Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost And What Affects The Price

Hardwood flooring that’s scratched, dull or outdated doesn’t always require replacement. Most often, the hardwood floor refinishing cost falls between $3 and $8 per square foot, which means “average” homeowners who need a 1,000 square foot refinishing will probably spend in the vicinity of $3,000 to $8,000; with labor making up 75 to 80 percent of that number, it’s easy to see why budgets tend to vary wildly.

This guide will explain what tends to affect the pricing structure, what average homeowners tend to overlook when preparing their budget, and other practical considerations.

If you’re considering new hardwood floors instead of refinishing your existing ones, read our hardwood flooring cost pricing guide to compare installation costs.

Factors That Affect Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost

There are only a handful of elements that dictate whether your hardwood floor refinishing will fall closer to the low or high end of the average scale.

The Species and Condition of the Flooring Boards

While hardwood species like pine sand down relatively quickly, oak and hickory often require the use of extra abrasive paper and specialized equipment, while deep gouges or pet stains may necessitate the replacement of any compromised boards.

The Type of Finish and Stain you Wish to Apply

On the low end of the spectrum, oil based polyurethane tends to be a fairly cheap option that requires more labor due to its slow curing time, whereas water based urethane tends to be pricier but faster to dry and maintains a more natural look, Swedish finishes and eco friendly hardwax oil tend to be on the higher end.

Layout, Square Footage and Location

Smaller footprint rooms may have artificially inflated per square foot costs due to the equipment used, narrow architectural features like staircases that necessitate extra labor, and the higher labor cost that comes with living in a major metro area.

The Average Cost, By Square Footage

These average costs can serve as a useful reference when you’re preparing your own budget:

These are only estimates that don’t take into account any complications at the worksite, so be prepared to spend more if your floor has deep scratches or needs to be sanded.

A Breakdown of a Standard Hardwood Floor Refinishing Project

A standard hardwood floor refinishing project involves sanding down the existing finish, staining if desired, and applying a new coat of finish. The labor cost for sanding typically runs somewhere between $0.50 to $3 per square foot, with staining also falling in the region of $1 to $3.

Depending on the contractor, vacuuming to remove and debris from dust containment, furniture movement, and other considerations may fall under a separate fee. Always clarify if any of these would be an extra charge, as doing so could save you a noticeable amount of money.

Hardwood Flooring Refinishing Cost DIY vs Professional

It may seem like the ability to rent a sander for roughly $50 to $150 per day would eliminate the need for a more expensive professional refinish, but keep in mind that it will only take a couple of seconds of improper pressure to permanently mar the surface, adding hundreds of dollars to repair costs. 

A do it yourself hardwood floor refinishing may also be viable depending on the room; if you’re doing this as a weekend project, the small size of the room will affect the overall costs. If you’re looking for experienced help across multiple rooms or your entire house, a professional contractor will have specialized tools that can reduce overall costs.

Before starting a refinishing project, review the EPA’s guide to indoor air quality during home remodeling for advice on managing dust and indoor pollutants.

Refinishing vs Recoating vs Replacing

If your floor is structurally sound but just needs beautification, a screen and recoat is less expensive than a full sand job. Deep scratches or heavy discoloration will likely require the full sanding process.

Refinishing is the way to go when boards are rotted or water damaged or have been sanded more than once already. To refinish a 1,000 square foot floor costs $600 to $4,500 versus $2,475 to $7,030 to replace, a big difference.

Engineered hardwood can only be sanded if its top wear layer is thick enough to make refinishing viable.

If your project involves installing new flooring, explore our flooring installation cost guide to understand the costs involved.

How Long Does It Take To Refinish a Floor

An average 1,000 square feet house often takes anywhere between three to five days to undergo a full refinishing procedure and at least two to three more days for the finish to be fully cured, with the time needed being determined by a chosen finish. 

Large residences with high square footage or specialized finishes will naturally require more time; if you must place furniture back on the floor before it’s fully dry, make sure your contractor is aware of it.

Reducing Refinishing Cost with Smarter Budgeting

Always request itemized quotes to understand the cost breakdown proposed by your contractors. Renting equipment and doing the work yourself is a cheaper option, as well as planning the project during the off season.

In case your floorboards only need a light sanding, ask if it is possible to avoid a heavy sanding or recoating. Also, inquire about the possibility of getting multiple rooms finished for a lower price.

Questions To Ask Before Getting Hardwood Floor Refinished

Ask the contractor if finish coats are included, or whether dust containment or vacuuming is included, and how much they charge to replace compromised boards. Asking the right questions will help you determine a realistic budget.

It may also be worth asking how many coats of finish they will apply, how long it will take to dry, when you can return furniture to the floor, and whether the job comes with any guarantees.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the average hardwood floor refinishing cost?

Most often, professional contractors charge between $3 and $8 per square foot, with costs being determined by the species and the desired finish.

2. How long does it take to refinish 1,000 square feet?

Allow three to five days for sanding and a finish layer with an additional two to three days for curing the finish.

3. Is it cheaper to refinish instead of replace hardwood floors? 

Refinishing is almost always significantly cheaper than removing and replacing the entire floor system.

4. Is it possible to refinish engineered hardwood floors?

It is possible to refinish some types of engineered flooring, but the top layer has to be thick enough to allow for multiple sanding passes.

5. Is it worth the extra money to get dust free sanding? 

Many homeowners find that it’s worth the extra cost because it protects their furniture and HVAC systems from getting clogged with sawdust.

6. How often should you refinish hardwood floors? 

Most people only need to refinish every 7 to 10 years which helps keep long run costs affordable.

7. Should I rent the necessary equipment or hire someone to do it? 

Professionals are almost always going to provide a better return on your investment when it comes to anything bigger than just one small room.

The Bottom Line

Your room size, floor condition, and finish will impact your overall cost, but the average  hardwood floor refinishing cost per square foot falls between $3 and $8.

Ask a few contractors for an itemized estimate, be wary of extra labor costs, and ask the questions included when you are ready to request their services, and hardwood floor refinishing will go more smoothly.