Repairing Guides

how much does it cost to repair hardwood floors

by Dr. Lois Ledner I Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Hardwood Floor Repair Cost per Square Foot

Size Average Repair Costs Per Sq.Ft.
20 sq.ft. $100 - $500
50 sq.ft. $250 - $1,250
100 sq.ft. $500 - $2,500
150 sq.ft. $750 - $3,750
May 3 2022

Full Answer

How much does it cost to restore hardwood floors?

How much does it cost to restore a hardwood floor? The contractor cost to restore a wood floor is $1,485 vs. doing it yourself for $275 and saving 82 percent. A wood floor is one of the nicest features in a home because of its good looks and durable surface. If the wood develops surface scratches or loses its sheen, consider restoring the floor.

How do you repair a damaged wood floor?

  • Wear safety glasses and use a putty knife to remove any molding or baseboards around the perimeter of the damaged area.
  • Pry up the boards, starting at the wall, until you get to the damaged ones. ...
  • Snap the new board into place by putting the tongue into the groove of the existing, undamaged board.

More items...

How to repair hardwood floor water damage step by step?

Step #1. Identify the Source of the Water. It is crucial to find out the original source of water before replacing the water damaged flooring. Once you identify the source, take some steps to resolve the source of water that is damaging your hardwood floor.

How does water damage wood floors?

What you need to know about signs of water damage in hardwood floors

  • Not all water damage in hardwood floors is noticeable
  • Water damage can affect your hardwood floors in several different ways depending upon the layout and type of wood
  • There are several different ways to tell if your hardwood floors have been affected
  • Water damaged hardwood floors can be restored at home or by a professional

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How much does it cost to fix damaged wood floors?

Repairing hardwood floors costs $0.50 to $100 per square foot. But typically, you'll spend between $3 to $25. For smaller repairs, like water damage to 20 square feet, you'll pay a total cost or per hour rather than per square foot.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace hardwood floors?

Refinishing hardwood floors is more cost-effective than replacing them. On average, it costs about $2,000 to $7,000 to replace hardwood flooring (two to three times more than to refinish).

How much does it cost to replace wood floor planks?

Installing hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. On average, wood flooring costs between $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor. An estimate for installation of 1000 square feet of hardwood flooring runs between $6,000 and $12,000.

How much does it cost to fix buckled floors?

The cost to repair a warped floor is $225 to $3,000, depending on the size of the affected area. Floors warp for the same reasons that they buckle; improper installation or moisture.

Can you replace one plank of hardwood floors?

Your beloved hardwood floors' aesthetic can be easily upended by a rogue board with water damage, cracks, or grooves. But try not to fret—you can replace individual wood planks on your own without having to replace the entire floor.

How do you refinish badly damaged hardwood floors?

0:378:25Hardwood Floors-Repair, Refinish, and Restore - DIY Home renovationYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut this is the Machine you need to finish the job this levels out any grooves a belt sander isMoreBut this is the Machine you need to finish the job this levels out any grooves a belt sander is great for taking off a thick heavy finish and to remove deep gouges and scratches.

How much does it cost to put hardwood floors in a 12x12 room?

The national average cost to install hardwood flooring is $6 to $12 per square foot for both labor and material fees. For higher-end wood and larger spaces, like if you're redoing your entire first floor in hardwood, you may pay more—possibly between $13 and $25 per square foot.

How much does it cost to patch a floor?

Subfloor repair costs can run from $500 to $700 ($2 to $10 per square foot). Repairing the subfloor for an entire room costs an average of $2,500. The subfloor typically consists of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) and separates the flooring surface from the joists.

How much does it cost to install 1500 square feet of hardwood floors?

It will cost anywhere from $6,000-$15,000 to install 1,500-square-feet of wood flooring.

Can warped hardwood floors be repaired?

When it comes to buckled hardwood flooring options, the good news is that your floor might not need a major repair job. A buckled floor with only minor damage can sometimes be repaired simply by removing the excess moisture, but serious buckling will necessitate replacing the hardwood boards.

How do you fix a buckling wood floor?

As mentioned, weather and moisture are the most culprits of buckling wood floors. If the buckling is minimal, you can try drying the damaged area and see if it returns to its normal shape. You can also try putting a little pressure or a heavy object on top of the buckled wood to settle it back to its place.

How do you fix water damaged hardwood floors?

It's not just water that causes mold and mildew; it's the combination of water and dirt.Remove Surface Water. ... Scrub the Floor. ... Treat Moldy Areas. ... Dry the Floor. ... Sand Water-Damaged Wood Flooring. ... Deal With Mold on Wood Under Paint. ... Replace Laminate.

How much does it cost to repair hardwood floors?

Hardwood Flooring Repair Cost. Repairing hardwood floors cost anywhere from $1 to $100 per square foot or $100 to $3,000 or more total. In many cases, it's cheaper to replace your floors than to repair a small section. However, you might prefer to save historic floors.

