How much should I pay to have my wood floors refinished?
The average cost to refinish wood floors ranges from $600 to $5,000. But how much you should pay depends on a variety of factors, including size, location, material costs and prep work. Here’s a quick look at cost estimates depending on the total square footage:
| 100 - 250 sq. ft. | $600 |
| 251 - 500 sq. ft. | $750 |
| 501 - 750 sq. ft. | $1,601 |
| 751 - 1,000 sq. ft. | $2,100 |
| 1,001 - 1,500 sq. ft. | $2,350 |
| 1,501 - 2,000 sq. ft. | $3,500 |
| 2,001 - 3,000 sq. ft. | $5,000 |
To find out exactly how much it will cost to refinish your wood floors, contact the best hardwood floor refinishers near you and ask for free cost estimates.
For more information about pricing, read “How much does refinishing hardwood floors cost?”
Is refinishing hardwood floors worth it?
Refinishing your hardwood floors has many benefits for homeowners, both short- and long-term. For example, it can immediately improve the value of your home by appealing to future buyers. You might also save money in the long run, as damaged floors require expensive maintenance and may even need to be replaced. And a professional floor refinisher will have the tools and equipment to refinish your floors safely and efficiently.
Talk to the top-rated hardwood floor refinishers in your area to find out if refinishing your floors is a good idea for your home.
How long does it take to sand and refinish hardwood floors?
It typically takes between two and five days to refinish hardwood floors, depending on the type of polyurethane you use (oil or water-based), and the size and condition of your floors.
For example, some flooring businesses may be able to sand approximately 1,500 to 2,000 square feet in one day or several hundred square feet in a few hours. Re-sanding floors with old finishes will usually take longer than sanding unfinished hardwood. It might also take longer to sand floors in older homes, floors that have sustained water damage or floors located in humid environments.
Contact the best hardwood floor refinishers near you to find out how long it will take to sand and finish your floors.
Is it cheaper to refinish or replace hardwood floors?
Refinishing your hardwood floors is almost always cheaper than replacing them entirely. New hardwood floors typically cost between $1.75 and $9 per square foot to install, or $1,500 to $10,000. Refinishing your floors will generally cost around $2.70 and $3 per square foot, or $600 to $5,000.
It’s always better to refinish your floors when they’re still in good condition rather than waiting until they have heavy damage and scratching. This will lower your costs in the long run, and it’s a great way to preserve your floors.
Contact the best wood floor refinishers near you to get an accurate cost estimate for your floors.
How much are oak hardwood floors?
Installing oak hardwood floors can add value and beauty to your home. The cost of hardwood floors is typically based on the overall square footage of your new floor, the type of oak you select, any repair work your subfloor requires prior to installation, and any demolition costs to remove your old flooring. Other factors that will affect your total cost can include the regional cost of labor and business overhead of your flooring company.
A flooring installation company may charge $3 per square foot for standard installation. For hand-scraped (higher-end) ¾-inch oak planks, the cost is approximately $7 per square foot, for a total cost per square foot of about $10 as long as no repair work is required. Standard oak planks are available from big-box stores for as low as $3 per square foot, so the quality of oak you want will affect your total project cost.
Are there ways to be safe if I hire a flooring professional when social distancing?
If you hire a flooring professional for an outdoor project, you may be able to avoid person-to-person contact with the pro. If you hire a pro for an indoor job, avoid physical contact, sanitize surfaces and use virtual payments like PayPal, Venmo, Google Pay and Square Cash App to complete transactions instead of using cash or checks. Determine a strategy with the flooring professional when you contact them.
Does a flooring professional need to enter my home?
If the flooring project is located inside your residence, performing the job would require the flooring professional to enter your home. This is not recommended by the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if a flooring project takes place in a separate location outside of your home, the flooring professional will not need to enter your home.
Talk to flooring professionals in your area to see if it’s necessary for them to enter your home. If so, you might want to postpone the project until social distancing guidelines are relaxed by the government.
Can I use digital payments to pay for floor installation, replacement or repairs?
Many local flooring professionals offer digital payments to conduct transactions for floor repairs, installation, replacement and more. This trend has been increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is prompting flooring professionals to take payments through Venmo, Square Cash, PayPal, Google Pay, Zelle and other convenient platforms.
To ensure you can safely pay for the service, contact the professional beforehand and ask which services are acceptable. Take any measures necessary to comply with guidelines on social distancing.
Do flooring professionals offer remote or virtual services?
Because flooring work has to be done in-person, flooring professionals are typically unable to perform work virtually. If you come across a pro's profile that states they're offering remote services, message the pro to see what those services include.
If you plan to get indoor flooring installed once the pandemic is over, you can ask potential flooring specialists if they host virtual consultations through video calls and digital messaging. Compare flooring professionals in your area online to find the right fit, and book an appointment.
How can I find out if a flooring professional is considered an essential COVID-19 service provider?
To find out whether a flooring professional is considered an essential service in the current coronavirus pandemic, consult your city or state’s government website. To get a sense of the national recommendations, check CISA’s Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19 webpage.
This page lists 16 different infrastructure sectors that are officially considered essential during this time. However, not all jurisdictions follow CISA’s definitions of critical infrastructure. Ultimately, you should consult with your local government.