2021: How Much Does Floor Sanding Cost?

The cost of floor sanding depends on the total floor area of your timber flooring. The more surface area that you have, the lower the cost per square meter. However, if you have several small rooms and partitions, this makes the job more complex and thus more expensive.  The below table shows the floor sanding cost for different floor sizes. Call us at 1300 767 909 to get a quick quote on your floor sanding project.

Floor Size	Cost
25 square meters	$1100 - $2,250 +GST
50 square meters	$1,100 - $4,500 +GST
100 square meters	$2,000 - $9,000 +GST
200 square meters	$4,000 - $18,000 +GST

#2 - Preparation Work and Clearing

One way to save on costs is to do the prep work yourself. The preparation work normally takes around 1 to 2 hours and we will be charging you for this labour. If you don’t mind moving the furniture, as well as clearing out and cleaning the area, then we can knock off this cost from your total bill. Remove carpets as well as other flooring materials that are covering your hardwood. Also, take off all art pieces that are hanging on your walls to avoid them getting dusty.

#3 - Condition of Your Flooring

Expect the price to be higher if your floors are in poor condition, as they need more intensive preparation and several passes to completely remove signs of wear. For heavily worn out floors, expect the sanding cost to start at $40 per square meter. In some cases, floorboards may need to be completely removed and replaced which will cost extra.

#4 - The Type of Timber

The type of timber that you have also plays into the cost of our floor sanding services. Solid hardwood can typically be sanded with no issues, but engineered hardwood takes a bit more care. This is because engineered hardwood consists of a much thinner wood that is laminated over a less expensive material. With engineered hardwood, we’ll need to ensure not to sand through the core of your flooring.

Sanding solid hardwood normally costs $20 to $30 per square meter, without the application of a sealer or finish, while sanding engineered hardwood ranges around the $25 to $35 per square meter mark, without the application of a sealer or finish.

#5 - Sealer Type and Coating

Finally, the type of sealer that you choose affects the pricing. There are many finishing options to choose from such as water- or oil-based polyurethane, wax, acid-cured, and many more. Call us at 1300 767 909 to run through your options.

Which finish is best for my timber floors and how much does it cost?

The most common options for timber floor finishing are water or oil-based polyurethane, wax, and oil.

• Floor Sanding with Polyurethane finish ($40 to $50 per square metre)

Polyurethane is the most common type as it resists nearly everything and can withstand heavy traffic. Furthermore, it is moisture-resistant and hard-wearing. Polyurethane is best for a gloss or a semi-gloss floor finish.

Water-based polyurethane is more expensive than oil-based, but it does not release many volatile organic compounds. It also tends to remain clear compared to oil-based finishes which turn an amber colour over time. If time is of the essence, water-based is also the better choice as it dries much faster and there are no fumes that you’ll need to evaporate prior to moving back in.

• Floor Sanding with Acid-cured finish ($50 to $60)

Another type of high-quality finish for timber floors is acid-cured. Although it is a bit costly, it is extremely durable and brings out the beauty of even the most exotic hardwood floors.

Can I leave my hardwood floors unfinished to save on costs?

Technically, you can, but we highly advise against it as it isn’t practical. Although you will be able to save on the cost by leaving them bare after sanding, unfinished floors are impossible to clean & maintain and will leave your floors unprotected from the elements.  Stains are likely to penetrate the timber. Ingrained staining will often not be removable and sometimes re-sanding will not remove ingrained staining in a floor. Leaving your floors unfinished will significantly shorten their lifespan of a floor.

What are the average costs of floor sanding?

So how much should you expect to spend for sanding your timber floors? The following table should give you a quick idea of what budget you should prepare for a typical floor sanding job.

Size of Floor	Floor Finish	Cost
50 sq.m	Wax	$2,500 - $3,000
50 sq.m	Polyurethane	$2,500 - $3,000
50 sq.m	Acid-Cured	$2,500 - $3,000
100 sq.m	Wax	$5,000 - $6,000
100 sq.m	Polyurethane	$5,000 - $6,000
100 sq.m	Acid-Cured	$5,000 - $6,000

This is just a quick guideline for the cost of sanding a floor in relatively good condition. Expect the prices to be on the higher end of your timber floors are more heavily damaged. Call us at 1300 767 909 or visit our website to get a quick quote for your floor sanding project.

Is The Cost of Floor Sanding Worth It?

Don’t think of the cost of floor sanding as a sunk cost, but as an investment. There are many benefits to floor sanding that you can enjoy for many years.

The greatest benefit is, of course, that it elevates the overall look of your home. It brings back the glory of your hardwood floors in their brand new condition and removes all signs of scratches, stains, and other unsightly marks. Sanding also evens out your floors and makes them smoother. Depending on the type of finishing that you go for, you can bring a new lightness and warmth to your home as well.

