Refinishing transforms a worn hardwood or engineered floor, stripping away scratches, staining, discolouration and chipped finish to leave a smooth, protected surface that looks close to new. Getting the planning right beforehand makes the whole process considerably smoother, so here are the practical steps worth taking care of before the work begins.
1. Get a proper estimate first
Most professional wood floor sanding contractors offer a free, no-obligation estimate, and it's worth taking advantage of this before committing to anything. Never put down a deposit without an in-home assessment first. Take time to research reviews and past work, and make sure the full payment structure is discussed upfront, since unexpected costs partway through a project are far more common with contractors who don't set clear expectations from the start.
2. Choose a floor stain carefully
Wood floor staining is generally recommended straight after sanding, since the wood's pores are freshly opened and absorb stain more evenly at that point than at any other time. If you're planning a colour change rather than restoring the existing shade, take the time to view samples, ideally on an offcut of your actual wood species, since colour can look noticeably different depending on the wood it's applied to. Think about longevity too, a colour chosen for how it looks today should still suit the room in several years, not just match a current trend.
3. Plan for pets
Pets aren't well suited to being around an active sanding and refinishing project. Keeping them out of the house while work is underway protects them from the equipment and noise, and it also protects the newly sanded and finished floor from scratches or paw prints in fresh finish. Most modern finishes aren't toxic once cured, but keeping animals away during application and curing is still worth arranging.
4. Handle wall painting before sanding, not after
If a floor refinish is part of a wider room renovation that includes painting, do the painting first. Any paint splashes or spills on the floor during that stage get removed as part of the sanding process afterwards, rather than risking marks on a freshly finished floor if painting happens last.
5. Clear the space properly
Remove furniture, rugs, decorative items and any valuable pieces from the room before sanding starts. Sanding is a disruptive process, even with dust-free extraction equipment reducing the mess considerably compared to older methods, the room needs to be completely accessible for the equipment to work effectively across the whole floor.
6. Factor in curing time, not just sanding time
It's easy to plan around the sanding itself and forget that the finish needs proper time to cure before the room is back to normal use. Moving furniture back or walking heavily on a floor before the finish has fully cured, not just dried to the touch, risks marking or denting a surface that hasn't reached its full hardness yet. Curing times vary by product, oil-based finishes typically need longer than water-based lacquers, so it's worth confirming the specific timeline with your contractor rather than assuming.
7. Discuss finish options before work begins
Refinishing is also the point where finish choice matters most, since it's not something you'll want to redo again soon. Lacquer and oil-based options each suit different priorities, durability and low maintenance versus a more natural texture and easier spot repair, and this is worth deciding on before sanding starts rather than as an afterthought once the floor's already bare.
If you're planning a refinishing project and want to get the timing and preparation right from the outset, get a free quote and we'll talk through what your specific floor and household will need.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get more than one estimate before choosing a contractor? It's generally worth comparing at least a couple of quotes, checking reviews and past work alongside the price itself, rather than choosing purely on cost.
How soon after sanding can stain be applied? Stain is typically applied straight after sanding while the wood's pores are freshly open, which gives the most even, long-lasting result compared to applying it later.
Is it safe to have pets in the house during refinishing? It's best to keep pets out of the area, and ideally out of the property, during sanding and while the finish cures, both for their safety and to protect the fresh finish from scratches.
Do I need to paint before or after floor sanding? Paint the walls before sanding if both are part of the same renovation. Any accidental splashes or spills on the floor are then removed during the sanding process.
How long should I wait before moving furniture back after refinishing? This depends on the finish used, but it's important to wait until the finish has fully cured, not just dried to the touch, to avoid marking the new surface.
