How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Hardwood floors are beautiful in any home. But over time, they can become scratched, scuffed, or dull. Refinishing your hardwood floors is an excellent way to renew their original look and extend their lifespan.
However, how much does it cost? On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $3 to $8 per square foot for a professional refinish, which means from $200 for a small room to $8000 for an average house. However, the actual cost can vary depending on different factors.
This article will break down what those factors are and how they affect the overall price of your project. We’ll also provide some tips on how to save money on hardwood floor refinishing.
Keep reading to learn more about the cost to refinishing hardwood floors and how you can get the most bang for your buck!
Factors Affecting the Cost of Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Several factors can influence the final cost of refinishing hardwood floors. Here are some key things to consider:
Is It Better to Refinish or Replace the Hardwood Floor?
When deciding whether to refinish or redo hardwood floors, several factors come into play. Here’s a detailed look at the pros and cons of each option, along with the associated costs.
Refinishing
- Cost-effective: Refinishing can be significantly less expensive than replacing. The price to refinish hardwood floors is about $3 to $8 per square foot.
- Enhances appearance: Refinishing can breathe new life into dull or worn hardwood floors. The sanding process removes scratches and minor imperfections, while a fresh coat of stain and sealant restores the wood’s natural beauty.
- Can address minor damage: Refinishing can fix shallow dents, small gaps between planks, and mild discoloration.
- Environmentally friendly: You’re preserving existing materials instead of introducing new wood into your home.
- Limited repairs: Refinishing can’t fix major damage like deep gouges, extensive warping, water damage, or rot. If your floors have these issues, replacement might be necessary.
- Disruption: The refinishing process involves sanding, staining, and applying sealant. This can be noisy, dusty, and disruptive for a few days.
- Limited style changes: Refinishing won’t change the wood species, plank size, or layout of your floor. If you’re looking for a dramatic aesthetic shift, you’ll need to replace the floors entirely.
Replacing
- Complete overhaul: Replacement offers a fresh start. You can choose a new wood species, plank width, and stain color to completely transform the look and feel of your space.
- Fixes major damage: If your floors have significant water damage, warping, or rot, replacement is the only way to ensure a structurally sound and beautiful floor.
- Increased value: New hardwood floors can significantly boost the resale value of your home.
- Costly: Replacing hardwood floors is a significant investment. How much does it cost to resurface wood floors? Material and installation costs can vary depending on the wood species you choose but expect to pay $5-15 per square foot, which can be considerably more than refinishing.
- Disruptive: Removing and installing new floors is a major renovation project. It can take several days to complete and will likely require you to vacate the room or even the entire house during the process.
- Waste generation: Replacing floors creates a lot of wood waste that needs to be disposed of properly.
Average Cost of Refinishing Hardwood Floors vs Replacing Depending on the Materials
| Type of Hardwood Flooring | Average Refinishing Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | $3 - $5 | $5 - $10 |
| Maple | $4 - $6 | $6 - $11 |
| Hickory | $3 - $6 | $6 - $12 |
| Pine | $4 - $7 | $6 - $10 |
| Bamboo | $3 - $6 | $5 - $9 |
| Brazilian Walnut | $4 - $8 | $8 - $14 |
| Acacia | $3 - $5 | $6 - $10 |
| Ash | $3 - $6 | $6 - $10 |
| Cork | $3 - $4 | $4 - $8 |
The costs for refinishing hardwood floors made of the most popular materials generally range from $3 to $5 per square foot, and up to $8 for more expensive materials. On the other hand, replacing hardwood floors can cost anywhere from $4 to $10 per square foot and much higher, largely varying based on the type of wood and the complexity of the installation process.
When Should You Refinish Your Hardwood Floors?
While refinishing hardwood floors breathe new life into them, it’s not something you need to do every few years. Here are some signs that tell you it’s time to call a professional:
Ways to Save Money When Refinishing Your Hardwood Floor
By following these tips, you can keep your hardwood floor refinishing project affordable and breathe new life into your beautiful hardwood floors.
Should You Refinish Hardwood Floor Yourself or Hire a Professional
Refinishing hardwood floors can refresh your home, but deciding whether to do it yourself or hire a professional is crucial. Here’s a detailed look at the pros and cons of each method, along with the associated price ranges.
Refinishing Yourself
- Cost-Effective: DIY can be significantly cheaper, and you can save $1,000 and more.
- Personal Satisfaction: Getting the work done yourself can be rewarding and give you a sense of perfection.
- Flexibility: You can work on your schedule and take breaks as needed.
- Time-Consuming: The process can take several days, depending on the size of your floor.
- Skill Level Required: Proper technique is essential for a quality finish. Mistakes can be costly to fix.
- Physical Labor: Sanding and refinishing are physically demanding tasks.
- Potential for mistakes: Sanding through the hardwood or applying the finish poorly can lead to costly repairs or a complete redo.
Hiring a Professional
- Expertise: Professionals have the experience and skills to ensure a high-quality finish.
- Efficiency: They can complete the job faster, often in a single day.
- Warranty: Many professionals offer warranties for their work.
- Peace of mind: They have the expertise to handle unexpected issues and are insured in case of any accidents.
- Higher Cost: Hiring a professional can be expensive, with costs ranging from $2 to $5 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the job.
- Less Control: You won’t have as much control over the process or schedule.
- Scheduling: You’ll need to work around the professional’s schedule, which may not align with yours.
How and Where to Find the Hardwood Floor Refinishing Pro Near You
Finding the right professional for your hardwood floor refinishing project is crucial. First of all, talk to friends, family, or neighbors. Personal recommendations can be a great way to find a reliable contractor. Ask about their experience with the refinisher, including the quality of work, communication, and overall project timeline.
Also, to find a convenient and reliable option, consider using HomeBuddy. This is an excellent service for finding a dependable hardwood floor refinisher in your area. They vet professionals to ensure quality and reliability. Here’s how HomeBuddy stands out:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Refinishing hardwood floors may not be necessary if the floors are in good condition with only minor scratches or wear. If the damage is superficial, a thorough cleaning or a fresh coat of finish might suffice. However, if the floors have deep scratches, water damage, or significant discoloration, refinishing is recommended.
- Refinishing hardwood floors is mostly cheaper compared to replacing. The cost to sand and refinish hardwood floors ranges from $3 to $8 per square foot, while replacement can be significantly more expensive, depending on the wood type and installation costs. Refinishing can also add value to your home and is a cost-effective way to enhance its appearance.
- Hardwood floors should be refinished every 7 to 10 years, depending on the level of traffic and wear. This frequency helps maintain their appearance and protect the wood. However, if the floors are well-maintained and in a low-traffic area, they may not require refinishing as often.
- The process of refinishing hardwood floors typically takes 3 to 5 days. This includes sanding, staining, and applying multiple coats of finish. The exact time can vary based on the size of the area, the type of finish used, and the drying time required between coats.
- Yes, refinishing hardwood floors can significantly increase the value of your home. Homeowners can expect to recoup 100% of the refinishing cost at resale, and in some cases, even more, making it a worthwhile investment.
- The most efficient way to clean hardwood floors is by dry mopping, sweeping, or vacuuming regularly to remove light dust, dirt, and pet hair. For deeper cleaning, use a damp mop with a mild cleaner designed for hardwood floors, and avoid excessive water as it can damage the wood.
