How do I prepare the area to be sanded?

Before sanding, vacuum the surface to be treated and remove any dust or debris. All furniture and other personal belongings must be removed from the rooms. This will give you plenty of space to move around and avoid damaging any delicate surfaces. Also, use sheets or plastic to cover surfaces you don't want to get dusty or scratched during sanding.

How are Total Floor Sanding and Polishing services different from your other wood floor refinishing services?

TFSP's floor sanding and polishing services are ideal for floors with minor scratches, discolouration, wear, or a build-up of dirt and cleaning solutions. These services require only one day and are less expensive than sanding.

What floors can be sanded?

All hardwood floors can be sanded, but not all types of flooring are suitable for sanding. For instance, some engineered wood floors have a thin veneer that can be damaged during the sanding process. So, before you start a sanding project, it's important to know what types of floors can be sanded and which ones can't.

When should I schedule my furniture to be moved back in after polishing?

It's hard to say how long you'll need after polishing until your floors are completely dry. The best way is just to be careful and avoid walking on them. But if that isn't an option, ensure no furniture has been replaced 72 hours later because of scratches or ruts left behind by dragging items across the floor before uplifting them onto their new spot!

How many times can I re-sand the floor?

You can typically re-sand a floor 3-4 times before you need to replace it. Of course, this depends on the thickness of your wear layer and how much traffic your floors get. If you have a high-traffic area, you may need to replace your floors sooner.

How long after polishing floors can you walk on them?

When you polish floors, you apply a coating that helps protect them from dirt and dust. This coating needs time to dry completely so that it will be effective in keeping your floors clean. You should wait at least four hours after polishing floors before walking on them. If you walk on the floor before it has dried, you could damage the coating and make it more difficult to keep your floors clean. Waiting at least four hours after polishing will give the coating enough time to dry completely.

Price Evaluation: How Much to Get Floors Sanded and Polished

By: TFSP On: March 05, 2024 In: Article Comments: 0

You’ve been thinking about getting those old hardwood floors sanded down and polished to a shine for a while now.

It’s a project that could update the look of your home. But you know it will be costly. So how much to get floors sanded and polished?

So, this blog will break down the average costs per square foot for experienced floor sanding Melbourne and refinishing hardwood floors.

And we’ll give you some tips to get the gleaming floors of your dreams without completely blowing your reno budget.

Sanding and polishing floors can give your home a facelift. But make sure you understand the costs before diving in.

Evaluating the Cost of Sand and Polish Your Floors

Sanding and polishing hardwood floors can give them a fresh, glossy finish, but it comes at a cost.

The total price will depend on several factors, including the square footage of your floors, the number of coats of finish you want applied, and whether you need repairs or stain applied.

Square Footage

The larger your home and the more hardwood floors you have, the higher the cost. Contractors typically charge between $2 to $5 per square foot to sand and refinish floors.

For an average-sized home with 1,000 square feet of hardwood flooring, you can expect to pay $3,000 to $5,000 total.

Larger homes with 2,000 square feet or more flooring will likely cost $6,000 to $10,000 or higher.

Number of Coats

Most experienced floor sanding and polishing Melbourne contractors will apply two to three coats of polyurethane or lacquer finish for the best protection and shine. Additional coats will increase the cost by about $0.50 to $1 per square foot.

While more coats provide extra durability, they also mean longer drying times before you can walk on the floors and additional visits from the contractor.

Two coats are typically sufficient for most homes, but high-traffic or commercial areas may benefit from an extra coat.

Repairs and Staining

If your floors have scratches, water damage, or pet stains that need repairing before sanding, or if you want to change the stain colour, these additional services will add to the total cost.

Minor repairs and touch-ups typically start around $150, while more extensive board replacements can cost $500 or more.

Staining and re-staining floors generally range from $1 to $3 per square foot. These extras can significantly impact the overall price, often by $500 to $3,000 or more for larger jobs.

