Basic
$6.85 – $14 per sq ft
3/4 in. solid red oak strip, 2-1/4 in. wide, No. 1 common grade with more knots and color variation, nail-down, satin finish
How Much Does Red Oak Flooring Cost in Chicago, Illinois?
Solid red oak hardwood flooring supplied and installed (nail-down, standard prep).
Red Oak Flooring in Chicago, Illinois typically costs $8.05 to $16 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Red Oak Flooring in Chicago, Illinois
$8.05 – $16
per sq ftPrices in Chicago are 19.0% higher than the national average for red oak flooring.
National average: $7 – $14 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$8.05 – $16 per sq ft
3/4 in. solid red oak, 3-1/4 in. wide select grade with fewer knots, nail-down, satin finish
Premium
$10 – $20 per sq ft
3/4 in. solid red oak wide plank, 5 in. select grade, nail-down, sanded and finished with a matte topcoat
Cost Breakdown in Chicago
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $3.37 – $6.74 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $3.19 – $6.37 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0.90 – $1.80 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.60 – $1.20 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Chicago local market conditions.
Design styles
See how red oak flooring looks in each style, with photos of real projects by working designers.
Chicago style: Greystone traditional and industrial loft
Chicago's housing stock sets the style: greystones and two-flats call for traditional millwork, while converted lofts in Bucktown and the West Loop call for exposed brick, steel and open plan. Prairie School detail and mid-century bungalows are the third reference.
Work by Chicago designers first, then the styles Chicago draws from.
Built from
Industrial living room
Photo: Studio Code · Profile
Industrial bedroom
Photo: Studio MAK · Profile
Modern interior
Photo: Studio Novo · Profile
Contemporary interior
Photo: KADLEC Architecture & Design · Profile
Traditional living room
Photo: Emora Design Studio · Profile
Traditional interior
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Jennifer Taylor Design · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Studio Catherine Rose · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Studio Steidley · Profile
Cost Factors in Chicago, Illinois
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($3.15-$6.30 per square foot)
- Labor ($2.45-$4.90 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($0.84-$1.68 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($0.56-$1.12 per square foot)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs7.0% above avg
Labor costs30.0% above avg
Labor costs in Chicago run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- NerdWallet: Cost to replace hardwood floors, NerdWallet, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
Get Free Estimates in Chicago
Connect with local red oak flooring contractors in Chicago for personalized quotes based on your specific project.