Find a Hardwood Pro >>. Hardwood floors start at around $3 per square foot for an out-of-the-box product from a major retailer or home improvement store. Custom, exotic or high-end floors can cost $15 or more per square foot. In most cases, budget anywhere from $4 to $8 for materials. Installation usually costs another $3 to $5 per square foot, and removal and haul away of your old flooring costs about $2 per square foot.