Typical Costs. The cost for installation of a hardwood floor is usually quoted on a per-square-foot basis. The total cost of a given floor can vary greatly depending on the cost of the flooring material you choose and your location, but you can expect the range to be between $5 and $10 per square foot.looring material ranges in cost from about $3 per square foot for a low-grade wood such as ash to about $5 per square foot for a high-grade wood such as oak.