Wooden Floor Restoration Cost

How Much Is Wooden Flooring Restoration?

The average cost of restoring wooden flooring is normally around £4 to £25 per m² or in the region of £240 for a complete restoration job within a medium sized room, although this will depend on the type of restoration required.

For instance, sanding a 10 m² space costs around £120 to £160, while the price to sand a 30 m² room ranges from £360 to £480. Whether you need sanding, oiling, varnishing, or staining to restore your wooden floors can also impact the final cost.

If you want to have it sanded and oiled, the cost will be approximately £18 to £23 per m² while sanding and varnishing is typically priced at £15 to £20 per m².

Other options include staining to improve the colour of the wood, which ranges from £4 to £8 per m², while gap filling costs anywhere from £4 to £25 per m².

A typical wood floor restoration cost will vary depending on the type of wood floor you have, with straight flooring being much more straightforward than parquet flooring restoration. The type of wood may also determine the cost with the most popular options, including oak, pine, and walnut.

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Wooden Floor Restoration Prices

Here is a price breakdown of the various types of wooden floor restoration practices for different floor sizes.

Wooden Floor Restoration Supply Costs

If you wish to restore your wooden floor on a budget, then you could always purchase the supplies yourself. To help you understand the supply costs, the table below sets out the prices for different wooden floor refurbishing products.

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Wooden Floor Restoration Labour Costs and Timescales

The majority of floor specialists tend to charge per m² depending on the job. However, some charge around £100 to £200 for the day.

The time frames for each job will vary, with sanding and refinishing usually taking most of the day. Oiling, staining, and varnishing can take 1 or 2 hours for an average-sized room, although you need to allow additional time for it to dry between coats in order for the job to be completed properly.

The timescales will, of course, increase for a larger room, which could take a full day to sand and treat.

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What Impacts Wooden Floor Restoration Costs?

There are various cost factors you need to consider when calculating the overall cost of wood floor restoration, including:

Type of Wood

One of the most critical factors you need to consider is the type of flooring that you wish to restore, as some are harder to sand than others. For instance, parquet flooring usually takes a lot longer to polish as extra care is required to ensure the pattern is not ruined. You also have to add additional protection to untreated wood or engineered wood to ensure it is long-lasting.

Size of Flooring

Another important factor is how much flooring you have, as the more you have, the more expensive the restoration will be. For example, the cost of sanding and varnishing a 10 m² room only costs around £150 to £200, while a 30 m² room is generally priced at £450 to £600.

State of Existing Wood Flooring

The condition of the floor itself is also a considerable element, as the state of the floor will determine how long the job will take. If you’re lucky, your wooden flooring won’t need a lot of work done to it, but in some instances it's a case of repairing the floor to make it safe before starting anything else.

If your floor is in bad condition, then you should double-check whether floor restoration is worthwhile or you are best opting for a brand new wooden floor installation. If you go down this route, then removing old wood flooring will cost around £100 to £200 a day, along with any waste disposal (costing from around £70 upwards).

Location of Property

Where you live is also an essential factor, as labour rates will vary depending on your location. For instance, tradespeople in London tend to charge around £220 per day while companies or labourers in the surrounding areas tend to set their daily rate at about £180.

Ease of Access

Some tradesperson may charge more if they have limited access to the floor, so they usually add costs on for clearing out furniture and items from the room to make the job easier. If you wish to save a bit of extra money, then you should consider clearing out the space yourself if you are capable.

Cost to Paint Skirting Boards

Another great way to enhance your floor’s aesthetic is by updating and painting the skirting boards. You can do this yourself or hire a professional, with the cost of painting skirting boards starting at around £200 to gloss skirting boards in an average-sized room.

This will not only make your floor look tidier but will also complement your wood flooring, especially if you use white gloss paint, which will stand out against a wooden floor.

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Wood Flooring?

If your wooden floor is far too damaged to be restored, then you may need to have it removed by a professional floor specialist, which generally costs around £100 to £200 per day. Once the old floor has been ripped up, they will then be able to help with installing a wood floor to replace the old one.

You can also do it yourself, although this may take a lot longer, and you need to be careful when removing the floor as you do not want to cause any damage to the subfloor. You will also pay for waste disposal, which typically costs around £70 to £290.

