Worldwide 2026
Floor Sanding Prices
Real pricing data for timber floor sanding, staining, parquetry restoration, deck oiling and more. Know what you should pay before you hire a floor sander.
Headline answer
$350\u2013$700 per room
Whole house 3-bed $2,500\u2013$4,500 · Staining $30\u2013$55/m² · Parquetry $45\u2013$90/m²
How we get these prices: we review 220 floor sanding price points across timber floor sanding, staining, whitewash, parquetry, deck oiling, and gap filling jobs, then adjust for floor area, timber species, finish type, and number of coats so the totals stay comparable.
Choose Your Country
Select a country to see detailed floor sanding pricing by city
Australia
floor sanding and polishing
From $12
12 services · 4 cities with data
8 regions covered
View Australia prices →
United Kingdom
floor sanding and varnishing
From £7
12 services · 4 cities with data
4 regions covered
View United Kingdom prices →
United States
hardwood floor refinishing
From $1
12 services · 4 cities with data
12 regions covered
View United States prices →
Canada
hardwood floor refinishing
From C$2
12 services · 4 cities with data
6 regions covered
View Canada prices →
New Zealand
floor sanding and polyurethaning
From NZ$14
10 services · 2 cities with data
5 regions covered
View New Zealand prices →
Floor Sanding Prices by Type \u2014 Australia
National average prices \u2014 including labour, materials and GST
| Service | Unit | From | Average | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timber Floor Sanding & Polish (per room ~20m²) | /room | $350 | $500 | $700 |
| Whole House Sand & Polish (3-bed) | /job | $2,500 | $3,400 | $4,500 |
| Stain & Polish | /m² | $30 | $42 | $55 |
| Whitewash / Liming | /m² | $35 | $48 | $65 |
| Board Replacement & Repair | /m | $80 | $130 | $200 |
| Staircase Sanding | /step | $45 | $65 | $90 |
| Deck Sanding & Oiling | /m² | $20 | $30 | $45 |
| Parquetry Restoration | /m² | $45 | $65 | $90 |
| Cork Floor Refinishing | /m² | $25 | $36 | $50 |
| Bamboo Floor Sanding | /m² | $28 | $40 | $55 |
| Gap Filling & Sanding | /m² | $15 | $24 | $35 |
| Floor Sealing Only | /m² | $12 | $19 | $28 |
Based on verified quotes from floor sanding contractors. All prices AUD including GST. Last updated March 2026.
Common Floor Sanding Jobs and What They Cost
Real project costs based on complete scope \u2014 including preparation and materials.
| Job | Typical scope | Typical price | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room & dining room sand & polish — 40m² | Sand back to bare timber, fill gaps, apply three coats of water-based polyurethane in satin finish | $1,200–$2,000 | 2 days + 48hr cure |
| Whole house floor sanding — 3-bedroom home | Sand all timber floors, fill gaps, apply two coats stain and two coats clear poly finish throughout | $2,500–$4,500 | 3–4 days + 48hr cure |
| Staining & polishing — 50m² | Sand back, apply chosen stain colour, two coats of protective polyurethane over the stain | $1,500–$2,750 | 2–3 days + 48hr cure |
| Staircase sand & polish — 14 steps | Hand-sand treads and risers, apply stain and two coats of durable floor finish | $630–$1,260 | 1–2 days + 24hr cure |
| Parquetry restoration — 30m² | Re-glue loose tiles, sand back evenly across the pattern, fill, apply three coats of hard-wax oil | $1,350–$2,700 | 2–3 days + 48hr cure |
| Deck sand & oil — 40m² | Sand back weathered deck, clean, apply two coats of penetrating deck oil | $800–$1,800 | 1–2 days + 24hr cure |
What Affects the Price of Floor Sanding?
Floor area and room count
Larger floor areas cost more overall but less per square metre. A single room (20m²) might cost $350–$700 to sand and polish, while a whole 3-bedroom house costs $2,500–$4,500. Contractors include mobilisation costs in the base rate that spread over larger areas.
Timber species and hardness
Soft timbers like pine sand quickly with standard equipment. Dense hardwoods like jarrah, blackbutt, or spotted gum require heavier sanding passes and more abrasive paper, adding to labour time and material cost. Parquetry and herringbone require specialist edge sanding techniques.
Floor condition and preparation needed
A floor in reasonable condition just needs light sanding and coating. Heavily scratched, paint-covered, or previously poorly finished floors need more aggressive sanding. Gap filling, board replacement, and nail punching add preparation time and materials cost.
Finish type and number of coats
Clear polyurethane (2 coats) is the base price. Adding stain, whitewash, or specialist hard-wax oil finishes adds cost. Most quality jobs include 3 coats minimum. Oil-based finishes cost more in materials but last longer between recoats than water-based products.
Specialist services
Parquetry restoration, whitewashing, and liming are specialist services that command a premium over standard sanding. Staircases are always quoted separately as each step requires hand sanding. Deck sanding and oiling involves different products and outdoor preparation requirements.
Access and dust management
Occupied homes and apartments require dustless sanding equipment, which costs more but eliminates cleanup. High-rise apartments or properties with narrow access can add to cost. Some strata buildings require specific dust-free systems and working hour restrictions.
