How Much Will It Cost to Sand & Polish My Timber Floors?

When it comes to sanding and polishing your timber floors, the cost can vary significantly. Generally, prices range between $35 and $90 per square metre.

Several factors can influence the final price. In this guide, I’ll walk you through these factors in detail to give you a better understanding of what to expect when budgeting for this task.

Want to learn with certainty what it will cost to refinish your timber flooring? Give us a call on (02) 8425 8999 or book a free quote online.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Sand and Polish Floorboards

Floor Type and Condition

The type and condition of your timber floor significantly impact the cost. Different species of timber require varying degrees of sanding. Harder woods such as ironbark or spotted gum, or those with excessive knotting, may need more intensive sanding.

Additionally, floors that are cupped, bowed, stained, or dented will require extra preparation. This often includes additional sanding to even out the surface and ensure a smooth finish, potentially adding an extra day of work and increasing the overall cost. It’s essential to assess the condition of your floor thoroughly to get an accurate quote.

Floor Layout

The configuration and shape of your floor also play a crucial role in determining the price. Rooms with complex layouts, such as those with stairs, hallways, or built-in furniture, necessitate a considerable amount of hand sanding, which can be time-consuming and thus more expensive.

Wooden stairs are more expensive to sand — Wooden stairs are more complex to work with, and as a result, more expensive to refinish.

Hand sanding is needed in areas where large machines cannot reach, ensuring that every part of the floor receives a uniform finish. Conversely, large, open areas are more straightforward to sand and polish, typically resulting in a lower cost per square metre. The ease of manoeuvring sanding equipment in open spaces reduces labour time and costs.

Type of Finish

The type of finish you choose for your timber floors will significantly affect the overall cost. More expensive finishes include:

Staining
Liming
Bleaching
Commercial-grade finishes

These finishes often require multiple coats and additional labour to achieve the desired look. For instance, staining the floor can add rich colour and enhance the wood’s natural grain, but it involves a meticulous application process. On the other hand, solvent-based finishes tend to be more affordable and quicker to apply but may not offer the same level of durability or aesthetic appeal.

Professional advice is invaluable in selecting a finish that complements your decor and suits your lifestyle, ensuring long-lasting and visually pleasing results.

Access

Accessibility is another factor that can influence the price. Ideal conditions include level, clear access for machinery and workers, with ample room for vehicles nearby.

If your property has difficult access, such as steep driveways, narrow entrances, or upper floors without lift access, it can complicate the job. Workers may need to carry heavy equipment longer distances or navigate challenging spaces, which can increase the time and effort required, potentially raising the cost. It’s a detail often overlooked but essential in preparing your property for the job.

Floor sanding equipment is heavy, and can require more labour to move up stairs or through tight spaces.

Coordination with Other Trades

The presence and schedule of other trades can impact the sanding and polishing process. For instance, freshly painted surfaces can complicate the job, requiring extra care to avoid marks. Additionally, dust from sanding can affect newly painted finishes, necessitating protective measures or additional clean-up.

Proper planning and coordination with other trades, such as painters, electricians, or carpenters, are essential to minimise these issues. It’s advisable to complete sanding and polishing before painting or other finishing trades to prevent any potential damage or rework, which can sometimes lead to increased costs.

Timing

The timing of your project can also affect pricing. Jobs scheduled on weekends or public holidays typically attract surcharges due to increased labour costs.

If multiple trades are involved, scheduling can become more complex, potentially extending the job duration and increasing costs. Planning ahead and avoiding peak times can help save money. Additionally, booking during off-peak seasons or being flexible with your dates might secure you a better rate as tradespeople often have more availability.

Weather Conditions

Weather can play a significant role in the cost and duration of the job. Certain finishes require specific temperature ranges to set and dry properly.

Weather worn timber decking — This timber deck has clearly seen some weather over the years. Rushing the sanding and finishing process won’t bring it back to the life it deserves.

Excessively cold or wet weather can extend the job’s duration, as finishes may take longer to cure. This delay can necessitate additional allowances to complete the work, potentially increasing the cost. Planning your sanding and polishing during favourable weather conditions can help ensure a quicker and more efficient process, reducing the risk of weather-related delays.

Conclusion

Understanding the various factors that influence the cost of sanding and polishing timber floors can help you better plan and budget for your project. Abacus Flooring in Sydney highly recommends a site visit to accurately assess the scope of the job before providing a quote.

By considering factors like floor type and condition, layout, finish, access, coordination with other trades, timing, and weather, you can ensure a smoother and more cost-effective flooring project. Taking the time to understand these elements will not only help you manage costs but also achieve a high-quality finish that enhances the beauty and longevity of your timber floors.

Abacus Flooring in Sydney highly recommend a site visit to fully ascertain the scope of the job prior to quoting.