The hardest part of having hardwood floors is that from time to time, they need to be refinished. This can be an expensive process, but besides preventing damage, there are many reasons why it’s worth the cost.
Hardwood floors can start to look damaged when they’re scratched, especially from moving furniture or getting stained by spills and pets. The best way to ensure you don’t have these problems is by refinishing your floors every seven or ten years; but what is the cost that comes with this process?
Let’s talk about why, when, and the cost of hardwood floor refinishing. Later on you will also find tips on finding the right service provider.
Why Do Hardwood Floors Need Refinishing?
When you have hardwood floors, appearance is not their only benefit. They are resilient, durable, and relatively easier to maintain compared to the alternatives.
However, they can get damaged over time.
Here are the top reasons why this happens:
- Scratched by furniture – Scratches are the most common reason hardwood floors show their age. Furniture can scratch the floor if a rug or mat does not adequately protect it, and furniture that doesn’t have a designated space can easily cause scrapes, leaving a long white streak.
- Stains, spills and pets – Hardwood floors start appearing damaged when they’re marred by spills, pet stains, or scratches from years of people and your four legged family members moving across them. The damage one “accident” does to your hardwood floor is not detrimental, but years and years of accumulated damage to your hardwood floor will show in time.
- Moisture damage – Moisture can damage these floors in several ways. If not properly sealed, it can seep through the cracks and leave them sopping wet. Moisture is also drawn upwards by humidity, which leaves your floor feeling damp to the touch. With time, this will lead to mold growth that will require professional removal. If this happens often, it will also cause damage beyond the surface.
Refinishing your hardwood floors will ensure that they keep up their appearance for years to come. While it can present as an extra expense, the upside is that this is not a monthly or yearly job, and most experts believe they should only be refinished every seven to ten years.
When Should You Refinish Your Floors?
The most important rule of thumb is that the refinishing schedule should be based on how much foot traffic your floors experience and what kind of usage they are getting. If you have a lot of people in and out of your house, then it’s essential to get the floors refinished at the appropriate time. With heavier foot traffic, dirt and grime can build up and will eventually wear them down. If you have pets or small children at home, then you might consider refinishing more frequently.
If you’re in Austin and think your floors need refinishing, you can contact Beautiful Traditions Hardwood Flooring to take a look at the condition of your floor. They can give you a fair and honest evaluation on whether your floor is due for refinishing or may need it in the near future.
What is The Cost of Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Austin, Texas?
According to Homeadvisor.com, refinishing hardwood floors costs $1,770. As a national average, this can typically fall between $1,075 and $2,490. Otherwise, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot. For large and complex jobs, you might spend up to $4,000. The more area you have, the lower the square foot price. Adding closets and other small, enclosed areas can make it a complex job, increasing the cost. These prices may seem a bit alarming, but considering it only needs done close to once a decade, the cost can prove well worth it.
A couple of hardwood refinishers in Austin give free quotes over the phone as long as you can give them all the details they need. However, these quotes can result in misleading results.
This is the reason why Beautiful Traditions Hardwood Floors never provides quotes over the phone. Our team does an in-home inspection to provide you with an accurate quote that we can stand by.
Tips in Finding A Team Who Will Help You Refinish Your Hardwood Floors
It is crucial to always work with a reputable company that knows the best practices for refinishing hardwood floors. Here are some simple things you can do to ensure that your project will go smoothly:
- Make sure they have excellent customer reviews and referrals.
- Get a written contract to protect your interests, ensuring you understand all their fees upfront – the cost of supplies included.
- Ask for pictures of previous projects they’ve done so that you can review them.
- Ensure there are no hidden fees and that the experience of their team is more important than offering a low price.
- Look for companies who are members of professional organizations related to refinishing hardwood floors in Austin or similar areas.
- Check customer references thoroughly for unbiased feedback
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