I recently bought a charming house from the 1920s that features hardwood floors painted black. I got a quote from a contractor suggesting it will cost around $5,000 to sand and stain these floors, which covers about 1,500 square feet. I enjoy home improvement projects, but I've never attempted something like this before. Additionally, I need to sand and stain the back patio as well. I'm curious about the risks involved if I decide to tackle this DIY-style instead of hiring a pro. What should I be aware of?
4 Answers
Sanding and staining your floor can be tricky, especially if you're new to it. Without experience, it's easy to damage the wood or sand too deep in spots. Just a heads up, it takes way longer than expected. Your quote doesn't sound too bad if the contractor is detailed.
I've done five rooms and while I was happy with the outcome, it took a couple of months! You'll need to strip, handle nails, and work through several sanding stages—not to mention the dust goes everywhere! It's a rewarding project, but definitely not quick.
Honestly, that price is great. As a flooring contractor, I charge almost $8,800 for similar work, not including any extra repairs or moving furniture. It's much harder than it seems unless you’re okay with a less-than-perfect job. I suggest going with the professional option.
Exactly! Assuming the professional knows their stuff, it could save you a lot of trouble.
I say go for it if you have some time and space to work. It's a worth-it DIY project if you have the patience! I did mine without prior experience, learned a ton from online videos, and saved a lot of cash. Just prepare for a lot of manual labor, but I’d totally do it again.
This is the kind of mentorship I needed! I don't usually watch videos, but seeing someone sand could be super helpful.
Right? My biggest concern is ruining the original wood since it’s 1 inch thick. I'm tempted to try but I keep wondering if the risk is worth it.