If you are removing your wooden floor, you may be looking at laying a laminate floor instead (the average fitting cost being around £1,200). Alternatively, the average cost of laying carpet is approximately £400, although this can increase depending on the size of room and the quality or style you choose.

What's Involved in Wood Floor Renovation?

You can restore wooden floors yourself, although this can be a tricky job and extremely time-consuming. If you are not an experienced DIY enthusiast, then you are best leaving the job to a professional floor layer, as this will ensure that the job is completed to a high standard.

For projects such as this, it's always highly recommended to request a quote from more than one person. With MyJobQuote, you can find someone that specialises in restoring wooden flooring and get quotes from tradesmen near you with no obligation to hire.

To help you understand the process of restoring a wooden floor, here is a step-by-step breakdown:

• Cleaning the Wooden Floor – Before the tradesman restores your wooden floor, they will clean it. This will involve removing everything out of the room, including old carpet and furniture. Once this is out of the way, they will then vacuum and mop every corner of the floor to remove any dirt and debris.
• Sanding the Wooden Floor – Once the floor is immaculate, they will use a specialist sander to refinish the floor. They will then use a lighter grit sander or sandpaper to get an even finish across the entire wooden floor.
• Staining the Wooden Floor – The tradesman will then vacuum the floor once again to remove any dust. They will then start to stain the floor (this step should be skipped if you prefer a natural aesthetic).
• Oil/Varnish the Wooden Floor – Once the stain is dry after around 24 hours, the tradesman will then finish off the floor with either oil or varnish. This should be applied and then left for approximately 4 to 5 hours before another layer is applied.

Note: Before applying the wood stain, the tradesperson should test it on the floor to check you are happy with the colour.

Can I Restore Wood Flooring Myself?

You can restore your wooden floor yourself, but we recommend to get a professional in to avoid any mistakes and safety hazards. As well as from an aesthetic perspective, poor workmanship can result in splintered or rough surfaces, which could cause a potential accident.

Hiring a professional will have many years of experience in restoring old floors and will save you a lot of stress along the way.

However, if you do wish to try the DIY approach, you will need the following equipment and supplies to bring those floorboards back to life successfully:

• Electric floor sander
• Varnish
• Oil
• Brushes
• Sandpaper
• Hammer

Types of Wood Flooring Restoration

There are various ways to restore your wooden floor, so to help you decide which type of restoration is right for your floor, here is a breakdown of the different types of refinishing jobs, along with their costs and pros and cons.

Sanding Wood Flooring Costs

One of the most basic types of wooden floor restoration is sanding, which involves the use of a sander machine or sandpaper and costs around £12 to £16 per m². By sanding down the surface, it can fix any scratches or scuffs while also smoothing out the floor.

The main benefit of sanding your old wooden floor is that it can easily remove any slight wear and tear while also helping to repair a tired appearance. It also helps to remove the existing surface, which is ideal if you prefer a different aesthetic.

A downside of sanding your wooden floor is that it may remove the natural wood appearance, so you may not get the aesthetic you are looking for.

You also need to be very careful when sanding an old wooden floor, especially if it is engineered wood, as this will require at least 1.5mm of wear layer to be sanded; otherwise, it may damage the floor permanently, and you may need to pay to replace it.

Staining Wood Flooring Costs

If you wish to enhance or change the colour of your wood flooring, then you should consider applying wood stain, which costs around £4 to £8 per m².

Wood stain is a mixture of dissolved or suspended colourants which are used to alter or enrich wood flooring.

One of the main advantages of staining your wooden floor is that it provides overall protection from rot and sunlight while also preserving its natural beauty. It can also replicate different types of wood depending on the shade you choose, which can save you a significant amount of money on floor replacement.

You should avoid staining your floor if it is made from maple, pine birch or any other coniferous woods, as these are very difficult to stain evenly. Staining can also highlight sanding marks, which can be unsightly, which is why it is best to seek a professional’s help when refurbishing your wooden floor, as they know exactly how to avoid problems like this.

Varnishing Wood Flooring Costs

Wood varnish is a hard-wearing and transparent finish which is usually applied to wood flooring after it has been sanded and stained. To have your wooden floor sanded and varnished, you should expect to pay around £15 to £20 per m².

