Homeowners in Toronto with hardwood floors that need a little love have two options when it comes to restoring their flooring – either they can opt to sand and varnish their floors themselves or they can hire a professional to take care of it for them. While hiring a professional will set you back between $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot depending on the kind of finish that you want and the amount of work that will have to be put into the job. While you will certainly save significantly by doing the job yourself, you will also have to put in your time and effort to do a proper job.
Should you decide to do the job yourself, you will have to rent the proper equipment, be sure to have a heavy-duty vacuum on hand and understand the basics of floor sanding. Depending on the state of your flooring, you must start with the heaviest sandpaper and move to the lightest in order to get a smooth finish. You must also remember to apply an even pressure and to go with the grain of the wood to get a consistent look. Removing all of the dust prior and making sure that your floors are spotless before applying your varnish is also crucial to getting that crystal clear look and satiny finish that feels so nice underfoot.
Should you decide to hire professionals, there are certain questions that you should ask before signing a contract:
– What kind of experience do they have?
– How many people will b on the job?
– How long will it take for them to finish?
– Will they move your furniture and store it for you?
– How will they clean-up?
– How and when do they expect payment?
– What kind of varnish do they use?
– Do they offer staining as well as varnish?
– Ask for references!
Here are the pros and cons of both options:
DIY PROS
More affordable
Set your own schedule
DIY CONS
Steep learning curve if 1st time
Full liability if mistakes happen
PROFESSIONAL PROS
Little effort on your part
Professional results
Guaranteed by company hired
PROFESSIONAL CONS
More expensive
Should you decide to do the job yourself, you will have to rent the proper equipment, be sure to have a heavy-duty vacuum on hand and understand the basics of floor sanding. Depending on the state of your flooring, you must start with the heaviest sandpaper and move to the lightest in order to get a smooth finish. You must also remember to apply an even pressure and to go with the grain of the wood to get a consistent look. Removing all of the dust prior and making sure that your floors are spotless before applying your varnish is also crucial to getting that crystal clear look and satiny finish that feels so nice underfoot.
Should you decide to hire professionals, there are certain questions that you should ask before signing a contract:
– What kind of experience do they have?
– How many people will b on the job?
– How long will it take for them to finish?
– Will they move your furniture and store it for you?
– How will they clean-up?
– How and when do they expect payment?
– What kind of varnish do they use?
– Do they offer staining as well as varnish?
– Ask for references!
Here are the pros and cons of both options:
DIY PROS
More affordable
Set your own schedule
DIY CONS
Steep learning curve if 1st time
Full liability if mistakes happen
PROFESSIONAL PROS
Little effort on your part
Professional results
Guaranteed by company hired
PROFESSIONAL CONS
More expensive