Between evaluating square footage, the number of coats needed, and any repairs or staining required, you now have a better idea of how much reviving your hardwood floors may cost.

Factors That Impact Sanding and Polishing Prices

The cost to sand and polish wood floors can vary greatly depending on several factors.

The type of wood, the current condition of the floors, the final finish you want, and additional services needed will all determine how much you’ll pay in the end.

Wood Type

Harder, denser woods like oak, maple and hickory typically cost more to refinish than softer woods such as pine or ash. Exotic and rare wood species are also usually pricier due to their premium material costs.

Generally, you can expect to pay between $3 and $8 per square foot for common domestic wood types and $5 and $12 per square foot for exotic imported woods.

Floor Condition

Floors that are badly scratched, stained or damaged will require more intensive sanding and treatments to restore, so your costs will be on the higher end of the price spectrum.

Floors that need basic sanding, re-staining and topcoat will be more affordable.

Any water or pet urine damage that needs to be addressed will also increase the project’s total cost.

You can expect to pay $3 to $5 more per square foot for floors in poor condition versus floors in good shape.

Finish Type

The final finish you choose, from matte to high-gloss, will impact the overall price. More coats of finish will also cost more.

A basic polyurethane or lacquer finish typically costs $3 to $5 per square foot.

Conversion varnish or acrylic-based finishes are $4 to $7 per square foot.

High-end finishes like acid-cured or moisture-cured urethane can be $6 to $10 per square foot or more.

Additional Services

Any extra preparations or treatments like floor patching, levelling, or water damage restoration will add to the total cost.

Staining the floors a custom colour or adding stain treatments like fuming or glazing will also increase the price.

Any add-ons like baseboards, transitions, or staircases that need refinishing will be charged on top of the main floor sanding and polishing fees.

In summary, you can expect to pay between $3 to $12 per square foot for professional wood floor sanding and polishing, depending on the specifics of your flooring and the services required.

Average Cost Ranges for Common Floor Types

When it comes to revitalising your home’s floors, understanding the average costs for various floor types is essential for effective planning.

Let’s delve into the specifics of floors and explore the average costs involved in sanding and polishing them to perfection.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are popular and expensive, ranging from $3 to $12 per square foot for sanding and refinishing.

The specific wood type and number of coats of finish can impact the total cost.

Tile Floors

Ceramic or porcelain tile floors cost $3 to $6 per square foot to polish. Polishing tile involves using fine-grit pads and polishes to buff the surface and restore the shine.

For heavily soiled or scratched tile, a deep cleaning and re-grouting may be needed first, increasing the cost.

Polished tile floors require occasional re-polishing to maintain the shine, typically every few years.

Stone Floors

Natural stone floors like marble, granite, and slate range from $5 to $12 per square foot to polish, depending on the stone type.

Softer stones like marble and travertine often require diamond polishing pads and additional steps like honing and sealing the stone to restore the surface.

Harder stones like granite may only need a basic polish. Grinding and re-honing the surface may be necessary for neglected stone floors before polishing, which can significantly increase the total cost.

Concrete Floors

Polished concrete floors start around $2 to $6 per square foot.

The polishing process uses progressively finer diamond pads to grind down the surface and open up the pores of the concrete, then polish it to a smooth shine.

Additional treatments like staining, scoring, and concrete sealing can increase costs. The final polish level, from satin matte to high-gloss, will also affect the total price.

Conclusion

Understanding the costs associated with sanding and polishing your floors is crucial for effectively planning your home renovation budget.

From evaluating square footage to considering additional services like repairs and staining, various factors can influence the project’s overall price.

While experienced floor sanding and polishing Melbourne may seem a significant investment, the rejuvenated look and added value to your home can make it well worth the expense.

When it comes to breathing new life into your floors, Total Floor Sanding and Polishing stands as the epitome of quality and professionalism.

Elevate your home’s ambience and value with our expert sanding and polishing services, ensuring lasting beauty and satisfaction for years to come.