Duke wrote:ManofFewWords wrote: I am a licensed hardwood flooring contractor and a certified master wood flooring installer. In my opinion, it is wise to let a professional sand your floor and apply 3 coats of oil based polyurethane. You do not need to stain the floor unless you want to change the color. By the time you rent the machines (drum machine, edger, and buffer), buy the correct sandpaper, and polyurethane, your not too far off of hiring a professional. Get three estimates. Around here, sanding runs about $1.75-2.00 per foot. Less for cash.I'll second this. I did my ~500 sf living room over by myself, and while the results came out OK, I really didn't save much money. Plus, I spent an entire weekend doing it, and by Tuesday I could barely walk from wrestling the sanders. I'd say that I paid myself minimum wage to do my own floor - not worth it.
Yeah, I've refinished floors too. Much harder than laying floors. I'll still do it myself next time but that's just because I'm kinda cheap and a DIY kinda guy. I'll second that you don't really save much money, and in fact if you goof (easy to do) then it will cost you much more.
