hardwood can be refinished and last 50+ years. Over the long term, you might replace carpet multiple times, spending more in aggregate than the one-time cost of hardwood. Additionally, hardwood flooring can increase your home’s resale value. Buyers often prefer hardwood, and homes with hardwood may sell for a higher price. Carpet, even new, does not add the same value. Thus, while carpet vs hardwood cost favors carpet in the short term, hardwood could be more cost-effective over the life of the floor and in boosting property value.

Bottom line: If your main concern is the lowest immediate cost, carpet wins out as the cheaper option. But if you consider durability and return on investment, hardwood flooring is often worth the higher upfront cost. Many homeowners choose to invest more now for hardwood in main living areas and use carpet in low-traffic or bedroom areas to balance cost and comfort.

Tips to Save Money When Replacing Carpet with Hardwood

Upgrading to hardwood floors can be expensive, but smart planning can trim the costs. Here are some money-saving tips:

Do Your Own Prep Work: As mentioned, removing the old carpet yourself can save roughly $1–$2 per sq. ft. that you'd otherwise pay a contractor. You can also save by moving furniture out of the room and pulling up tack strips or nails ahead of time. The less work installers have to do, the lower the labor charge.
Shop Around for Materials: Hardwood flooring prices can vary between suppliers. Compare quotes from local flooring stores, big-box home improvement stores, and online retailers. You might find sales or clearance deals on quality hardwood. Also consider engineered hardwood instead of solid – it often costs less and can look just as good on the surface.
Choose a Cheaper Wood Species or Grade: You may love the look of exotic hardwood, but opting for a more common species like oak, hickory, or maple can significantly cut costs. Similarly, hardwood comes in different grades (select, #1 common, #2 common, etc.) – lower grades have more knots or color variation but are cheaper and can still be beautiful when finished.
Consider DIY Installation for Engineered Floors: If you have some handyman experience, how to install engineered hardwood is worth looking into. Engineered wood often uses click-lock or tongue-and-groove boards that can be floated over an underlayment with no glue or nails, making it one of the more DIY-friendly hardwood options. Installing flooring yourself can save the labor cost entirely. However, be honest about your skill level – mistakes in installation can be costly to fix. A compromise is to do part of the work: maybe you handle simple areas, and hire pros for tricky cuts or staircases (a partial DIY approach).
Mix and Match Flooring Choices: Perhaps you don’t need to replace all carpet with hardwood. To manage the budget, install hardwood in the high-traffic, high-visibility areas (living room, entry, kitchen, hallways) and use carpet or a less expensive flooring in bedrooms or basements. This way you still get the elegance of hardwood where it matters most, without the full-house price tag.
Plan for Off-Season or Bulk Deals: Contractors and flooring companies may offer better prices in their slower seasons (often winter) or if you are doing multiple rooms at once. It doesn’t hurt to ask about any promotions, financing options, or discounts for larger projects.

By using these strategies, you can reduce the overall hardwood floor installation cost and make your project more affordable without sacrificing too much on your vision.

Affordable Alternatives if Hardwood is Over Your Budget

If after budgeting you find the cost to replace carpet with hardwood is too high, there are a few alternative flooring options that give a similar look for less money:

Engineered Hardwood: As discussed, engineered wood is a top layer of real hardwood over plywood. It costs less per square foot (often $3–$7 for good quality engineered planks) and is easier to install than solid wood. It provides the look of hardwood and can sometimes be refinished once or twice. It’s also more resistant to humidity and can be installed in places like basements where solid wood isn’t recommended.
Laminate Flooring: Modern laminate floors can mimic hardwood convincingly with photographic woodgrain layers. Laminate is typically $1–$4 per sq. ft. for materials, making it one of the cheapest ways to get a wood-look floor. It’s also DIY-friendly with click-together installation. While laminate isn’t real wood and may not add value like hardwood, it is durable, scratch-resistant, and great for families with kids and pets. Just note laminate isn’t as water-resistant as other options (though there are water-resistant laminates available).
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Vinyl plank flooring is another budget-friendly choice that looks like hardwood. LVP ranges from around $2–$7 per sq. ft.. It’s 100% waterproof, which is a big advantage in kitchens, bathrooms, or basements. Vinyl is soft underfoot and low-maintenance. High-quality LVP can even have textured surfaces that feel like wood. This flooring won’t boost resale value like real wood, but it often fools people at first glance and can be a smart choice in moisture-prone or high-traffic areas.

By choosing one of these alternatives, you could replace carpet throughout your home at a fraction of the cost of solid hardwood. Some homeowners even mix these materials with hardwood – for example, real hardwood in the main areas and a matching waterproof vinyl in wet areas – for a balance of cost and performance.

Conclusion

Replacing carpet with hardwood floors is a home improvement that comes with a significant upfront cost, but it delivers enduring beauty, easier maintenance, and long-term value to your home. The exact cost to make the switch depends on your material choices (from economical engineered wood to premium oak or exotic hardwood), the size and complexity of the project, and whether you handle any work yourself. On average, expect to invest a few thousand dollars for a single-room project, with prices scaling up for larger spaces or whole-house flooring makeovers. By understanding the cost breakdown – materials, labor, removal, and extras – and using the money-saving tips and alternatives outlined above, you can plan a project that fits your budget. In the end, many homeowners find that the timeless elegance and durability of hardwood flooring make it well worth the cost. With proper planning, you’ll soon step from that old carpet onto gorgeous new hardwood floors that you can enjoy for decades to come.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Carpet with Hardwood Flooring?