in the orlando area the going rate seems to be
2.50/SQFT for installing
2.50/SQFT for sanding & finishing natural w/oil
.65-.95/SQFT for stain depending on darkness & species of wood.

None of my work is hardly ever bid at the same per sq ft, from project to project. There really isn't a one price fits all in my price list.

4.25 install
4.25 natural seal w/ Mega & 5.25 natural w Traffic & 6.00 custom stain W Traffic.

Is the flooring itself included in these prices? Or labor only?

Is the flooring itself included in these prices? Or labor only?
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Labor, sandpaper, sealer, stains and finishes only. For those prices. I'll add a 40% - 50% mark on what ever wood my clients choose. I tell clients to budget for $13.75 for labor and material. This gives them room above and below for site finished, or prefinished solid or engineered.

Your pricing is similar to mine. Isn't it amazing to hear stories about guys doing it all for $6.00 a ft, including the flooring? Are your prices typical of your area? Washington state?

It is surprising so many folks prefer to give away their labor.

I am the only contractor here locally (90 miles) that uses water bourn finishes. The city of Yakima is 75,000 and is in a rural area on the east side of Washington State. Know as the Palm Springs of Washington, it is a desert. There are 3 other established contractors they all use oil modified finishes. Lately there have been a few new contractors who have come in, but I don't know much about them.

I have yet to do a new construction job in 4 years. I was the first to implement a "dustless" system. Now one other contractor uses one on some of his jobs. Though, my customers are the only ones that do not have to leave their homes for the work to be done.

I have never felt any pressure to be the best price. I come from a background of carpet and vinyl and all of the retail stores would love for me to do their work. However, I am too busy now doing hardwood refinishing. There still is one designer who pays well and she is a friend who won't let me quit totally. Every now and again it makes for a nice break to get back to my roots for a break.

I have always thought that rather than try to beat my competition with price I would rather charge more and beat them with service and quality.

IMO, this is the ONLY way to be.

Canada, but I'll contribute anyways

$2.95/ft install (site finished only)
$3.50/ft prefinished install
$4.25/ft S+F
$5.75/ft refinish prefinished
$1.00/ft for light stains
$1.50/ft for dark stains

We are getting:

2.35-2.50 sq/ft refinish stain
2.15-2.25 sq/ft refinish stain

1.45 sq/ft install

anywhere from 7.50 to 8.50 sq/ft plywood, oak, install, sand and finish red numero uno deuce and a quarter brd
Red select 2 1/4 from 8.25-9.50 per sq/ft
More moo laa anytime we can get it, but with the recent financial crisis, we target more refinishing.
One state away in Kansas City, one of the nations biggest operations is drawing irrationally high prices, mainly because of the market share they control. Go figure.
People spending on credit. We are discontinuing the acceptance of all credit cards

Boy, I'm one of those guys that only gets $1.50 install $1.50 sand & finish w/ 2 coats of oil. For waterbase I get what ever the finish costs. I get an additional .25 for stain.

I live in Colorado and that is all we can get around here.

Geo

The question is...

Can you build a profitable business at those prices, or are you just getting by on a weekly wage, that someone else is selling for you?


Are you contracting, or subcontracting? Is your pricing the same for both?

Sounds like you need to expand your customer base. I find builder's don't want to pay anything, and also want the illegal labor, at the substandard price. Target real estate agents and interior decorators for BIG referrals. Tell'em NO, tell them you just did your taxes, and if you don't come up at least thirty cents a foot, your gonna fold this year. Is that two coats on the sanding?

Aladdin

I started out at 3.00 and that was ok for a while. But as the times have gone down, I am all the way at $1.75 ft for installation. I only do installation. It like pulling teeth to get that sometimes.