Cost of refinishing hardwood floors and 5 things to know before having your hardwood floor refinished.

Floor refinishing is a process that takes planning and preparation. Know what to expect before beginning the process in your home. Also the cost of refinishing hardwood floors. There can be a large difference in price from one contractor to another. If the cost is really cheap it is probably because they use cheap products and may not be insured or carry workman's comp. If they don't have this and something happens in your home it is on you. Always make your contractor have their insurance company email or fax proof of insurance to you directly. The average cost down here in South Jersey is around $3.00 a sq ft. for a quality hardwood floor refinishing company.

Don't be afraid to unlock the beauty hiding in those dingy wood floors. Knowing what to expect during a hardwood floor refinishing project may be the key to moving forward:

 

Do some research - on our main web page at www.extremefloorcare.com we have a consumer awareness guide for hardwood floor refinishing. You don't have to become an expert on wood floors. But it's wise to learn enough that you can properly evaluate your contractor before, during and after the job. 

 

Hire the right contractor

Plan to interview at least three contractors, and remember that cost is not the sole or best measure of a good contractor. Ask for and take the time to contact references. Examine a portfolio of each contractor's work. Make sure that anyone you hire is properly insured and licensed, and that every important detail is written into the contract. Good planning and communication will make the job go more smoothly and help you avoid any bad surprises.

 

Reasons to leave during the job

If your wood floor refinishing or installation job is extensive and you want it done in one job, it might be best to stay elsewhere until the project's done. Reasons to leave:

 

Furniture will have to be moved from room to room or out of the house entirely.

There will be some fine dust, no matter how well an area is sealed off but we do clean everything up before we leave.

Odors from stain and polyurethane can remain in the air for several days, some poly blend polyurethanes can smell in your home for a long time.

And even though most floors can be walked on the day after the job is complete no furniture can be returned for 72 hours.

Keep in mind that a flooring job can take two to five days, but the specific length depends on several factors:

 

How much flooring is involved.

How quickly the contractor can move from room to room.

The extent of any damage and wear to the old floor.

Your specifications, combined with the contractor's requirements.

What to know if you stay

If you choose to stay, here are some of the things you can expect:

 

The job begins after the room is fully cleared. The contractor will sand the old finish off the floors, repair any damaged areas and ensure all wood dust is cleared from the floors. Once we coat the floors we don't want doors opening and closing until the floor is dry.

The equipment used in refinishing floors is noisy.

Stain is often applied and must dry until the next day before a coat of polyurethane can be applied, we use Dura Seal stains because they are dry by the next day.

When stain is fully dry,  two coats of polyurethane coating are applied, and that, too, can involve a strong odor. At Extreme Floor Care that is why we use a product called Dura Seal, it is a 100% oil based product and the smell dissipates in a few days.

Once your job is complete you can walk on the floors the next day but no furniture back be returned for 72 hours.