How Much Does It Cost To Refinish Hardwood Floors In 2025?
If you’re staring at dull, scratched, or sun-faded wood floors and wondering how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors, you’re not alone. In fact, refinishing is one of the most Googled home renovation questions of 2025.
But here’s the problem: most blogs serve up generic price ranges—$3 to $8 per square foot—and stop there. At Sandover Hardwood Floors, we believe you deserve more than numbers pulled from a calculator. You deserve clarity, transparency, and insider guidance drawn from decades of refinishing floors across homes just like yours.
Let’s cut through the noise and unpack how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors, what drives the price up (or down), and how to make sure every dollar you invest pays you back in beauty, durability, and resale value.
The Real Question Behind the Price
When homeowners ask how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors, they’re really asking:
How much space am I refinishing?
What kind of wood is it?
How damaged is it?
Do I want a quick fix, or a transformation that lasts decades?
Unlike national averages, Sandover’s process starts with a personal consultation. We look at the unique story of your floors—because a 1940s oak in North Vancouver doesn’t behave like a 1990s engineered maple in Kitsilano.
Square Footage: The Multiplying Factor
Size matters. Whether you’re refinishing one room or your entire home, square footage is the foundation of how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors.
100 sq. ft.: $300–$800
400 sq. ft.: $1,200–$3,200
1,000 sq. ft.: $3,000–$8,000
Here’s where we stand apart: at Sandover, larger projects often come with bulk-rate pricing, meaning the more space you refinish, the better value per square foot you’ll receive.
Wood Type: Not All Floors Are Created Equal
Oak is affordable. Maple is tough. Mahogany is luxurious—but costly. This spectrum is why how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors can swing so widely.
Oak & Cherry: $3–$5/sq. ft.
Bamboo & Parquet: $3–$6/sq. ft.
Maple & Mahogany: $6–$8/sq. ft.
Our craftsmen know how to treat each species with the respect it deserves, ensuring the grain, hue, and integrity shine through without unnecessary sanding or staining.
Damage Level: The Hidden Cost Driver
A lightly scratched floor is one thing. A warped, gouged, or water-damaged floor is another. Repairing boards before refinishing can add $200–$600, but it’s often unavoidable.
At Sandover, we combine repair with refinishing, saving you time, money, and the heartbreak of seeing a damaged section ruin your final look. This is why homeowners trust us when calculating how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors.
Request a floor repair and refinishing quote
Sanding: The Foundation Step
Sanding can cost $0.50 to $3 per square foot depending on how deep we go. Light buffing for minor scratches? Affordable. Heavy-duty sanding for decades of wear? Pricier—but worth it.
Our dustless sanding technology means you won’t live with clouds of dust for weeks. That peace of mind doesn’t always show up in competitor quotes—but it should.
Staining: The Color Reset
Do you want to enrich the natural tone, or completely change the look? Staining adds $1–$3 per square foot, but it’s also where the magic happens.
Sandover’s color-matching expertise ensures your stain not only looks stunning but complements your home’s style. It’s this attention to detail that turns a cost question—how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors—into a design conversation
Finishing: Protection That Pays Off
The final topcoat—oil-based, water-based, or acid-cured—creates the barrier that keeps your floors beautiful for years. Costs vary from $20–$100 per gallon depending on finish type.
Here’s our secret: we guide you to finishes that balance beauty with lifestyle. Got kids or pets? Water-based dries faster and resists scratches. Want a deep glow? Oil-based adds warmth and durability.
Start your refinishing project with the right finish
Labor: The 80% You Don’t See
Labor often makes up 80% of how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors. Why? Because great floors aren’t just sanded—they’re sculpted, layer by layer, by experienced hands.
Sandover doesn’t outsource. Every refinisher is part of our trained in-house team, ensuring consistent quality from start to finish.
Traditional vs. Dustless Refinishing
Traditional refinishing is cheaper ($3–$8/sq. ft.), but leaves dust. Dustless refinishing is cleaner ($5–$8/sq. ft.) and healthier.
At Sandover, dustless is our standard. Competitors may call it “premium.” We call it non-negotiable. Because no homeowner should have to choose between fresh floors and fresh air.
Add-On Costs You Might Forget
Furniture moving ($20–$50 per room), carpet removal ($1–$5/sq. ft.), and subfloor repairs ($3–$10/sq. ft.) can sneak up on you. Competitors bury these in fine print.
