“How much will it cost?” is the first question almost everyone asks us. The honest answer is that it depends on your floor — but that doesn’t mean you should go in blind. Here’s how refinishing is priced, the typical ranges you’ll see, and how to read a quote.
Typical Price Ranges
Refinishing is usually quoted per square foot. As a general national reference point in 2026:
- Screen and recoat (buff the existing finish and add a fresh coat): roughly $1–$2 per square foot.
- Full sand and refinish, natural color: commonly around $3–$5 per square foot.
- Full sand and refinish with stain: commonly around $4–$6 per square foot, since staining adds a step and dry time.
- Stairs: priced per step rather than per foot because they’re sanded largely by hand.
Those are ballpark figures, not a quote. Prices in Central New York vary with the job, and small jobs usually have a minimum charge because setup and cleanup take the same effort whether it’s one room or five. The only number that matters is the written estimate for your floor.
What Pushes the Price Up
- Many small rooms, closets and hallways — more edging and detail work per square foot.
- Old finishes that gum up sandpaper — wax, shellac and layers of old varnish take longer to cut through.
- Paint, adhesive and carpet residue — common when hardwood has been hidden under carpet for decades.
- Board repairs and replacement — pet damage, water damage or patching where walls moved.
- Gap filling — some older floors benefit from filling before finishing.
- Specialty finishes — commercial-grade waterborne finishes, hardwax oils or extra coats cost more in material and time.
- Moving furniture — some contractors include it; some charge for it.
What Brings It Down
- Larger, open areas that can be sanded efficiently
- A natural finish with no stain
- Choosing a screen-and-recoat when the wood itself is still in good shape
- Emptying the rooms yourself before the crew arrives
- Doing all the connected rooms at once so there are no mismatched transitions
Refinishing vs. New Flooring
Installing new hardwood includes the material (often the largest part of the cost), removal and disposal of the old floor, subfloor prep, installation labor, and — if it’s unfinished wood — sanding and finishing anyway. That’s why refinishing an existing solid hardwood floor is usually much less expensive than replacing it. If you’re torn, read Refinish or Replace Your Hardwood Floors?
How to Compare Quotes
When you’re comparing estimates, make sure they cover the same things:
- Full sand or screen and recoat?
- How many coats of finish, and what product (oil-modified or water-based)?
- Stain included, and how many sample colors?
- Repairs included or extra?
- Furniture moving, and who removes shoe molding?
- Dust control and cleanup?
A low quote that skips coats of finish or leaves repairs as “to be determined” often ends up costing more. Ask for everything in writing.
Is It Worth It?
Refinished hardwood is one of the most visible improvements you can make to a home, and buyers consistently respond to it. For homeowners planning to sell, refinishing is frequently one of the best returns on a pre-listing investment. For those staying put, a properly finished floor will look good for years with basic care.
See how we approach it on our hardwood floor refinishing page, and read our preparation checklist to make the job go smoothly.
Talk to a Local Flooring Pro
Every home is different, and the best answer comes from someone looking at your actual floor. Crow Hill Hardwoods has been installing and refinishing floors across Greater Syracuse since 1992. Request a free, written estimate, call (315) 246-4425, or stop by the showroom at 2 W Main St in Marcellus, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm.
