Absolutely do it now so you don’t have to demo tile floor, match existing hardwood, deal with whether floor goes under cabinets, etc.

Is this engineered or regular hardwood? Is it site finished? Do you have examples of the quality of work.

The cost per square foot for the hardwood isn't excessive - depending on quality of course. I am paying approximately $8.00 per square foot for natural finish red oak floors - engineered with a fairly good wear layer and finish. It theoretically comes with a guarantee :-). I then am paying extra for the installation - because of the subfloor preparation, my installation is quite expensive so it is well over $8.25 per square foot installed.

The issue you have if you install tile is that it is fairly expensive and messy to remove and then the floor has to be prepped for the wood floors.

If I wanted hardwood in the kitchen - and given your design choices - I would not want the tile, then I would pay the upgrade charge. I am basing this on the hardwood floor being a good quality and based on what I wound up paying.

Are you installing the wood upgrade in the rest of the house? If so, then it would make no sense to wait and have wood installed only in your kitchen at a later date since you would incur the costs of tile removal; costs of laying down hardwood which isn't cheap for good quality wood and installation AND you would have to match whatever wood is installed in the rest of your home.

The same flooring through out - especially if it's open concept - tends to flow better. A talented designer can mix flooring to great effect. But, sans designer, it's good to go with continuity. Go for the wood. 12 x 12 tile with white or gray grouting, sounds dismal.

It is just regular hardwood. I took this picture at a house which is almost ready to be closed. I felt given the options, hardwood is a better choice but felt $9.20 to change from one standard material to another was a bit much. Thank you, I think I will upgrade to hardwood.

Even if the cost is on the high side (IDK if it is,) you are better off getting what you want now, rather than paying just as much or more later, plus dealing with the mess.

I think you’ve made the correct decision for all the reasons posted above.

FWIW, $9.25 for installed hardwood is nit excessive although you are coming from a state of mind that thinks you should get a credit for not using the tile. The tile being installed based on your description probably costs almost nothing and if the floor is site finished, installation costs are higher than large ceramic tiles.

Also, this is how the developer makes money since he knows that almost no one is going to opt for tile because it doesn’t make either economic or design sense. He is not charging so much for the hardwood that it is truly price gouging and the cost to replace it down the road would be at least what he is charging for the installation during construction.

Save miney on those upgrades that are relatively easy to change or are truly much more expensive than it would cost for you to do fpdown the road.

Another vote for all hardwood.

It’s 9.25 additional to the built in tile cost so probably closer to 13-15

Osb??? Can hardwood be put on top of OSB? My installer insisted on ply-wood.

for $9 sq ft, you could get a really, really nice quality hardwood instead of the cheap crap they're going to give you. natural solid white oak, stain on site, would be available for that price.

12x12 tiles are out. any way you could do your own flooring after you move in? will they credit you back anything?

demoing tile after you move in will be more costly and way messier.

How about if you go along w/the tile install but, go out and buy your own hardwood and have them install it. will they do that? If not, what if you bought your own tile? They're going to install tile anyway, so what if had them install something you bought?

Personally, although hardwood is lovely, I do not like it in the kitchen. There are many beautiful and inexpensive porcelain tiles out there that you can select to flow nicely with the color of the wood.

The main concern with wood in the kitchen is water. Too many places for a water leak that can damage the floor.

Whatever you choose, I wish you much happiness in your new home!

Hi, rantontoo. Yes, hardwood can be placed over OSB (oriented strand board). OSB's vulnerability is swelling at the edges when exposed to moisture. Other than that, it appears to out perform plywood or at least be comparable with plywood. Builders like it because it's cheaper.

Hardwood in a "wet" area has always been a subject of debate.

Bob Vila

Thank you everybody! All of you have made valid points and addressed every concern I had regarding this decision. In my case I am dealing with gouching builder, very limited selections and poor workmanship based on what I have seen.

We have decided to upgrade to hardwood. It will match the flooring in the rest of the main floor.

That is a great plan! Congratulations on your new home!

@Beth,

You have made some valid points. I did check the option of supplying the tile but the builder will not install it. Even if the builder had agreed, I would be a bit hesitant after seeing the workmanship. No matter what option I choose tile or hardwood, I am not 100% happy with my decision. A part of me wants to just take the tile in the kitchen and have it changed to hardwood later. As per the plans, the area we are looking at is roughly 300sft but I am being charged for 350sft.

Also the kitchen we are getting is very basic, painted slab doors. I am going to hange the kitchen after we close.

so you don't like the workmanship or the tile, but you have to choose something? don't they offer something simple like vinyl sheet or vinyl tile? that would be easier to take out once you move in. or what about if they just just prepped the subfloor for you and left it at that? do you have to have some flooring in there before you take ownership? basically the builder is holding you hostage.

do not pay the upgrade charge for the wood flooring unless you really, really like it. (I guarantee you they are not charging you $9 more a sq ft and giving you $9 sq ft quality wood planks).

If they flat out refuse to work with you, maybe go out to your house on the day of install and tell the tile guys you're ripping it up as soon as you move it. tell them to use mastic instead of thinset (mastic takes a bit longer to harden) and also advise them to only use a tiny bit on the tile. just enough to temporarily hold it in place (but easy enough to demo out once you move in).

If you think you are going to upgrade the flooring, then I agree with Beth that you should consider the cheapest vinyl or carpet they offer, so that it can more easily be removed after moving in.

I know wood is loved by so many homeowners and it was all one could get 100 years ago but kitchens today have too many waterways, i.e., fridge, pot fillers 1-2 dishwashers, 1-2 sinks. A dishwasher problem can go on for days before you realize you have a problem. A tall faucet can throw a "curve ball" too. Dishwasher hose leak and faucet back flow were surprises that would have ruined my floor if I went with my first choice of vinyl tile. I am so glad I listened to my contractor who suggested ceramic tile. I you love wood how about ceramic tile that looks like wood. Personally, I believe many homeowners are going to realize why their grandparents tiled their old wood floors many years ago. Water will ruin wood. Lastly, I feel confident that my floor is really clean because I can use grease cutting cleaners on my floor if needed and my kitchen will smell clean. Wood won't give you that "clean kitchen smell" because you can only clean it so deep. Wood also wears over time. Are you going to make your guests walk around barefoot?

@Beth

Vinyl is not a choice available at all. I will try your later advise of speaking to the guys installing.

@rene kent

Our tile options are very limited. Basically to force an upgrade to wood.