How much does it cost to scratch a floor?

Scratches cost anywhere from $75 to $2,000 or $1 to $8 per square foot. For a single scratch, you might go with an inexpensive wood filler and stain. For extensive scratches, you'll likely need to refinish the floor completely, costing closer to $2,000.

How much does a whole house dehumidifier cost?

Dehumidify the area. You can do this with a simple dehumidifier for the room. Or, consider a whole house dehumidifier costing $1,300 to $2,800 – less than the cost of replacing your floors. Consider sanding and refinishing if your cupping problem doesn't right itself after a few days.

Can you fix a hardwood floor with a dehumidifier?

Some things, like light scratches or cupping, you may try to repair yourself. Buffing out a top layer or turning on a dehumidifier (or turning off a humidifier) could quickly and easily fix your problem . But for deep gouges, water damage and mold, always call a professional. It's likely that a DIY fix can quickly lead to a professional replacement. A local hardwood floor repair company usually inspects your damage before making suggestions and providing a quote.

Is it more expensive to repair water damage than to replace a floor?

It's more expensive to repair water damage than to replace your floor if it's widespread. However, it's less intrusive to repair and less environmentally impactful. You may need to repair joists and subfloors for extensive damage and may want to refinish the entire room.

Can you refinish a scratched floor?

Then, you'll put a new layer of stain and sealant on it. Refinishing is the repair for scratched floors. But, for water damage, cupping and uneven floors, you're likely looking at a different method to fix them.

How much does it cost to repair hardwood floors?

The price to repair the flooring is dependent on the damage, size, repair needed, and labor cost. The average cost to repair hardwood floors ranges from $1 to $100, with most people paying between $5 and $25.

How much does it cost to refinish a 200 sq ft floor?

Refinishing a 200 sq.ft. floor costs between $800 and $1,600, with most people paying around $1,200 to clean, stain, and apply a finish. Refinishing your hardwood floors brings them back to their original shape and shine. Most hardwood floor materials can be refinished four to five times before needing to be replaced. The process involves scuff-sanding down the surface beyond the current finish, removing any blemishes, and applying a color treatment and a top-coat finish, either a water-based or oil-based polyurethane.

What is mildew on hardwood floors?

Mildew occurs when there has been water or flood damage to hardwood floors. The price to fix mildew depends on the extent of the damage and mildew type. A mold remediation specialist can determine the problem cause and extent. The impacted planks are removed before any repair or replacement is made.

How much does it cost to repair cupping?

Repairing cupping in hardwood floors costs between $3 and $8 per sq.ft. Cupping occurs from moisture underneath the floorboards. When moisture interacts with the floor, the side of the boards closest to the moisture expands. This causes it to warp and bend in the form of cupping, meaning the center is lower than the edges, or crowning, where the center is higher than the edges. This issue can be resolved in a few ways. In some cases, it can be reversed by lowering the humidity in the room with a dehumidifier, but it may require refinishing the floor. In other cases, a plumbing consultation is needed to determine if there is a leak. If so, expect to spend $150 to $400 to resolve the issue.

How long does it take for water to dry off hardwood floors?

The longer water sits on a hardwood floor, the more damage it causes. So, dry off the water as soon as possible. Leaving the water for longer than 24 hours increases the chance of having to repair the floor. The process involves replacing the impacted boards and blending them to match the existing flooring, averaging.

How much does it cost to fix a squeaky floor?

Repairing a squeaking floor ranges from $10 to $50 per square foot , depending on the severity. Squeaky floors typically happen after the house foundation settles and the hardwood flooring dries out and shrinks. When you walk around, the boards rub against each other or slide against nails, producing a squeaking noise. There are multiple ways to fix this issue. If the issue is in an individual board, wedging shims between the joist and the subfloor 2 will work. If multiple boards are causing the squeak, it can be fixed by securing them with a cleat or a solid piece of wood.

Can you repair a scratched floor?

For light scratches, small dents, and cupping, there are easy and cost-efficient solutions like buffing out the top layer of the floor or using a dehumidifier. For more severe damage, such as deep gouges, water damage, and mildew, consult a professional flooring contractor.

What is required to repair hardwood floors?

Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup. Cost of related materials and supplies typically required to repair hardwood floor including: manufacturer recommended underlayment, fasteners, adhesives and surface sealants.

How to estimate labor costs for a project?

To estimate costs for your project: 1. Set Project Zip Code Enter the Zip Code for the location where labor is hired and materials purchased. 2. Specify Project Size and Options Enter the number of "repairs" required for the project. 3.

How much does it cost to replace a floor?

Flooring installation costs $6 to $18 per square foot , depending on the material. Refinishing may not completely eliminate pet urine stains or odors.

