"How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?" is the first question almost every homeowner asks — and the honest answer is it depends, because two floors of the same size can be very different projects. Rather than quote a number that won't match your home, here's exactly what moves the price, so you can see where your project lands before you ever get a quote.
The big drivers
Square footage — but not linearly. More floor costs more, but larger jobs are often more efficient per square foot than a single small room. Square footage is the starting point, not the whole story.
The floor's condition. A floor that just needs a clean sand-and-finish is a different job from one with deep gouges, pet stains, water damage, or boards that need replacing. Repairs add labor and materials before refinishing even begins.
Natural finish vs. a custom stain. Refinishing to a clear, natural finish is the most direct path. Adding a custom stain — say a Classic Gray, a Special Walnut, or a Duraseal Golden Oak — adds a step: we sample the color on your actual floor, then allow stain dry time before the finish coats. More craftsmanship, a bit more time.
The finish you choose. The number and grade of finish coats matters. A commercial-grade system like Bona Traffic HD on a high-traffic staircase is a different spec than a standard residential finish on a guest bedroom.
Stairs and detail work. Stair treads, risers, railings, and balusters are slow, hand-intensive work — they're priced separately from open floor for good reason.
Wood species and age. Older narrow-strip oak, antique floors, and certain species (like Brazilian cherry, which reddens with age) call for a more careful approach than a standard modern oak floor.
Why we don't post a flat per-square-foot price
You'll see some sites advertise a single "$X per square foot." We don't, on purpose. A flat number either pads the simple jobs to cover the complex ones, or it lowballs and gets "adjusted" once the crew is in your home. Neither is how we work.
Instead, we look at your specific floor and give you a firm, written quote that holds — so the number you approve is the number you pay. Pricing is a conversation, not a billboard.
How to get an accurate quote fast
We've built two paths so you're not waiting around:
- Photo quote — best for repairs and one or two rooms under about 500 sq ft. Send photos, get a same-day quote.
- Free in-home measurement — for larger projects, staircases, or unclear scope. A 20-minute visit, and a written quote the same day or next morning. No obligation.
What "premium" actually buys you
We're not the cheapest contractor in Fairfield County, and we don't try to be. The difference shows up in dustless sanding that keeps your home livable during the work, custom stain samples tested on your real floor, commercial-grade Bona finishes where they matter, and a crew that's earned 132 five-star reviews from Westport to New Canaan. A floor refinished correctly lasts decades and can be recoated for years before it ever needs a full sand again — that's where the value compounds.
Lotus Wood Flooring — family-owned, Google Guaranteed, Trumbull-based, serving Fairfield County. Licensed CT contractor (HIC.0666719).
Want a real number for your floor? Send photos for a same-day quote, or book a free in-home measurement.
