Hardwood floors are a classic touch that adds warmth and character to any home. But over time, even the most well-maintained hardwoods can start looking worse for wear-scratches, dents, and discoloration can leave them looking dull and dingy. When that happens, sanding and refinishing can work wonders to bring back their natural beauty and lustre. But should you tackle the project yourself or hire pros? It’s a tough call with pros and cons on both sides.
The Nitty Gritty of Sanding Floors
Before diving into the DIY versus hiring debate, let’s get clear on what sanding hardwood floors involves. It’s not just a quick once-over with a rental sander. The job requires using heavy-duty drum sanders, edgers, and other specialized gear to sand down to the raw wood. That fresh, smooth surface is then ready for staining or sealing to restore the rich colour and shine.
But here’s the catch-sanding floors is a real skill. You have to know how to properly operate the machines and sand evenly without gouging the wood or damaging the subfloor underneath. One wrong move, and you could end up with an uneven, unsightly mess that’s more trouble than it’s worth to fix.
Going the DIY Route
For handy homeowners who love a challenge, doing it yourself can seem like an attractive option at first blush. The biggest draw is saving money by avoiding labour costs for hiring professionals, which can add up.
That said, going DIY isn’t exactly a cakewalk either. Besides the serious elbow grease required (those sanders are no joke), there’s also the upfront investment in renting or buying all the necessary equipment. And even then, one amateur mistake could end up costing way more to have professionals come clean up the mess. Not exactly the money-saver you were aiming for.
Bringing in the Pros
On the other side of the coin, there’s something to be said for leaving the job to experienced hardwood floor refinishers. Sure, it costs more upfront, but these are true craftsmen who know sanding and refinishing inside and out. They have industrial equipment and years of experience to get the process done efficiently with a flawless, consistent finish.
Hiring pros also means zero hassle or heavy labour for you. They’ll handle every aspect of preparation, sanding, staining, and sealing from start to finish. No need to take time off work or risk throwing your back out pushing those heavy sanders around. For bigger jobs especially, calling in reinforcements can be a major relief.
Weighing the Factors
So which route should you take? It depends on your specific situation and priorities:
- Size of the Job: DIYing a small, simple space might be manageable. But bigger, more complex floor plans with tons of angles and edges could be a nightmare better left to pros.
- Physical Abilities: Sanding floors is seriously gruelling work. If that level of manual labour isn’t realistic for you physically, hire it out.
- Time Constraints: This isn’t a weekend warrior kind of project. Proper sanding can take days or even weeks. If you’re short on time, the efficiency of professionals could be worth the added cost.
- Budget: Upfront, DIY is certainly cheaper if you don’t make any mistakes. But factor in potential mishaps, rental costs, and your labour value, and it may be worth paying more for a guaranteed great job.
- Skill Level: Let’s be honest-most of us aren’t expert floor refinishers. Unless you have legit experience, going DIY significantly ups the risk of an unsatisfactory or even ruined result.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Weigh the pros and cons carefully based on your circumstances. But either way, make safety the top priority and use proper techniques and top-notch materials. With some smart planning, you can end up with gorgeous hardwood floors that look freshly installed.
