Hardwood flooring is beautiful, durable and timeless. It also tends to be pricey, especially compared to synthetic flooring options like vinyl or laminate.

The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice looks and quality to work within a tight budget. Say ‘no thanks’ to cheap flooring and get the hardwood you crave – without breaking the bank – by following this simple advice.

1. Do Your Own Installation

For the experienced do-it-yourselfer, the best way to save money on hardwood floors is to do the installation yourself. Professional installation and removal of your old flooring can make up as much as half of the cost of your new floors. But, please, don’t attempt to do the installation if you have no idea what you’re doing. If you mess up, you’ll have to hire a contractor anyway, plus you’ll be out all that money for materials.

2. If You Can’t, Shop Around

If you have to hire a professional, spend some time shopping around to get the best price on installation. Get quotes from four or five different contractors, at least. You’ll be surprised at how much prices vary from one contractor to another.

A word of caution, though: Don’t necessarily hire the guy with the lowest price, especially if the quote seems too good to be true. Do some background research on the companies you’re considering to make sure they’re reputable. Ask for references and check their records with the Better Business Bureau. If the installer you pay never shows up or does a poor job, you’re not exactly saving money.

3. Shop Online

You can save money on hardwood flooring by purchasing online through warehouses or direct sellers. Often, you’ll pay significantly less than in retail stores because there’s no middleman. However, it’s never a good idea to buy flooring without inspecting it first. Request free samples of any flooring you’re thinking of buying before committing to a purchase – any reputable direct seller will be happy to oblige. Colors and grain patterns can look very different online than they do in person.

4. Hunt For Closeout Deals

Keep an eye out for closeout or clearance sales, both in stores and online. A company may have ordered too much of a certain product, or the company may be trying to get rid of a discontinued product. Following flooring stores on Facebook is a great way to find out about these deals. Many stores advertise these deals via social media, allowing the first customer who sees the deal to snatch it up.

Keep in mind, however, that purchasing closeout flooring means you won’t be able to reorder the same product in the future. If you run out of materials during installation or a few boards are damaged a couple years down the road, you’re out of luck.

5. Save on Shipping

Any time you can pick up hardwood flooring, rather than having it delivered, you’ll save money. Hardwood is heavy and expensive to ship – plus, fuel is expensive these days. Shipping can cost as much as 25 percent of the total purchase price.

If you’re really ambitious (or budget conscious), you can arrange to pick up flooring at the trucking terminal, where it is normally loaded for transport. Of course, you’ll need a truck of your own to haul all of the flooring home.