Herringbone floor help

I am about to start renovating a postwar 1100 sq ft 2bd/2ba downtown. My goal is to try to add character without going over the top inappropriate given the building's actual age. One idea we have been throwing around is to replace the floors (currently they are 1950s/60s parquet). What is a reasonable cost to replace the floors with a herringbone pattern? We already have a contractor on board... [more]

I am about to start renovating a postwar 1100 sq ft 2bd/2ba downtown. My goal is to try to add character without going over the top inappropriate given the building's actual age. One idea we have been throwing around is to replace the floors (currently they are 1950s/60s parquet). What is a reasonable cost to replace the floors with a herringbone pattern? We already have a contractor on board (floors were not part of our original scope but now they might be) who says it will be about $20k of labor alone PLUS materials ($14k of labor if we do traditional plank). This seems like a lot since we would have to add materials (how much would that be?), plus other added costs such as replacement of base boards and door casings, etc. Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a materials supplier? Contractor recommends prefinished flooring. Is this a bad idea? What is the real cost savings with prefinished over traditional hardwood that can be sanded and stained? Does it look tacky? I hate hate hate laminate... which I realize is different than prefab, but I would be sad to have a prefab floor look remotely like laminate when this is all said and done. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much! [less]