Hello,

I need help with pricing to remove old flooring that was a patch job 330 sq feet which goes under 3 door frames and then is a straight line down the floor. The entire room (645 sq feet total including the patch job) would have to be sanded and stained as wells so I've been told so all the flooring matches. I've had several estimates that range from $1,600 to $4, 200 to do the job. What is the going rate to sand and seal floors and installing them as well. I understand it's hard to price the removal of the old flooring.

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... rcosts.htm

This is an "o.k." guide very much depends on where you live and how competitive the wood floor service market is around you. This list is at least 2 years old so I imagine you could easily figure about 10% - 15% more now.

HOWEVER, nothing beats good ole fashioned referral based business. Who do you know that's had some work done recently???

Ask the guy you feel best about in your interviewing for a couple of referral clients that you can contact and then physically go and look at his work for yourself. If it's worth asking us strangers about on the information super highway then it is worth checking a guys work out for yourself.

By the way ... honestly ... CHEAPER IS USUALLY JUST THAT! my 2 cents.

Good Luck,

It's a ballpark guesstimate I could use all the help I can get in updating that if you guys would help.

From what I've been able to gather, prices are all over the place. It depends on who you hire, how experienced they are, where you live, the nature of the job, etc. There are some real low bidders on both coasts in the major metro areas. These are often newly landed immigrants who work for low pay. I would avoid these guys who are often unlicensed and uninsured. The best in an area will charge more and will normally be in demand. Typically for my business, I get anywhere from $3.50 to $5.00 sq.ft. for sanding and finishing depending on size, condition, stain or not, finish type used, etc. Installation ranges from $4.00 to $6.00 sq.ft. depending on size, material, degree of difficulty, etc. The flooring itself is not included in these numbers. Extra fees are charged for extensive prep and subfloor repairs, patching, lacing in, moisture barriers, etc. It should be noted I live in one of the most expensive areas of the country. The "average" 3 bedroom house costs over $500,000.00! Most places around the country are less in labor costs than here where I live.

Gary, is that for unfinished material with a sanding/finishing added or does this include s/f or is this for prefin??

We've been getting $2 to install unfinished plus $3 - $3.50 for S&F total of $5 - $5.50 complete, labor only. That is BASIC labor only. Our prices fluctuate like yours for stuff like stain work, insets, borders, special transitions, cutting up doors, special finishes (tung oil for example).

We are fast approaching that COL index here in lil ole Coeur d' Alene as well. we just did some circle sawn wide plank floors in a 2300 sq.ft. 3br. home selling in a cul-de-sac for $499,950.00!!!!! I can't freakin believe it!

Our new sales man is wondering just how to push the envelope on our pricing comming into theis year. Other sources have agreed that we are definitely among the top around here. Our new business honeymoon phase is now officially behind us and we're actually beginnig to select who we want to work for and I must say that it's a bit weird.

Seems like only yesterday Lowe's was calling us to measure thier laminate installs and jump on 'em. Gosh, there's something I hope we don't gotta do again real soon.

Thanks Gary and Ken

Will,
Those prices are as I said, 3.5 to 5 for sand/finish. 4 to 6 for install, depending on material. Prefinished will be close or at 6, unfinished around 4. All "fancy work" is figured separately. I know it seems high but 12 a ft for your basic 2.25 oak strip finished n place (select n better, 3 coats OMU, natural, no stain, no border) is the average around here. So the wood runs @ 3, sundries approx. $.50 leaving $8.5 a ft in labor. Prefinished is another market and price range altogether. Lowe's charges $6.15 and HD charges $5.50 for any prefinished hardwood +prep+trim+demo+measuring/estimate fee+furniture,etc. As I see it, I'm in the same range but actually a better value as I don't nickel and dime like the big box stores do. It's nice when you get to the point where you can choose to say "No thank you. I'm not interested."