Hello,

I'm brand new to hardwood flooring. I just bought a condo (1100sqft) in the north Los Angeles County area and would like to get some beautiful floors. This floor looked beautiful. How much can someone expect to pay to install this?

Also, I can't find much 'noob friendly' info about how to choose the right flooring, making sure your installer and everyone is up to snuff, what to look for. Where would you guide a brand new noob or what mistakes have you learned from? Thanks!

edit: Also, does it get a lot more expensive to get some designs in the hardwood floor? Is it something I could do myself or for something this nice, I should hire a pro?

Depends on what you expect from it as far as doing it yourself. Few, very few can (professionals included) manage an installation like that without totally losing it. I see precision, patience, and craftsmanship written all over that floor including the high gloss finish...the latter not the ideal finish sheen either if you are very particular.

Expect to pay? LA? $20 per square foot would be the minimum from my guessing position when the word condo is thrown in. Doesn't look like a common hardwood either.

Designs? Like prefabricated borders and medallions?

Try this for starters..

http://www.czarfloors.com/borders.asp

These guys are at the lower end of the price scale (high end quality wise) because there are no middlemen. If you go through a dealer, prices can easily double.

I always thought these pages were helpful for noobs...

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... /types.htm - engineered/solid, custom etc.
http://hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwoodin ... rranty.htm - talks about avoiding problems before they start.
http://hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwoodin ... -watch.htm - what to look out for with installers

yEA that's a select grade herringbone walnut with a soldier row boarder with a high gloss finish. 20 bucks minimum in LA probably closer to 30 a sf. Not something I would hire a hack to do, thats a very difficult project.

Oh wow hahaha thanks guys, even just asking if it's something a noob can hack must have pretty dang funny. I think I will pass on getting that until I get closer to being a pope myself, maybe then I can afford it

If I may piggy back, what is a good value hardwood floor that might cost perhaps half that, or anything that might be a good sweet spot in terms of pricing? Is there even a 'sweet spot' in hardwood flooring or is it basically you just get what you pay for? I know I am about to jump from ultra high end to ultra low end with Bamboo, but do you guys consider that to be a great value for the price? I'm looking at the top of the line, bottom of the line but still acceptable, and hopefully a good compromise.

Thanks again!

(also thanks Ken for the link, checking it out, very helpful)

Great choice!

LOL, yes, this is one of the most difficult floors to install and expensive to purchase.

I think Ken's links are good ones. And, I saw your follow up comment.

A good question to understand before you go any further is what type of subfloor you have, esp if it's a condo - plywood or concrete. Plywood is better for hardwood installation and will give you more options (and reduce your costs).

Oak, of course is your basic hardwood and can be stained to most colors including one similar to the picture you have above.

Debbie, aka The Flooring Girl

Thanks Debbie! I'm going to rip out a corner of the carpet and find out right away