Check the coating and the depth of damage before deciding to refinish. A contractor also needs to assess how much wood remains for sanding. Bring the date of the last refinish to the assessment if you know it; there is no fixed interval that suits all floors.
Look at the places that receive the most wear
Start at doorways, hallways, and places where chairs move. Note bare spots, scratches, rough patches, and stains. Take photographs of the room and close-ups of the areas that concern you.
Tell the contractor about leaks, pet stains, previous repairs, and changes in the boards. Ask how they will inspect those areas before you choose a finish treatment.
Compare recoating with sanding
To recoat a floor, a contractor prepares the existing finish and adds a maintenance coat. For a full refinish, they sand off the old coating and prepare the wood for a new finish. In its refinishing guide, NWFA identifies exposed wood and deeper damage as reasons to consider sanding. A dull floor may need no more than a maintenance coat.
Ask the contractor to check the existing coating's compatibility before recoating. For sanding, discuss whether damaged boards need repair and whether you want to change the color. See our guide to repair versus board replacement for questions about isolated damage.
Check the remaining wood
Ask the contractor how they will check the remaining wear layer and the floor's condition. NWFA identifies both as factors in deciding whether to sand. Share your product records and any known sanding history so the contractor can assess your floor.
Plan the work and the return to use
Agree with the contractor on the rooms, repairs, color, and finish. Decide who will move the furniture, and ask for separate instructions for foot traffic, furniture, rugs, and cleaning.
You may be able to walk on the finish before it cures. Follow the instructions for your coating and the conditions in your home. In its moving-back advice, Bona explains how those factors affect timing. Use our refinishing preparation checklist to plan access and furniture storage with your contractor.
Ask for a quote that lists the work
Send your location, the rooms involved, photographs, and the changes you want to make. Ask the contractor to list repairs and finish work as distinct items in the quote. Explore sanding and refinishing or contact us to discuss an assessment.
Once the floor is ready for use, follow the selected finish's care instructions. Read our hardwood cleaning guide for routine upkeep.
