What is the average price to sand and stain floors?

Author: Desiree Wiegand II  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

The average cost of a professional floor refinishing project is $1,800, but the cost varies based on square footage and other factors. Flooring pros usually charge $3–$8 per square foot to refinish hardwood floors, so a single bedroom could cost $300–$800, while a whole home could range from $2,400–$6,000.

How much does it cost to sand and stain floors?

Refinishing process

Sanding: $0.50-$3 per square foot. Staining: $1-$3 per square foot. Recoating: $1-$2 per square foot.

How much does it cost for someone to sand floors?

Average Cost

For a 20-square-metre room in decent condition, expect to pay between £500 and £900. Larger, more damaged floors can easily climb to £2,000 or more.

How much does it cost to install 1000 square feet of hardwood floors?

Installing hardwood floors in a 1000 sq ft area typically costs between $7,000 and $25,000, with most homeowners paying an average of $16,000.

How much do contractors charge to install hardwood floors?

Hardwood floor installation will cost between $3 to $14 per square foot on average. The national average for a hardwood floor installation is $2,500 to $7,300. Affordable hardwood options include pine, which starts at $4.50 per square foot, while imported walnut hardwood could cost as much as $20 per square foot.

FAQ ANSWERED: How much does it cost sand and refinish solid hardwood flooring?

Is it cheaper to carpet or hardwood?

When comparing the cost of installing hardwood floors over carpet, quality hardwood flooring will almost always be a larger investment compared to carpet. Installing hardwood floors can cost between $12 and $20 per square foot installed, while carpet often cost about $6 to $12 per square foot installed.

How long does it take to sand and Restain floors?

Key Thought: The average time to sand and refinish the floors in your home is 3 to 6 days. The time it takes for hardwood floors to be refinished depends on many factors. These factors include the type of finish used, the floor's square footage, humidity conditions, species of wood, and any additional home prep work.

How much does it cost to put hardwood floors in a 12x12 room?

The national average cost to install hardwood flooring is $6 to $12 per square foot for labor and material fees. For higher-end wood and larger spaces, like if you're redoing your entire first floor in hardwood, you may pay more—possibly between $13 and $25 per square foot.

How much does it cost to sand and stain a house?

Square Footage of Home

You should expect to pay between $2 and $ 5 per square foot for the materials and labor. Consider that larger projects have the benefit of scale, which means you can use larger containers of staining material, and the tools you use will become a small aspect of the overall cost.

Why is floor sanding so expensive?

The Sanding Process: Labour and Equipment

Labor costs make up a significant portion of the overall price for sanding wood floors. Whether you decide to hire a professional or go the DIY route, the amount of work involved and the type of equipment used will directly affect the cost.

How much does it cost to sand and stain stairs?

As we've mentioned, refinishing stairs requires a lot of detailed, manual work. For this reason, it is much more expensive to refinish stairs than a floor, when you base it on cost per square foot. According to The Spruce website, the average cost of stair refinishing will run you $40 – $75 per stair, on average.

How much is it to rent a floor sander?

The average cost to rent a floor sander is $55, but it can cost between $25 and $70, depending on the type of sander and rental length.

What is the average price to sand and stain a deck?

If your deck only needs light sanding, you'll pay $1 to $1.50 per square foot, including staining. If the job requires heavy sanding, you'll pay $2 to $4 per square foot for sanding and staining.

Is it cheaper to refinish wood floors or replace?

Generally speaking, it is almost always less expensive to refinish your hardwood floors than to replace them. That's because replacing them involves paying for additional wood, the installation itself, as well as labor costs for tearing up and hauling away the existing hardwood.

How much is labor for flooring?

On top of materials, the cost of labor for flooring installation can run between $0.60 to $4 per square foot. It will depend on the type of flooring you choose and the difficulty and time it takes to install it.

How much is 200 square feet of wood flooring?

According to remodeling site Fixr.com, the national average cost to install hardwood floors ranges from $2,800 to $6,400 for a 200 square-foot room. That's at the cost of between $14 and $32 per square foot of hardwood flooring.

What flooring is best for pets?

Tile Flooring

Durable and truly timeless, porcelain tile, ceramic tile and stone tile have long been go-to options for pet owners. Here's why it's some of the best flooring for dogs: Benefits: Tile is a durable, long-life material.

Should I use a drum or orbital sander?

When you have deep scratches and dents on the floor which have to be removed, the drum sander is the best choice. For light sanding when you do not have any major and visible problem area, the orbital sander is a good choice.

What hardwood floors cannot be refinished?

Next, you will need to determine whether the wood floors in your house are solid hardwood or engineered wood. That is an essential distinction because engineered flooring cannot be sanded and refinished like solid hardwood flooring can.

Can you sand too much before staining?

Do not over sand or you may seal the wood so much that it will not take a finish. End-grains (areas where the wood has been cut against the grain), such as the front side of a table, tend to soak up more stain than other surfaces. Give end-grain areas an additional sanding to control the absorption of stain.

Do houses sell better with carpet or hardwood floors?

If you're thinking about selling your house, one upgrade that can increase your home's resale value is hardwood flooring. Potential home buyers may be looking for that extra bit of charm that wood floors offer.

What is the next best thing to hardwood floors?

5 Alternatives to Traditional Hardwood Floors
  • Cork Flooring. An increasingly popular choice for home renovations is cork flooring, a completely renewable alternative that is available in both tiles and planks. ...
  • Vinyl or Laminate. ...
  • Ceramic Tile Floors. ...
  • Bamboo Floors. ...
  • Carpet Tiles.

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