We are about to build a new home and it will have about 1000 sq feet of hardwood. I am planning on installing it, having someone sand it, and then finishing it myself. It will probably be #1 common red oak and maple. The problem is that we live in rural MO and there are no places around but the big box stores. The carpet places that also sell hardwood want to only sell it with installation, and the big box stores I am leary of. I have found Hurst Hardwoods online. Anybody dealt with them on here? Are there any others that are online? Or does anybody know of a good place with decent prices in the KC area, as I could drive to go get it. Don't really want to use LL though.

Thanks for any advice

Keith

All I can say is if you are planning on having someone sand the floor, you might as well have them finish it too. In my case, I don't cut enough off of the price to just sand it because most of the work/expense is in the sanding. You will also need to have the floor screened before the final coat, and that needs to be done by a pro. I personally think just about anyone with a "little" skill can install an unfinished floor, but it takes a pro to make a good finish out of a diy install.

I have read decent reviews on Hurst but have not bought through them. I recently bought from True Hardwoods in GA and there is a review on them on the main site here. I was happy with the service and bought during one of thier free shipping sales. I would have rather bought from a local dealer but for over $3 sq ft difference for the same product I could not justify it.

I perfer prefinished so I can't help you w/ the finishing reccomendations but if I was leary of sanding it myself I would have a professional finish it while they are there. Just from finishing various woodworking projects I can tell you 1k sq ft is a lot to finish and get a long lasting nice finish if you are not seasoned at it.

I just ordered from True Hardwoods. Will be getting 1600 sq. ft. of pre-finished, engineered wood in the next week or so.