Hardwood Flooring Installation cost: Ames vs Davenport (2026)
The two metros aren't quite in sync on hardwood flooring installation: Ames sits 1% below Davenport, or roughly $9,750 versus $9,800 — about $50 apart.
Ames IA
Lower costTypically around $9,750
Davenport IA
Typically around $9,800
Ames vs Davenport: full breakdown
| Factor | Ames | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $9,750 | $9,800 |
| Estimated range | $5,550–$13,900 | $5,600–$14,000 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.93 | ×0.93 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $5,850 | $5,900 |
| Materials/equipment | $3,900 | $3,900 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for hardwood flooring installation, not quotes from a contractor.
How much should this gap actually matter?
1% is within noise for hardwood flooring installation — contractor selection and timing move the price more than which of these two metros you're in.
Hardwood flooring installation by type: Ames vs Davenport
Below, each hardwood flooring installation option is priced independently for both cities, with identical local labor, climate and permit logic applied — so the comparison holds up.
| Type | Ames | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered hardwood | $5,550–$11,150 | $5,600–$11,200 |
| Red / white oak | $6,050–$12,050 | $6,050–$12,150 |
| Maple | $6,500–$13,000 | $6,550–$13,100 |
| Hickory | $6,950–$13,900 | $7,000–$14,000 |
| Walnut / exotic (Brazilian cherry) | $8,350–$16,700 | $8,400–$16,800 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national hardwood flooring installation range for local labor, climate and permits.
Hardwood flooring installation by floor area: Ames vs Davenport
Hardwood is priced per square foot installed — roughly $6–$25/sq ft depending on the wood and labor. Measure the rooms you're covering; bigger jobs cost more total but often less per square foot.
| Size | Ames | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft (small room) | $1,500–$4,200 | $1,500–$4,200 |
| 500 sq ft (large room) | $3,250–$8,350 | $3,250–$8,400 |
| 1,000 sq ft (main floor) | $5,550–$13,900 | $5,600–$14,000 |
| 1,500+ sq ft (whole home) | $8,350–$20,400 | $8,400–$20,550 |
Hardwood flooring installation numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
Cheapest time for hardwood flooring installation in either city
Demand for flooring falls off right after the holidays, and stores mark down stock to move it — the same stretch when installers have the least competing work.
How should you budget a flooring project?
A flooring budget is really two budgets — the material on top and the subfloor work underneath. Our editors break down the trade-offs.
The material-value case
Luxury vinyl and laminate mimic wood grain convincingly, cost a fraction of the real plank, and shrug off spills that would warp hardwood. For a house with kids, pets and a firm budget, that trio is hard to argue with.
The longevity case
Solid hardwood costs more but can be refinished for decades and adds resale value. If you're staying put, the higher upfront price amortizes well.
The hidden-cost case
What blows up a flooring budget is rarely the flooring — it's the plywood or slab beneath it. Get leveling, old-floor removal and haul-away written into the bid, because a quote that skips them grows the moment the crew pulls up the first row.
The material decision should follow your timeline and traffic level; the budget decision should always include the subfloor. Skipping that line is the single costliest mistake in a flooring job.
Ames vs Davenport
Is hardwood flooring installation cheaper in Ames or Davenport?
In 2026, hardwood flooring installation is cheaper in Ames at about $9,750, versus $9,800 in Davenport — a difference of about $50 (1%).
Why does hardwood flooring installation cost more in Davenport than Ames?
Labor rates explain most of it — 0.93 in Davenport vs 0.93 in Ames. A cold climate versus cold accounts for the rest.
How much is hardwood flooring installation in Ames, IA?
Expect to pay $5,550 to $13,900 for hardwood flooring installation in Ames in 2026, averaging around $9,750.
When is the cheapest time to buy hardwood flooring installation — and does it differ by city?
The best window is the same in both Ames and Davenport: Winter and the post-holiday January window, when demand drops and installers discount to keep crews busy — typically 5–10% off peak pricing. The most expensive time anywhere is an emergency replacement during late spring and summer.
Should I choose where to live based on hardwood flooring installation cost?
Rarely. The $50 difference is real but one-time, and you can often close most of it in Davenport by buying in the off-season and getting tighter, apples-to-apples bids. Ongoing factors — energy prices, climate and home condition — matter more over the life of the system.
Compare hardwood flooring installation in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik