What’s the Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?
The cost of refinishing hardwood floors ranges from $3 to $8 per square foot, with the national average totaling $4,733. The cost depends on whether professionals must sand down the floor, restain, and seal the wood — prices for this average $2 to $7 per square foot. If your hardwood’s stain is in good condition and you only need to add a top coat, you’ll pay as little as $.50 to $5 per square foot.
Signs It’s Time to Refinish Your Hardwood Floors
Refinishing hardwood floors helps restore their beauty while extending their lifespan. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to refinish your hardwood floors:
- Visible Scratches and Scuffs: Inspect the floor for deep, widespread, or detract scratches. Fixing scratches and dents is necessary before refinishing hardwood floors.
- Worn or Dull Finish: Dull, lackluster, or areas where the finish has worn away is a sign for refinishing. It restores their original shine and provides a fresh protective layer.
- Fading or Discoloration: Sunlight exposure can cause hardwood floors to fade or change color. Refinishing helps to even out the color and restore a uniform appearance.
- Water Damage or Stains: Consider refinishing if your floors have water stains, dark spots, or signs of water damage.
To Refinish or Replace: Which Is Cheaper?
Consider the existing floors’ condition, budget, and aesthetic preferences when deciding between refinishing or replacing. Refinishing includes material costs for sandpaper, stains, finishes, applicators, and repair tools. Replacing requires tearing up the old floors and buying new ones, which most often comes to be more expensive.
How Much Does DIY Hardwood Refinishing Cost?
A skilled DIYer needs $500 to $1,000 for materials, tools, and supplies to refinish hardwoods.
Renting a drum floor sander costs between $50 and $80 daily. Prices for sandpaper, nails, stains, topcoats, brushes, rollers, safety gear, and cleaning materials are worth considering. You could save thousands of dollars by refinishing your floors but run the risk of ruining them or doing a subpar job.
Factors That Determine the Cost of Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Professional vs. DIY
Hiring a professional requires paying for their labor and experience. The labor costs depend on the floor area’s size, the refinishing work’s complexity, and the local labor rates.
The DIY approach eliminates labor costs. With the right tools and materials, you can refinish your hardwood floors without professional help. It’s more cost-effective, especially for larger floor areas or more extensive refinishing projects.
Floor Size & Thickness
The total square footage of the floor area is a significant factor in determining the cost. Larger areas will need more time, materials, and labor, resulting in higher costs.
Refinishing hardwood floors ranges from $3 to $8 per square foot. It will, however, increase to $5 to $8 for homeowners using a dustless refinishing method.
| Room or Floor Size | Cost to Refinish Hardwood |
|---|---|
| 100 Sq. Ft | $300 to $800 |
| 256 Sq. Ft | $800 to $2,048 |
| 400 Sq. Ft | $1,200 to $3,200 |
| 1000 Sq. Ft | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| 2000 Sq. Ft | $6,000 to $16,000 |
Coating & Finishing
A topcoat is a crucial layer of hardwood floors. There are several coatings or finishings, each with a different price range.
| Type of Coating | Average Cost Per Gallon |
|---|---|
| Penetrating Oil | $40–$100 per gallon |
| Water-based Polyurethane | $25–$55 per gallon |
| Oil-based Polyurethane | $20–$45 per gallon |
| Acid-cured Finish | $50–$80 per gallon |
Type of Hardwood Flooring
The type of hardwood floors can impact the total refinishing cost. Some popular hardwood floors include oak, cherry wood, parquet, engineered hardwood, pine, maple, mahogany, and bamboo.
There isn’t a significant difference in the cost per square foot between flooring types. The slight variance, however, could impact the final estimate.
| Hardwood Type | Average Cost of Refinishing Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Oak | $3 to $5 |
| Cherry Wood | $3 to $5 |
| Maple | $6 to $8 |
| Pine | $4 to $7 |
| Bamboo | $3 to $6 |
| Parquet | $3 to $5 |
| Mahogany | $6 to $8 |
| Engineered Wood | $3 to $5 |
Condition of the Floors
The condition of the hardwood floors plays a role in the cost. You may need extra preparation if there is extensive damage, deep scratches, or unevenness. These include sanding, filling gaps, or repairing damaged boards. The extra steps increase the total project cost.
Other Factors
Additional Services
You will incur more costs if you need other services beyond basic refinishing. These services include repairing damaged boards, replacing floor sections, or adding custom design elements.
Carpet Removal
If the hardwood is beneath an old carpet, the contractor may charge an extra fee to remove it. Carpeting removal and disposal costs range from $0.25 to $1 per square foot.
Repairs
If a floor is damaged beyond a certain point, refinishing it won’t be effective. In this case, you may need to repair it before refinishing it. Refinishers offer this service at a higher cost than a handyman or carpenter.
Cleanup
Refinishing a hardwood floor is a messy process. Unless the cleanup is specified in the contractor’s bid, you may need to factor in the cost of a cleaning service. It is an extra expense that adds to the project’s total expense.