The cost of refinishing hardwood floors in Salt Lake City and other places in Utah falls within the national average of around $1,660, but it’s possible to spend at least $1,000 for a decent job.
You can spend as low as $580, but this can only apply to 200-square-foot floor space. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can hire a contractor for scuff-sanding the floor instead of sanding down the bare surface. This might only cost between $1 and $3 per square foot, including the price of a new coat application.
What to Expect
Once you have chosen a contractor for the job, you should expect them to follow at least four steps for the refinishing and recoating process. The first involves screening the floor, which is also known as buffing. Otherwise, you should prepare to spend $2 per square foot.
Damaged or stained wood requires sanding before applying the finish or when the floor’s polyurethane finish has a coated wax on top of it. This can be the first step if your floor isn’t suitable for a screen. Don’t attempt to save money by doing this on your own, as there is the risk of leaving large scratches on the surface.
The next step involves staining the hardwood floor, but professionals might skip this process if you are content with the existing color. Finishing or coating will be the final step, and the cost of the material usually ranges between $25 per gallon and $40 per gallon depending on the type.
When to Do It Yourself
Refinishing a hardwood floor by yourself is possible. However, you should be familiar with the different types of equipment and materials for this project. DIY homeowners should have a floor buffer, vacuum, an orbital and a drum sander, a respirator and a floor edger. You can rent any of these vital tools, but it’s better to buy some smaller things, like sandpaper and polyurethane finish.
Remember that refinished floors in rooms shouldn’t be occupied for up to seven days after you complete the job. This downtime can be shorter when you hire a professional, so consider this when you plan a budget. Overall, a DIY refinishing may cost at least $640.
If the expenses of refinishing a hardwood floor exceed more than half of a replacement, it might be more practical to consider the latter. This can save you money in the long-term since it’s likely that you would need to refinish the floor once again sooner or later. You should replace a hardwood floor that has been handed down for countless times, as the surface is already too thin for another finish.
In the end, when choosing a flooring contractor for hardwood refinishing, you should ask for at least three quotes from different professionals before picking the best one. Remember that you should not base your decision on the cost alone since hardwood is an expensive material that it can be difficult to repair after any post-refinishing problems.