If you suffer from allergies to dust and pollen, sanding your floor will improve your overall health, too. This is because a newly finished floor won’t harbour dust and allergens as much as other kinds of flooring. Sanded wood floors are also easy to maintain and clean which eliminates sources of allergies.

Thinking of putting your house on the market soon? Floor sanding is also a good way to increase your property’s value without costing a fortune.

How long does the effect of floor sanding last?

The good news is that you can enjoy the effects of floor sanding for a long time. On average, you only need to sand your hardwood every 5 to 10 years. If you maintain it well, you can even prolong the life of your timber floors significantly. So although a floor sanding job can set you back around $3,000 to $6,000, or more, floor sanding is a smart investment if you consider how long the effects would last.

How do I save on floor sanding costs?

The best way to save on floor sanding costs is to simply take care of your floors. Caring for your timber floors is easy, but it will take a bit of effort on your end. In general, try to avoid any prolonged water exposure from spills or even humidity. Sweep or dust daily, and mop at least weekly.

Avoid activities that can cause scratches such as walking with pointed shoes inside the house, as well as frequently moving around furniture. Using furniture pads and rugs around the house is also a great idea.

Lastly, make sure to contact your neighbourhood timber experts like Sydney Floor Sanders every few years to service, recoat, polish, sand, and restore your floors when needed.

Sanding vs. Recoating - what’s the difference?

First, you might want to know what recoating is.

Timber recoating is the process of refreshing the top layer of your floor finish to give your floors a new shine. Recoating is super affordable, takes one day to complete, will spruce up the look of your floor, and can improve the overall life and health of your hardwood. Compared to floor sanding, recoating costs start at $20 to $35 per square meter of flooring. However, recoating won’t be able to remove signs of deeper damage that sanding could.

If you’re dealing with scrapes, nicks, dents and deeper signs of wear and tear, sanding is the better way to go.

Is floor sanding right for me?

Floor sanding can give your old floors a facelift, but it’s no miracle, we’ll be honest. If your floors are in terribly poor condition and are already rotten or warped, sanding won’t be able to do much. Furthermore, there is a limit to just how many times you can sand your floor. Talk to an expert at 1300 767 909 to know if sanding is right for your timber floors or if it’s time to install new flooring.

There are tell-tale signs that should let you know when you need to install new flooring. Try to assess whether your timber floors are exhibiting these issues that a sanding job won’t be able to fix.

• Your flooring has sustained major water damage
• Your floors are rotting, moulding, or have turned soft
• Your floors are widely uneven
• Your floors are showing structurally weak spots through sagging or buckling
• Your floors have been eaten and damaged by termites
• You simply want to change an old and outdated floor design

Installing new flooring is typically more expensive than floor sanding, and will set you back around $250 to $600 per square meter, depending on type of flooring & finish selected and the extent of works required to facilitate the new installation.

How long does it take to sand a floor?

It takes around 3 to 5 days to professionally sand a floor depending on the total area of your flooring. If you’re planning to do it yourself, allot around 1 to 2 weeks. Other factors can affect the timing of your project such as:

• The unevenness of your floors
• The number of rooms
• The previous finish to be removed
• Current damages and dents
• The type of wood

Can I stay at my home while you work?

This depends on the type of finish that you use & weather or not the works area can be easily separated from the rest of the home. Water-based polyurethane doesn’t emit high levels of VOCs and odours, so you can stay in other areas of the household while we finish the job.

Otherwise, you’ll need to be in a well-ventilated and separated area from the project. It’s best to contain yourself in another part of the house or find a temporary dwelling altogether while we sand your timber flooring.

How soon can I move back after sanding?

You can move back in once the fumes have been eliminated, and the floor has been dried. However, we do recommend that you wait a couple of days to move the furniture back in as well as restoring the normal traffic in newly sanded areas.

Not to worry, we’ll discuss with you and leave some aftercare tips to make sure that you don’t damage your new floors during this crucial time.

What can I expect after a professional sanding?

Sydney Floor Sanders has been in the business for 70 years. When we accept your sanding project, trust that we’ll only deliver the highest quality job. We are an accredited and qualified member of the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA). After we work on your floors, you can expect a top-notch quality job that will improve the quality and value of your hardwood flooring.

Which areas do you service?

Sydney Floor Sanders services areas around Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Northern Suburbs, and Northern Beaches. Visit our website to get a quick quote and so we can confirm that we can service your area.

If you want to check if floor sanding is right for you, and how much budget you should be setting aside for your floor sanding job, give us a call at 1300 767 909 or visit our website so you can get a quick quote today. With more than 60 years in the business, you can trust Sydney Floor Sanders to bring new life to your worn-out timber floors.