How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?

Hiring a pro to sand and refinish runs about $1,200 to $4,000 for an average area, roughly $3 to $8 per square foot. DIY with rented equipment is about $400 to $1,200.

Can I refinish hardwood floors myself?

Yes, with care. The sanding is the make-or-break step, and an orbital sander is more forgiving than a drum sander for a first-timer. Rushing or pausing the sander is what causes visible damage.

Refinish or replace hardwood?

If the boards are solid and have enough thickness left to sand, refinishing is far cheaper and keeps the original floor. Replace only if the wood is too thin, badly damaged, or you want a different species.

How many times can hardwood be refinished?

Solid hardwood can usually be refinished several times over its life, depending on thickness. Engineered wood has a thin wear layer and can often be refinished only once or not at all.

Water-based or oil-based finish?

Water-based finish dries fast, stays clear, and has lower odor. Oil-based ambers over time, takes longer to cure, and is slightly more durable. Many people choose water-based for the quicker, lower-smell job.

PROJECT GUIDE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost & Project Guide

Everything for your Hardwood Floor Refinishing in one place: cost by state, DIY vs. hire, the tools and materials, and a local pro if you want one.

NATIONAL AVERAGE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

HIRE A PRO

$1,200–$4,000

DIY COST

$400–$1,200

Typical project: Refinishing about 500 sq ft of hardwood

Skill levelDoable with careAnyone can take this on. The Blueprint walks you through it, step by step.

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Exact cost by zip →Tools & materials →Find a pro →

Source: 3+ benchmark aggregations (RSMeans, Angi, Fixr, HomeGuide) plus Submitted Quotes data

Plan your Hardwood Floor Refinishing

A quick checklist to get from idea to done. Want it as a printable PDF? Grab the full free version, emailed to you.

1Set a realistic budget using the cost range above.
2Check whether your project needs a permit in your state.
3Decide DIY or hire (see the breakdown below).
4Make your materials and tools list.
5If hiring, get three quotes and compare them like-for-like.
6Plan the timeline and order materials with a 10 percent buffer.

Get the full free Hardwood Floor Refinishing checklist, emailed as a PDF →

Tools and materials for a Hardwood Floor Refinishing

What you will actually buy. We flag what to rent versus own so you do not overspend on a one-time tool.

Materials

Sandpaper (multiple grits) · 1 set
Stain (optional) · 1 to 2 quarts
Polyurethane finish · 2 to 3 coats
Wood filler and tack cloths · 1 set

Tools

Drum or orbital floor sander · rent or buy
Edge sander · rent or buy
Applicator, brushes, and respirator · rent or buy

See all the tools and materials worth buying →

Pro tips for your Hardwood Floor Refinishing

The mistakes that cost DIYers the most, and how to stay ahead of them.

Pausing a drum sander mid-floor and gouging it

Skipping grits, so scratches show through the finish

Not removing all dust before finishing

Rushing recoats before the previous coat cures

Should you DIY or hire for Hardwood Floor Refinishing?

It depends on three things: your skill level, your time, and your tolerance for the riskiest parts of the project.

When DIY makes sense

→You have prior experience with similar home improvement projects
→The scope is well-defined and doesn't involve hidden structural work
→You can dedicate multiple days without rushing the job
→You're comfortable pulling a permit and scheduling inspections

When to hire

→The project involves electrical, plumbing, or structural elements
→You're on a hard deadline (sale, rental, weather window)
→Mistakes would be expensive or dangerous to fix
→Your jurisdiction requires a licensed contractor for permit sign-off
→You haven't done this type of work before

DifficultyModerate

Doable with some project experience and comfort handling permits and inspections.

Not planning to DIY? Find a local Hardwood Floor Refinishing pro →

What drives the cost of Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Materials

The single biggest material variable is your product choice. Sand and refinish (full) and Screen and recoat (light refresh) sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum, a decision that can shift your materials budget by 40–60%. Key line items include sandpaper, stain, polyurethane finish, each priced per unit and sensitive to regional supply-chain conditions. Bulk purchasing and timing your order outside peak season (spring and early summer) can reduce material costs by 10–15%.

Labor

BLS occupational wage data shows interior-trade crews earn $28–$52/hour depending on metro area, and most hardwood floor refinishing jobs require a two- to three-person crew for at least one full day. Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of the total project cost. Project complexity, custom details, tight access, or non-standard configurations, adds crew time and can push labor costs well above the national average.

Site conditions

Slope, soil type, and existing-structure condition are the three site factors contractors price most aggressively. Demolition or removal of old materials adds dumpster and disposal fees that rarely appear in online estimates. Local code requirements, permit fees, required inspections, and jurisdiction-specific material standards, can add $200–$1,500 to any project before a single tool is lifted.

Rather hire it out?

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Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in your state

Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost varies a lot by state. Open your state for locally calibrated hire and DIY numbers.

Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in Michigan →Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in California →Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in Texas →Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in Florida →Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in New York →Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in Pennsylvania →Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in Ohio →Hardwood Floor Refinishing cost in Georgia →

See all home improvement costs by state →