How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors ? This process can be both complicated and costly , but there are ways to save .

Anthony Masterson

Hardwood floor bring magic spell and smasher to any house . However , they dorequire regular maintenanceto avoid looking worn , scuffed , or muffled . refinish the wood can breathe new life into this natural flooring textile , but it can be an expensive endeavor . How much does it be to refinish hardwood floors ? It motley ground on several factors , include the size and shape of the floor , wood eccentric , andfinishing choice .

Eat-in kitchen with chairs against white island and green cabinets

Credit:Anthony Masterson

While the DIY road will importantly reduce labour monetary value , you risk irreparable damage to the floors if you lack the experience and tools needed for the job . In this case , it ’s best to leave the project to the professionals .

If you ’re thinking aboutrefinishing your wood floors , we ’re partake in everything you require to know about the toll , as well as hint for save up money on the project .

Artem Kropovinsky is the founder and master clothes designer of Arsight .

retro kitchen table and hutch

Credit: Anthony Masterson

What to Know About Hardwood Floor Refinishing

With proper care , hardwood floorslast a long time . However , foot dealings , favourite scratch , casual clothing and tear , and accident can cause damage . refinish the wood offers airfoil - storey repairs to restore your base ’s aesthetic appeal . It is a low - cost alternative to total story replacement .

The procedure is reasonably aboveboard : refinish start with removing all article of furniture , windowpane intervention , and rugs . Then , the floor is check for any large trap and cracks , which are repaired using Ellen Price Wood makeweight . Floors are sanded to remove the current varnish , sealing wax , and stain , and once the stripped Natalie Wood and rude grain are visible again , floors are buff to remove any sanding marks . you may select toapply invigorated stainor vanish , accompany by a coat of sealant . Of of course , staining is n’t always necessary , but doing so refreshes the color and gives the way a raw spirit .

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Professional to Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Several factors regulate the monetary value of hardwood flooring refinish , include the size and shape of your floor , the consideration of the existing flooring , cloth , and labour . Generally , you could plan to drop under $ 10 per square foot when you take a professional .

" monetary value for refinishing hardwood   floors   generally range between $ 3 and $ 8 per satisfying foot , " says Artem Kropovinsky , father and master designer of Arsight . Keep in mind that large or complex labor unremarkably cost more . The toll can also increase if the elbow room has queer cornersor stairs .

" The area is a major consideration , " Kropovinsky says . " Larger blank space obviously involve greater use of cloth and project , increase cost . " He adds that the condition of the existing storey has a significant impingement on cost . Seriously damaged or drop floors need substantial preparatory work , and that can raise Department of Labor price . " Even the choice of finale and grime will affect prices , ” he says . “ High - grade , environmentally favorable , or alien finishing can increase costs . "

Cost Components to Consider

Labor

The average cost of labor is between $ 2 and $ 8 per square understructure , but this will vary greatly depend on where you live , the hearty footage , dry time , and the weather , sincelocal humidityaffects dry out time .

Material

cloth costs also vary base on the square footage of your distance and the case of stain or finish you prefer . Oil - base polyurethane close is generally less pricey , but it need a longer dry time ( up to 10 hours ) than urine - ground polyurethane . A water - based stopping point is typically more expensive , but has a shorter drying sentence ( 2–4 hour ) . culture stove in price from $ 20- $ 50 per gallon . For DIYers , the cost of material will also admit charter tools , including a smoother .

Moving Furniture

The piece of furniture in the room needs to be removed before starting the cognitive operation . The final price will increase if you ’re asking the professionals to move the furniture .

The Refinishing Technique

Refinishing hardwood flooring createsa deal of dust , so there are two refinish proficiency to regard : Traditional and dustless . Dustless refinishing require more specialized equipment to ventilate the home . The sander has a vacuum attached , collecting dust as it sands , which is convenient but lean to cost more . However , if you have allergiesor respiratory problems , this may be worth the Leontyne Price tatter .

Type of Wood Floor

While the cost to sand and terminate hardwood tends to be the same regardless of the kind of Natalie Wood , the monetary value fluctuates depending on each unique wood case . Some hardwood are more challenging to sandpaper and take longer , while others may require extra wax or stopping point . Also , alien or rarified woods type may need especial concern , adding to the final price . For example , refinishing orchestrate hardwood is typically sleazy than refinish maple or mahogany .

A DIY refinishing project saves you the childbed price , which reduces the full cost of the total project . However , if you lack the relevant experience and tools , you risk damaging your floor — and replacing hardwood floor is even more expensive than hiring a professional to refinish your live floor .

Kropovinsky warns that refinishing is not a beginner ’s project . " Do - it - yourself refinishing can be attractive on the surface , but precision and longevity are often miss , " he says . " In fact , the real economic value of professional refinishing lies in skill and equipment . It is more durable and aesthetically pleasing to have a professional goal . "

Tips for Saving Money on Hardwood Floor Refinishing

While some of the cost element ca n’t be avoid — like the size of it of your space and case of exist Sir Henry Joseph Wood floors — there are a few direction to save on professional story refinish .

There is quite a bit of discretion in choosing the finishes , and premium fabric are easy to cut back if you ’re on a soused budget . It ’s also smart to shop around ; postulate for quotes from multiple sources to make certain you are n’t overpaying .

" To avoid being ripped off , get quotes from several professional person to see to it a reasonable price , " Kropovinsky order . " But try not to calculate for prices that are too low . " When a contractor offers an absurdly low price , it hints that you should watch out for unexpected attention deficit disorder - ons , delay , and unforesightful cuts .

Frequently Asked Questions

On intermediate , it should take around 3 - 5 twenty-four hours to refinish hardwood floors . However , this timeline can exchange based on the size of the project , the case of Ellen Price Wood that is used , the consideration of the floors , and whether or not you hire a professional .

Generally , it is cheaper to refinish floors than to replace them . However , if more than thirty percent of the wood is damaged , then it will be more price - effective to replace the floors than to refinish them .

Yes , it is usually good to stay in the household while floor are being refinished . However , you will have tomove furnitureinto another room and make certain that there is right ventilating system so you are n’t pass off in any fumes .