Refinishing hardwood costs $2 to $7 per square foot without stain and $3 to $8 with stain, by HomeGuide's national figures. In New Orleans, most refinishing is on old oak and heart pine, and the first question is how much wood is left after earlier sandings.
Every dollar figure on this page is a national figure published by HomeGuide, not a quote from us. HomeGuide publishes no New Orleans or Louisiana figure. The slab or subfloor, moisture, old flooring that has to come out and the size of the job change what a New Orleans floor costs. Figures read on HomeGuide in October 2026.
How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?
Refinishing costs $2 to $7 per square foot with no stain and $3 to $8 with stain, by HomeGuide's refinishing page. A 12x12 room runs $290 to $1,000 without stain, and a 1,500 square foot house $3,000 to $10,500. HomeGuide lists oak, cherry and pine at $3 to $7 per square foot and engineered wood at $2 to $6.
| Job | HomeGuide national figure |
|---|---|
| Sand and refinish | $2 to $7 per sq ft |
| Sand, stain and refinish | $3 to $8 per sq ft |
| Screen, buff and recoat | $2 to $5 per sq ft |
| 12x12 room, no stain | $290 to $1,000 |
| 12x12 room, with stain | $430 to $1,200 |
| 1,500 sq ft, no stain | $3,000 to $10,500 |
| Stairs | $25 to $85 per step |
Should I refinish or replace my hardwood floors?
Refinish if the boards are sound and thick enough to sand; replace if they are soft, rotten, split through, or worn down to the tongue. Many old heart pine floors look ruined under paint or old finish and come back well after sanding. Water and termite damage is often limited to a few areas, so replacing those boards and refinishing the rest is common.
How do I know my floors need refinishing?
Your floors need refinishing when the finish is worn through and the wood looks gray, dark or rough in the paths you walk most. A water test helps: put a few drops on a worn area. If they soak in quickly, the wood is bare. If the floor is only dull and scratched on top, a screen and recoat may be enough.
Is dustless refinishing really dustless?
No refinishing is completely dust-free. Dust containment systems connect the sander to a strong vacuum and catch most of the dust, but some fine dust still settles, especially from edging and hand sanding in corners. HomeGuide says dust containment adds $2 to $4 per square foot. Ask any contractor what equipment they use and what cleanup is included.
Screen and recoat vs a full sand: what is the difference?
A screen and recoat lightly scuffs the top of the existing finish with a buffer and adds a fresh coat, while a full sand takes the floor down to bare wood. A recoat fixes dullness and light scratches; a full sand removes deep scratches, stains, and color you no longer want. HomeGuide lists screen, buff and recoat at $2 to $5 per square foot.
How many times can hardwood be refinished?
Solid hardwood can be refinished several times over its life, but the exact number depends on how thick the wood is above the tongue and how heavily it was sanded before. Old New Orleans floors may already have been sanded many times. Engineered wood depends on its wear layer: a thick one can take a few sandings, a thin one may take none.
Can you change the stain color?
Yes, a full sand to bare wood lets you change the stain color. Oak takes stain evenly. Heart pine is full of resin, and dark stains can look blotchy on it, so a test patch first is a must. HomeGuide publishes no separate price for changing stain color; the with-stain rate is the closest figure.
Water-based or oil-based polyurethane?
Water-based polyurethane dries faster, smells less and stays clear, while oil-based polyurethane takes longer to dry and adds a warm amber tone that deepens over time. On heart pine, many owners like the amber of oil. In our humid air, oil-based finish dries slower still, so it means more days out of the rooms.
Can engineered hardwood be sanded and refinished?
Engineered hardwood can be sanded and refinished if its wear layer is thick enough. Pull a floor vent or check a cut edge to see the thickness. A thin wear layer can usually take only a screen and recoat. HomeGuide lists refinishing engineered wood at $2 to $6 per square foot.
How long does refinishing take?
A full refinish usually takes several days for an average house: sanding, then a coat or two of stain and finish per day, with drying time between coats. Oil-based finish and humid weather both stretch the schedule. A screen and recoat can often be done in a day, plus drying time.
Can I stay home while floors are refinished?
You can stay home if the rooms being refinished can be closed off and you have another way in and out, but many families stay out during finishing. Sanding is loud, and fumes from finish, especially oil-based, are strong. With water-based finish and good airflow, staying in another part of the house is more practical. Do not sleep in rooms near fresh oil-based finish.
How long before I can walk on refinished floors?
With most water-based finishes you can walk on the floor in socks after about a day, and with oil-based finish it takes longer. Follow the dry times on the finish maker's label, and add time in damp weather. Keep shoes and pets off a little longer if you can.
How long before furniture and rugs go back?
Furniture can usually move back after a few days, with felt pads under every leg, and rugs should wait longer, often a couple of weeks, because finish keeps curing under them. The finish maker's label gives the exact times. Lift furniture into place rather than sliding it.
How often should floors get a recoat?
Floors usually need a recoat every few years in busy rooms, before the finish wears through to bare wood. Watch the paths from the front door to the kitchen. A recoat at the right time can put off a full sand for a long while.
Want a price for your own rooms? We measure, check the slab or subfloor, and put the material, prep and price in a written quote. Call or text (504) 977-2662.