People ask us what refinishing costs per square foot, and the honest answer is that a per-foot number without seeing the floor is a guess. Here is what actually moves the price, and how we get to a real number for your house.
Why there is no price list on this page
Two floors of the same size can cost different amounts by thousands of dollars. One has been carpeted for thirty years and needs a light sand. The other has deep gouges, pet stains in the boards, a patched section from a renovation, and stairs. Publishing a flat rate would mean quoting the easy floor wrong in one direction and the hard floor wrong in the other.
The five factors that move the number
- Square footage. The obvious one, but stairs count as their own line of work because they are sanded and finished by hand.
- Condition. Deep scratches, dents, water damage, and old paint all mean more sanding passes, and some boards may need replacing before any finish goes down.
- Stain versus natural. A natural finish goes down after sanding. A stain adds a full day, a coat of its own, and the sample process first.
- Number of coats. Three coats is typical. Water-based systems may take four lighter coats.
- Repairs inside the scope. Board replacement, gap work, or a section patch, all quoted as part of the job rather than as a surprise later.
How we quote
The estimate is free, in your home, and itemized. We measure the rooms, check the thickness of the finish that is on the floor, and look for the repairs that only show up in person. Sand and finish estimates hold for 30 days. Installation estimates hold for 10.
If spreading the project out helps, financing is available.
Refinish or replace
If your floor is solid hardwood and structurally sound, refinishing almost always costs a fraction of replacement and adds decades of life. We will tell you plainly when a floor is past saving. We sell and install new floors too, so either answer is work we do, and you get the same straight talk either way.
Ready for a real number? Request a free in-home estimate or call (203) 264-5574.