Sandover? We put every line item upfront so you know exactly how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors—before a single board is touched.
Request your transparent, all-inclusive quote
Refinish or Replace?
Replacing hardwood costs $6–$12 per square foot plus labor—two to three times the cost of refinishing. Unless your floor is beyond saving, refinishing wins every time.
We help you decide honestly. If replacement is truly needed, we’ll tell you. But nine times out of ten, refinishing saves thousands.
DIY vs. Professional Refinishing
Sure, you could rent a sander and DIY for $500–$1,000. But a single mistake—like sanding too deep—can force you into a full replacement costing $7,000+.
Hiring Sandover means precision, safety, and results that elevate your home’s value. It’s the smarter investment in the long run.
How Often Should You Refinish?
On average, every 7–10 years. High-traffic homes may need it sooner. The beauty of hardwood? With proper care, you can refinish it multiple times over a lifetime.
That longevity is why so many homeowners research how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors—because the ROI is unbeatable.
Schedule routine refinishing with us
The Resale Value Advantage
According to industry data, refinishing offers one of the highest returns of any renovation project—recovering up to 147% of its cost in resale value.
Think about that: every dollar you invest could return $1.47 when you sell. Few renovations can match that.
Why Homeowners Choose Sandover
Most competitors quote a price. We deliver a transformation. Our promise is simple:
No hidden fees.
Dustless technology.
In-house craftsmen.
Honest advice—refinish, repair, or replace.
When it comes to how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors, the real answer is: it costs less when you do it right the first time.
Q&A: Refinishing Hardwood Floors
How much it cost to refinish hardwood floors on average?
On average, it ranges between $1,100 and $2,700, or $3 to $8 per square foot. Smaller rooms may be closer to $600, while a full home refinish could exceed $6,000 depending on the wood type, floor condition, and finish.
What factors affect how much it cost to refinish hardwood floors?
The main factors include square footage, type of wood, condition of the floors, sanding depth, stain selection, and the finish applied. Additional costs like furniture moving, subfloor repairs, or carpet removal can also influence the final price.
Can I save money by refinishing hardwood floors myself?
While DIY refinishing may cost $500–$1,000, it carries risks. Incorrect sanding or staining could damage the wood permanently, requiring a full replacement that costs thousands more. Professional refinishing ensures the investment is protected.
How often should hardwood floors be refinished?
Most hardwood floors need refinishing every 7–10 years, though high-traffic areas or homes with kids and pets may require it sooner. Proper care and routine cleaning can extend the time between refinishes.
Is it cheaper to refinish or replace hardwood floors?
Refinishing is significantly cheaper. Refinishing usually costs $600–$4,500, while replacing hardwood floors can run $2,500–$7,000 or more. Unless floors are severely damaged or warped, refinishing is the smarter financial choice.
Does refinishing hardwood floors increase home value?
Yes. Refinishing often has one of the highest returns of any renovation project, recouping up to 147% of the cost in resale value. Buyers see freshly refinished hardwood as a major upgrade.
How long does the refinishing process take?
Professional refinishing usually takes 2–7 days, depending on the square footage, number of stain coats, and type of finish. Oil-based finishes take longer to dry, while water-based finishes speed up the process.
Can I change the color of my floors when refinishing?
Absolutely. Staining allows you to shift the tone—richer, darker, or even lighter depending on the wood type. This adds to the cost (about $1–$3 per square foot) but can completely transform the look of your space.
Is dustless refinishing worth the extra cost?
Yes, especially for families with allergies, asthma, or small children. Dustless refinishing is slightly more expensive ($5–$8 per square foot) but prevents dust from spreading throughout your home, making cleanup faster and air quality safer.
Ready for Beautiful Hardwood Floors?
For over 80 years, Sandover Floors has been restoring, refinishing, and installing hardwood across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. From Vancouver and Burnaby to Surrey, Langley, and Chilliwack, we bring craftsmanship, care, and premium finishes to every project.
Whether your floors need a full restoration, a fresh refinish, or custom staining to match your style, our team makes the process simple, transparent, and stress-free. Homeowners have trusted us since 1939 to protect their investment and transform their living spaces with hardwood floors that last.
Metro Vancouver: 778-650-5108
Fraser Valley: 778-771-5571
