If your old flooring is looking worse for wear, you might be interested in refinishing it. But how much will this cost per square foot? The cost of refinishing hardwood floors can vary by geographic location, the size of the project, and many other factors. Geographic location is a major factor in determining how much it will cost to refinish hardwood floors, especially if you are thinking about hiring professionals in your area.
The average price for refinishing a hardwood floor nationwide is $1,783, with a usual range of $1,075 to $2,503. However, there is a good probability that your floor will be anything but average, and your exact prices may vary based on a number of factors, particularly the cost and availability of labour in your location.
Average expenses range from $3 to $8 per square foot, although they might change depending on the difficulty of the work and the overall size of the area you wish to have refinished. If you hire a professional to refinish your entire house, the cost per square foot may be lower; however, if only one room needs to be redone, the cost may be higher.
Wood stair treads typically cost between $40 and $75 to refinish. 2 Due to the small surfaces’ need for intricate, time-consuming work, the price is expensive.
Factors that Influence the Price to Refinish Hardwood Floors
Homeowners can keep within their budget by figuring out how much it will cost to refinish their hardwood floors. The size, location, labour, material costs, prep work, sanding, staining, coating, and finishing of the hardwood flooring will all affect the cost, which may be higher or lower than the national average.
Home or Room Size
The cost of refinishing the hardwood floors will increase with the size of the room where they are located. The typical cost per square foot to refinish hardwood floors is $3 to $8; for homeowners who select a dustless restoration procedure, the cost rises to $5 to $8 per square foot.
Labour
Typically, labour costs range from $3 to $8 per square foot. The amount of floor preparation required, the accessibility of the area, the amount of sanding required, and the location of the home all affect the cost of labour. To verify local costs, homeowners might perform a search for “floor refinishing near me.”
Sanding
Sanding hardwood floors can cost anywhere from $0.50 to $3 per square foot on average. The majority of the space is sanded using big drum sanders, and the perimeter is sanded using belt sanders.
Finishing or Coating
The final stage is a topcoat after the hardwood floors have been prepared, sanded, and stained. Even coatings of polyurethane with a water or oil base are applied. The cost of an oil-based coating is $20 to $40 per gallon. This needs about 24 hours to dry, and it will eventually turn amber in colour. A gallon of water-based coating costs between $25 and $50.
Materials
For refinishing hardwood floors, you’ll need a drum sander, a sanding belt, a variety of tools for prep or repair work, vacuums, plastic sheeting, stain, and topcoat. It will take more stain and topcoat to cover larger areas than smaller ones. Materials are expensive; for instance, homeowners must fork over $50 to $80 daily or $100 to $200 weekly to rent a drum sander.
Geographic Area
Geographical factors such as a home’s location can affect the cost of wood floor repair. The cost of labour and materials will be much higher for homes located in urban regions with high costs of living. Similar principles apply to different parts of the nation where the cost of living variations can be significant.
Setting Up the Room
Cleaning, replacing any damaged wood boards, and repairs are all part of preparing hardwood floors for refinishing. The quality of the hardwood flooring will determine how much prep work is required.
Cost of Hardwood Flooring by Type
The procedure, equipment, supplies, and length of time required to refinish a hardwood floor are unaffected by the type of wood; hence, the cost of floor refinishing isn’t always impacted by the type of hardwood floor. Sanding hardwoods may require more caution, although the procedure is the same in general. Hardwood floor refinishing costs between $3 and $8 per square foot.
Mahogany
Mahogany floor refinishing will cost homeowners between $6 and $8 per square foot. Mahogany flooring requires a longer sanding process to protect the darker wood colour. It should be refinished by a professional to prevent harm.
Oak
The price per square foot for refinishing oak flooring ranges from $3 to $5. The majority of contractors have experience repairing oak, another popular hardwood flooring choice. Oak flooring doesn’t require any extra attention when refinishing because it is strong and can sustain heavy foot traffic.
Parquet
Parquet flooring refinishing expenses range from $3 to $5 per square foot as well. It is advised to employ a professional to repair this type of flooring because the wood grain can damage easily and runs in different directions.
Cherry Wood
The price to refinish cherry hardwood flooring ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot. The procedure for refinishing them is the same as for refinishing oak floors and involves sanding, cleaning, staining, and sealing. They are one of the most popular kinds of hardwood floors. Cherry refinishes exceptionally well since it naturally has a smoother texture than other types of wood.