How much does it cost to refinish engineered hardwood floors?

Refinishing engineered hardwood floors costs $2 to $6 per square foot on average. Engineered flooring features a base layer with a solid hardwood wear layer on top. Engineered floors may be sanded and refinished 1 to 5 times, depending on the wear layer's thickness.

How much does it cost to refinish parquet floors?

Cost to refinish parquet floors. Refinishing parquet floors costs $2 to $6 per square foot , depending on the type of refinishing and if any repairs are needed. Sanding parquet floors requires special care from a professional because the wood grain runs in several directions.

How long does it take to refinish hardwood floors?

Hardwood floor refinishing is a time-consuming home improvement project and takes 2 to 6 days on average. Hardwood floors should be refinished every 7 to 10 years, depending on thickness, species, and age. Pine, bamboo, and parquet floors require special care while sanding or staining, but costs the same to refinish.

What is refinishing wood floors?

Hardwood floor refinishing in kitchen - before and after. Wood refinishing jobs typically removes pet stains, water damage, scratches, dings, fading, sun damage, discoloration, Polishing, buffing, and recoating cost less but only removes minor scuffs and scratches and adds a new sheen.

How much does it cost to whitewash hardwood floors?

Cost to whitewash hardwood floors. Whitewashing hardwood floors costs $2 to $7 per square foot and requires sanding to remove the old finish and then applying a light wash and clear polyurethane topcoat instead of a darker stain. Whitewashing is also known as pickling. Never use paint to whitewash a floor.

How much does sandless floor refinishing cost?

Sandless floor refinishing costs $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot. Sandless refinishing uses chemicals to etch the old finish off, followed by a tinted finish that hides scuff marks and restores the wood's color and sheen. Sandless methods are not effective for floors with scratches, stains, or damage.

How much does it cost to refinish sanded hardwood floors?

To treat sanded hardwood flooring, you will also have to buy stains and sealants to refinish, which will typically cost between $125 and $225, according to CostHelper. The total cost depends on how many square feet of hardwood flooring you’re tackling.

How long to wait to refinish hardwood floors?

Between each coat of stain or sealant, you must wait several hours before you can walk on the floors, maybe 24 hours if you live in high-humidity areas.

Do you have to cover everything in your house during a refinish?

Then, you must cover everything in your house during a refinish to prevent it from getting layered in sawdust during the sanding phase, which will happen even if you screen off the refinishing area.

Can a sander remove top coat?

Whereas anyone who can rev up a sander can remove the top coats of a floor, only an experienced refinisher can control the sanding process to create a smooth, even surface. And applying stain without drips and lines between brushstrokes takes skill.

How much does it cost to fix a vinyl floor?

Sheet vinyl may be heated and stretched, then glued back into place to hide a tear, while curling tiles are removed and replaced. Because some vinyl glues grow stronger with time, removing them can be very difficult. For this reason, there is a much wider cost range associated with fixing vinyl floors, between $225 and $1,000.

How much does it cost to replace laminate flooring?

Depending on how many planks are affected, this can cost $225 to $400.

How much does it cost to fix a floor joist?

It lends strength to an existing joist so that you do not need to remove the old joist to fix the floor. This has a cost of $200 to $400 per joist on average.

Why does my floor squeak?

Or, you may have gaps between the floor and the subfloor that can be filled with a little adhesive and some wood shims. Depending on how many squeaky spots you have, the cost ranges from $200 to $1,000 on average.

What is concrete flooring?

Concrete Flooring Repair. Concrete is a trendy flooring type found in many modern homes. It can also be found in basements and other areas where the concrete has been polished to become the main floor, rather than installing another flooring. Concrete is durable, but it cracks and is susceptible to moisture.

What is the biggest driving factor behind repair costs?

The type of flooring you have is the biggest driving factor behind repair costs. Each flooring wears and acquires damage in different ways, which dictates how the repairs are carried out and the average repair cost. Some repairs are done on the surface of your existing flooring, while others require the damaged section to be removed and replaced, influencing your total costs:

What is engineered wood?

Engineered wood is a subtype of hardwood. It has a piece of wood veneer on top of layers of plywood running in opposite directions. This flooring type is more stable and resistant to moisture. It is repaired just like solid hardwood, but it usually needs repairs less often. The one difference is that while solid hardwood can be refinished an infinite number of times, engineered hardwood may only be refinished 5 or 6 times over its lifetime. The cost is the same, $250 to $3,000 on average for repairs.

How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floor?

The total average cost to refinish hardwood floors for a typical dining room equaling 280 square ft. will run you: $4 to $7.50 per sq ft. depending on options and preparation work.

Refinish Hardwood Floors – Pricing and Installation Cost Checklist

Expect the Refinish Hardwood Floors prices to fluctuate between various companies – each and every company have different operation expenses and over-head.

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