How Much Does It Cost to Install Solid Hardwood in a 12x18 Room?
Updated July 2026 · Pricing data from Floormath's flooring cost model
At 12 feet by 18 feet, you're covering 216 square feet. Across the 7 hardwood product tiers in Floormath's pricing model, a professionally installed job in this room costs $1,607–$4,631. The typical mid-range project comes in around $2,579.
Cost by hardwood product tier for a 12x18 room
| Product tier | Material | Installed range | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak — Domestic | $5.49/sf | $1,607–$2,849 | $2,168 |
| Hard Maple — Domestic | $6.49/sf | $1,844–$3,086 | $2,406 |
| Engineered Oak — Stable | $6.49/sf | $1,628–$3,086 | $2,298 |
| Hickory — Hardest Domestic | $6.99/sf | $2,012–$3,383 | $2,579 |
| White Oak — Premium Domestic | $7.49/sf | $2,012–$3,621 | $2,698 |
| Brazilian Cherry / Exotic | $9.99/sf | $2,536–$4,631 | $3,346 |
| American Walnut — Luxury | $10.99/sf | $2,773–$4,631 | $3,583 |
Totals include 10% material waste and professional installation.
Where the money goes at 216 sq ft
Three inputs set your total. Tier ($3.49 to $14.99/sf material across the lineup) is the lever you control. Labor — around $918 for a mid-range install in this room — is set by your local market. And waste: installers order 10% over, which these numbers already include, so the table above is the check-out price, not a teaser.
See your exact 12x18 room cost with your state's labor rates
Run the free calculator →Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to floor a 12x18 room with hardwood?
The budget tier (Red Oak — Domestic) installed professionally starts around $1,607. Installing it yourself removes the labor line entirely and can cut the total by 30–45%.
How long does a 216 sq ft hardwood install take?
A professional crew typically completes a single 216 sq ft room in half a day, plus removal time if old flooring is coming out.
Will my state change these 12x18 room prices?
Materials barely move by state, but labor does — Floormath adjusts installation from 0.80x in the cheapest markets to 1.25x in the priciest. On this room that swings the labor line by up to ±$230.