Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - What should it cost?

I was wondering... I am on the look for a contractor to come install some new wood floors for me.. I have recieved alot of bids and they are all so different. No 2 are even close in price. How should I determine what is the most accurate cost? Here's some info if anyone would like to tell me what price is right...

120 square feet of new floor to be layed, no old floor removal, nothing to move out of the way. I asked that they purchase the wood and I asked that they give me a separate bid if I purchased the wood. The wood to be pre-finished.

One of the contractors gave me a break down of a charge per square foot... What is a common per square foot charge for something like this? It is common to do this?

Any help would be great. Thanks!

Cost of labor and materials tend to vary from area to area. You will find that the cost of wood will tend to vary, too, based on the wood species, level of grade, quality of milling and finish, as well as warranty. You can get an idea of how much the wood will cost by shopping around at local dealers. This will give you an opportunity to learn about prefinished hardwood flooring and your different options.

While there you can also inquire about installation costs. Going with the least expensive installer may not be the best installation. Get references. Go see some of the jobs.

Make sure the wood is delivered to your home several days prior to installation and put in the rooms where it is going to be installed so that it can adjust to the temperature and humidity levels of your home. This is very important to assure that there will be no problems with the wood after it is installed. To learn more about hardwood installation so you can ask the proper questions of your installer, go to www.installingwoodfloors.com

To most woodfloor contractors 120' is more of a waste of time than a job. So they are probably bidding the time needed for trips to bid and to complete job. Square foot prices are figured in on jobs with a minimum square footage. Usually 1000' to average in problems that may come up. Look at the completed floors of contractors to see who is best.

I agree with the others... get references. If they won't give you any, don't use them.
We just had ours done and had a secret weapon..
Our neighbors buy their polyurethane from the guy we hired and had been in his house and seen his floors. Sold us! and he did a great job...
Only about 180 sq ft. but we will go back to him for other work too!

Curtis

Thanks alot everyone you have all been a real help. I appreciete all the advise and I will surely use them in my decisions.