Wood varnish is the strongest of all wood flooring finishes as it provides a permanent seal which helps to protect the wood from further damage while also prolonging its lifespan. It is also extremely low-maintenance, so there is no need to clean it excessively.

The main downside of varnishing your wooden floor is that once it is applied, your floor cannot be spot-repaired, so if any damage occurs, you will need to have your floor replaced. You also need to be careful about spilling anything on your floor, as any spillages that are left can cause permanent damage.

Oiling Wood Flooring Costs

Oiling is another finishing technique which is used on the majority of wood flooring and costs around £18 to £23 per m². Wood oil is typically made from natural oils such as linseed, Danish and teak, which all provide a nice sheen.

The great thing about oiling your wooden floor is that it provides the most natural aesthetic, which just enhances the natural beauty of your wooden floor. It is also very easy to repair even after it is applied, so there is no need for a complete replacement for small surface scratches.

In comparison to wood varnish, oil is not as robust and will, therefore, not protect the wooden floor as much. They are also susceptible to water damage as they are made of non-porous materials which causes liquid to leak through the floor, which can have a detrimental effect on the floor’s lifespan.

Benefits of Restoring Wood Flooring

To help you decide whether restoring wood flooring is right for you, take a look at the following benefits:

Enhanced Aesthetic

One of the most obvious benefits of restoring your wooden floor is that it can instantly improve the look of your home. This is especially true if you are removing your old carpet to rejuvenate the wooden floor underneath or you are just merely sprucing up your old hardwood floor.

Money-Saving

Restoring old wood floorboards is a cheap way to update and is an excellent alternative to putting down new flooring or carpet, as well as keeping up with the rustic look that original floorboards boast.

Environmentally-Friendly

Restoring your wooden floor is great for the environment as instead of having a new floor manufactured and fitted, you are breathing life into your old one. While it may not seem like you are making a difference to the planet, your choice to renew your floor could even save a tree.

Increased Safety

Having your floor sanded can help to make your floor safe and prevent any sharp pieces of wood from injuring anyone. A wooden floor refurbishment can also help to reduce allergies, as the floor will be cleaned and finished to ensure to prevent a build-up of dust.

Low-Maintenance

Looking after a wooden floor is a lot easier to maintain than carpet, so you can save yourself a lot of time hoovering and wiping up any stains. Instead, all you need to do is vacuum and mop the floor to ensure it is kept clean and free of dust.

Kerb Appeal

As well as refreshing your home, wooden floors will be an attractive feature when it comes to selling your home. This is because wooden floors are a great selling point, especially for homeowners or tenants who appreciate the natural wood aesthetic. It will also entice buyers as wooden floors are much easier to clean, and they also provide better air quality inside the property.

Does My Wood Flooring Need Restoring?

If you've had your wooden floor for a long time, you may notice it starting to look tired due to natural wear and tear. Scratches and dents from everyday use or accidental damage can also become more apparent. However, instead of replacing the entire floor, you may only need to have it sanded and refinished to give it a new lease of life.

Other signs that your floor may need restoring include discolouration. This can often be easily resolved through sanding and the application of a colour stain, helping to revive the appearance of your wooden flooring.

However, for this to be possible, you need to make sure that your floors are sanded thoroughly. In some cases this may require going over the area several times, depending on the thickness of the wood and how much sanding the flooring can sustain.

Checklist: Hiring a Wooden Flooring Specialist in the UK

The following checklist will help you choose the right person to restore your wooden flooring:

• Do they have relevant qualifications? Check to see if they have official qualifications such as a Level 1 award in flooring operations or basic construction skills.
• How much experience do they have? Ask about their previous restoration experience and try to hire someone who has at least five years’ experience refurbishing wooden flooring.
• Do they have public liability insurance? Although not a legal requirement, most reputable companies will be covered. It protects you in case of accidental damage or injury during the restoration process.
• Are they a member of a recognised trade body? Check if they are a member of an accredited association such as the National Institute of Carpet and Floor Layers or The Floor Industry Training Association.
• Can they provide evidence of their work and reviews? Look at reviews from their customers and, if possible, ask for photographic evidence of previous wood floor restoration projects.
• Is waste removal included? If it's not directly mentioned within the quote, confirm whether the tradesmen will handle disposing of any old flooring or general waste created during the restoration process.

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