Do
you dream of having hardwood floors in your home in Brossard, Longueuil, or Saint-Lambert, but aren’t quite sure what your budget should be? That’s the question our customers ask us most often before walking through the door of our showroom. And that’s perfectly normal: the price of a hardwood floor varies depending on several factors, and it’s difficult to find precise, up-to-date figures for the Quebec market.
In this article, the team at L’Artisan Espace Design presents realistic price ranges for purchasing and installing hardwood flooring on the South Shore in 2026, as well as all the factors that influence the final cost. The goal: to help you arrive at your consultation with a clear idea of what to expect.
Price Ranges in 2026: What You Can Realistically Expect
For a hardwood floor installed by a professional team on the South Shore in 2026, you should generally expect to pay between $8 and $20 per square foot, including materials and installation. This wide range is due to the large variety of wood species, thicknesses, and finish levels available on the market.
Here is a reference table based on wood type and price range:
| Floor | TypeMaterial | ($/sq. ft.) | Installation ($/sq. ft.) | Estimated Total ($/sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Hardwood — Entry-Level (maple, oak) | $4 to $6$3 | to $5$7 | to $11Solid | |
| Hardwood — Mid-Range (white oak, hickory) | $6 to $9 | $3.50 to $5.50 | $9.50 to $14.50 | |
| Engineered hardwood — mid-range | $5 to $8 | $3 to $4.50 | $8 to $12.50 | |
| Exotic hardwood — high-end (walnut, cherry) | $9 to $15 | $4.50 to $6 | $13.50 to $21 |
Note: These prices are estimates based on Quebec market conditions in 2026. The QST and GST are added to these amounts. A free quote from L’Artisan Espace Design will give you an accurate price tailored to your project.
The 6 Factors That Influence the Final
Price
1. The Type of Wood Chosen
The type of wood is undoubtedly the most significant factor determining the material’s price. Local woods such as sugar maple or red oak are generally more affordable than exotic or imported woods. White oak, very popular for its warm tones and high durability, falls into a mid-range price category. Black walnut and American cherry, which are rarer and require more work to process, command significantly higher prices.
2. Board
width
Narrow boards (2 to 3 inches wide) are generally less expensive than wide boards (4 to 6 inches or more). The latter offer a contemporary, airy look that is highly sought after in modern homes on the South Shore, but their material cost is higher, and their installation sometimes requires more care to prevent warping issues.
3. Thickness and Type: Solid or Engineered
Solid hardwood (standard 3/4-inch thick) can be sanded and refinished several times over the decades. Engineered wood, consisting of a natural wood face layer over cross-laminated plywood layers, offers better dimensional stability in the face of humidity fluctuations typical of the Quebec climate. It is ideal for homes with radiant flooring or rooms with varying humidity levels.
4. The Area to Be Covered
As in most construction trades, the price per square foot decreases as the area increases. A 200-square-foot project in a single room will be proportionally more expensive than a 1,200-square-foot project covering the entire ground floor. Fixed costs for travel, installation, and finishing are spread over a larger area.
5. The condition and preparation of the subfloor
A subfloor that is in good condition, level, and solid greatly facilitates installation and helps reduce costs. On the other hand, if the subfloor has significant unevenness, areas of rot, or requires partial replacement, preparatory work will add to the bill. In some cases, applying a self-leveling compound is necessary before finishing the floor—a step that adds an additional cost of $1.50 to $3 per square foot.
6. The Complexity of Installation
A straight, simple installation will cost less than a diagonal, herringbone, or brickwork pattern. These layouts require more cutting, more labor time, and result in greater material waste. If you have many doors, complex transitions, or stairs to incorporate, the installation cost will increase accordingly.
Additional costs to keep
in mind
- Transition hardware (thresholds, transition pieces) between rooms or with other types of flooring: $15 to $45 per unit.
- Sanding and finishing if you choose unfinished wood: $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
- Removal and disposal of the old flooring: $1 to $2 per square foot.
- Baseboards and trim: $1.50 to $4 per linear foot, depending on the profile and wood species.
- Acoustic or insulating underlayment, if required: $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.
Hardwood vs. SPC vinyl: Is it worth the extra cost?
This question comes up often during consultations at AED. SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) vinyl is indeed less expensive per square foot—often between $4 and $9, including materials and installation—but hardwood offers several advantages that justify the investment for many South Shore homeowners.
First, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times, giving it a lifespan of 50, 60 years, or more with proper maintenance. Authentic wood also adds perceived value to your property when you resell it—a compelling argument in the Brossard and Longueuil real estate market. Finally, hardwood offers a warm, natural look that’s hard to match with synthetic products, even the very best ones.
FAQ — Cost of Hardwood Flooring on the South
Shore
What is the average price per square foot for hardwood flooring installed in Brossard in 2026?
For high-quality hardwood flooring installed by professionals in Brossard, expect to pay an average of between $10 and $15 per square foot, including materials and labor. Entry-level projects can cost as low as $7 to $9 per square foot, while high-end options (exotic woods, wide planks) can exceed $18 to $20 per square foot.
Does the installation price include subfloor preparation?
Not always, and this is an important point to clarify with your contractor. Some installation packages include basic preparation, but more extensive work—such as applying self-leveling compound or replacing a large section of the subfloor—is generally billed separately. At AED, our quote breaks down each cost item so there are no surprises.
Is prefinished hardwood more expensive than unfinished hardwood?
Prefinished hardwood generally costs more upfront, but it eliminates the cost of on-site sanding and finishing, which adds an additional $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot. Ultimately, the two options are often comparable in terms of total cost. Prefinished wood offers the advantage of a consistent finish and quick installation.
How much should you budget for a hardwood floor in a 250-sq-ft living room in Longueuil?
For a 250-square-foot living room in Longueuil with mid-range hardwood flooring (white oak, 3.25-inch planks), expect to pay approximately $2,500 to $3,750, including materials and installation, before taxes. When you factor in transitions, baseboards, and minor contingencies, a total budget of $3,000 to $4,500 is a prudent estimate for this type of project.
Have hardwood floor prices changed compared to 2024 and 2025?
In 2026, prices for common wood species such as oak and maple have relatively stabilized following increases linked to supply chain disruptions. That said, the cost of skilled labor continues to rise gradually in the South Shore region. It is therefore advisable to obtain an up-to-date quote rather than relying on figures from two or three years ago.
How much does it cost to sand and refinish an existing hardwood floor on the South Shore?
Sanding and refinishing an existing floor generally costs between $2.50 and $4.50 per square foot on the South Shore. This is often a very cost-effective option compared to a complete replacement, especially for solid hardwood floors in good structural condition. L’Artisan Espace Design offers this sanding service throughout the South Shore.
Do you have a project on the South Shore? Request a free estimate from the team at L’Artisan Espace Design.
