Hardwood floor refinishing cost calculator
Sanding and refinishing hardwood costs about $3-$5.50 per square foot, and a screen and recoat about $1-$2.50, per Fixr. A 300 sq ft room runs $900-$1,650 to sand and refinish or $300-$750 to recoat, against $4,200-$9,600 to replace the floor at $14-$32 per square foot.
Updated · By the Interior Redesign AI editorial team · Sources cited on the page
A screen and recoat only suits a worn finish with no bare wood showing. Stain needs bare wood, so it only applies after sanding.
Sand and refinish
$900-$1,650
300 sq ft × $3-$5.5 per sq ft (Fixr).
Replace instead
$4,200-$9,600
$14-$32 per sq ft
Saved by refinishing
$2,600-$8,700
gap between the two ranges
| Screen and recoat | $1-$2.5 |
|---|---|
| Sand and refinish | $3-$5.5 |
| Stain (extra) | $1-$3 |
| Replace the floor | $14-$32 |
National planning ranges from Fixr (updated January 2025), not quotes. Stairs, deep damage and furniture moving add cost.
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Key numbers
- Sand and refinish
- $3-$5.50 per sq ft, average about $5 (Fixr)
- Screen (buff) and recoat
- $1-$2.50 per sq ft; a recoat alone $1-$2 (Fixr)
- Stain
- $1-$3 per sq ft extra (Fixr)
- Replace the floor
- $14-$32 per sq ft (Fixr)
- Source date
- Fixr updated January 31, 2025; checked October 26, 2026
Worked example
A 300 sq ft living room in oak
Compare a screen and recoat, a full sand and refinish (with and without stain), and replacement.
- Screen and recoat: 300 × $1-$2.5 = $300-$750.
- Sand and refinish: 300 × $3-$5.5 = $900-$1,650.
- With stain: + 300 × $1-$3 = $1,200-$2,550.
- Replace: 300 × $14-$32 = $4,200-$9,600.
Refinishing this floor costs $900-$1,650, about $2,550-$8,700 less than replacing it.
How we calculate
Cost is the floor area times Fixr's published per-square-foot range for the method: sand and refinish (sanding to bare wood and new finish coats), or screen and recoat (buffing the old finish and adding a fresh coat, no sanding to bare wood). Stain adds $1-$3 per square foot and only applies after sanding.
We compare against replacement at Fixr's $14-$32 per square foot. The saving shown is the gap between the two ranges (replace low minus refinish high, up to replace high minus refinish low).
These are national planning ranges, not quotes. Deep scratches, pet stains, gaps, previous waxes, stairs and moving furniture all add cost; a screen and recoat only works on a finish that is worn but not through to bare wood. Fixr's figures date from January 2025.
Estimates, sources
Planning estimates and published guidelines, not quotes, designs or code rulings. Figures were checked on each source on the date shown. Local prices, your home and your jurisdiction's adopted code decide the real answer.
- Hardwood floor refinishing cost (updated Jan 31, 2025) (Fixr, as of Oct 26, 2026): sand and refinish $3-$5.50 per sq ft (average about $5), $800-$1,600 for 200 sq ft; recoat without sanding $1-$2; buffing (screening) $1-$2.50; stain $1-$3 extra; replacement $14-$32 per sq ft
Hardwood refinishing cost by area
Fixr's per-square-foot ranges applied to common room sizes.
| Area | Screen and recoat | Sand and refinish | Replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | $100-$250 | $300-$550 | $1,400-$3,200 |
| 200 sq ft | $200-$500 | $600-$1,100 | $2,800-$6,400 |
| 300 sq ft | $300-$750 | $900-$1,650 | $4,200-$9,600 |
| 500 sq ft | $500-$1,250 | $1,500-$2,750 | $7,000-$16,000 |
| 1000 sq ft | $1,000-$2,500 | $3,000-$5,500 | $14,000-$32,000 |
Recoat or sand: how to tell
A recoat refreshes the protective finish; a sand and refinish removes damage and lets you change the color.
- Recoat when the finish is dull and lightly scratched but no bare wood shows, and the floor has no wax or polish residue.
- Sand when scratches reach the wood, boards are gray or stained, or you want a new stain color.
- Replace, or ask a pro, when boards are cupped, soft, loose or sanded so thin that tongues show.
How to use this tool
Measure the floor
Square feet of hardwood to refinish.
Pick the method
Screen and recoat, or sand and refinish.
Add stain if wanted
Only after sanding.
Compare
Read the refinishing range against replacement, then get local quotes.
Questions
How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?
About $3-$5.50 per sq ft to sand and refinish and $1-$2.50 to screen and recoat, per Fixr. Stain adds $1-$3 per sq ft.
Is refinishing cheaper than replacing hardwood?
Much cheaper: Fixr puts replacement at $14-$32 per sq ft, several times the refinishing cost.
What is a screen and recoat?
Buffing (screening) the existing finish so a new coat bonds, then applying that coat. It does not remove deep scratches or change the color.
How much to refinish 1,000 sq ft of hardwood?
About $3,000-$5,500 to sand and refinish, or $1,000-$2,500 for a screen and recoat.
Does staining cost extra?
Yes, about $1-$3 per sq ft on top of sanding and refinishing.
Can engineered hardwood be refinished?
Often, if the top wear layer is thick enough; thin wear layers may only take a screen and recoat. Check the product's specs or ask a refinisher to look.
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