Floor Sanding Price Trends — 2023 to 2026
How floor sanding costs have changed and what to expect in 2026–2027
| Service | 2023 Avg | 2024 Avg | 2025 Avg | 2026 Avg | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Room Sand & Polish | $420 | $450 | $480 | $500 | +19% |
| Whole House (3-bed) | $2,900 | $3,100 | $3,250 | $3,400 | +17% |
| Stain & Polish (/m²) | $35 | $38 | $40 | $42 | +20% |
| Parquetry Restoration (/m²) | $55 | $58 | $62 | $65 | +18% |
| Deck Sand & Oil (/m²) | $25 | $27 | $28 | $30 | +20% |
Inflation impact
Floor sanding prices have risen 17–20% since 2023, driven by increased labour rates and higher costs for polyurethane coatings and abrasive materials. Water-based polyurethane finishes saw the sharpest material cost increase of around 25% due to raw chemical pricing.
Supply & demand drivers
Strong demand from the renovation and pre-sale property market has kept floor sanders busy. There is a nationwide shortage of experienced sanders, particularly for specialist parquetry and heritage floor work. This skills gap keeps prices firm even during slower months.
2026–2027 outlook
Expect 3–6% year-on-year increases through 2027. The shift toward low-VOC and water-based finishes continues to add a small materials premium. Dustless sanding technology is becoming standard, which adds equipment costs but reduces preparation and cleanup time.
How to Get the Best Deal on Floor Sanding
Do the whole house at once
The mobilisation cost (delivery of drum sander, edger, and buffing equipment) is the same whether you sand one room or ten. Doing the entire house in one go is significantly cheaper per m² than individual rooms over multiple visits.
Choose clear poly over staining
A clear polyurethane finish is the most affordable option. Staining adds an extra step and requires more coats, typically adding $8–$15/m² to the total. If you love the natural timber colour, a clear satin or matte finish is both cheaper and lower maintenance.
Move furniture yourself
Most sanders charge extra for furniture removal and return. Moving everything out of the rooms yourself before the team arrives can save $200–$500 on a whole-house job. Remove curtains and wall hangings too — sanding dust gets everywhere even with dustless equipment.
Book in autumn or winter
Spring and summer are peak renovation seasons. Floor sanders are busiest from September to February. Booking in the cooler months (March to August) often means shorter wait times and sometimes better pricing due to lower demand.
Get three quotes minimum
Floor sanding prices vary widely between contractors — sometimes 30–50% for the same job. Always get at least three written quotes that specify the number of coats, finish type, and whether gap filling is included. Compare like for like.
Consider a recoat instead of a full sand
If your floors are just dull but not deeply scratched, a maintenance recoat (light buff and one coat of poly) costs around 40–50% less than a full sand. A professional can assess whether your floors need a full sand or just a refresh.
What's Included vs Extra
What a typical floor sanding quote covers — and what costs extra
Usually included
- • Drum sanding to bare timber (multiple passes)
- • Edge sanding around perimeter and obstacles
- • Basic gap filling with matching filler
- • Application of specified finish coats
- • Light sanding between coats
- • Final cleanup of dust and debris
- • GST included in quoted price
Usually extra
- • Furniture removal and return ($200–$500)
- • Board replacement or repair ($80–$200/m)
- • Staining or custom colour ($8–$15/m² extra)
- • Extra coats beyond the quoted number
- • Staircase sanding (quoted per step)
- • Subfloor repair or levelling
- • Removal of existing carpet, tiles, or adhesive
Best Time of Year for Floor Sanding
Summer
Fastest cure times for poly finishes. High demand from pre-sale renovations. Ventilation is easy with windows open but heat can cause flash drying on oil-based coats.
Autumn
Ideal conditions — moderate temperatures and humidity for even finish curing. Lower demand means better availability. Best time to book if your timeline is flexible.
Winter
Slowest cure times — each coat takes longer to dry. Humidity can affect finish quality. However, prices are often at their lowest and wait times shortest.
Spring
Peak season begins. Good curing conditions but demand ramps up quickly from September. Book early to secure your preferred dates.
Floor sanding and polishing in Australia costs $350–$700 per room for a standard sand and polish, or $2,500–$4,500 for a whole 3-bedroom home. Specialty finishes like staining cost $30–$55/m², while parquetry restoration runs $45–$90/m². All prices include GST.
A single room takes approximately one day to sand and apply coats. A full 3-bedroom house takes 3–4 days including all coats and recoat time. Allow 24–48 hours per coat for the finish to cure before foot traffic, and 72 hours before replacing heavy furniture.
It is strongly recommended to vacate the property during sanding and for at least 24–48 hours after the final coat. Sanding produces fine dust even with dustless equipment, and polyurethane fumes require good ventilation. Water-based polyurethane has lower VOC and dries faster than oil-based, making shorter vacating times possible.
Solid timber floors can typically be sanded 4–6 times in their lifetime depending on board thickness. A full sand and repolish is recommended every 10–15 years in normal residential use, or when the finish is clearly worn through in traffic areas. A maintenance recoat (no sanding) can extend the life of the finish between full sands.
Polyurethane creates a hard protective film on top of the timber that is very durable and easy to clean. Hard-wax oil penetrates into the timber and provides a more natural matte look. Oil finishes are easier to spot-repair but need annual maintenance oiling. Polyurethane is more durable in high-traffic areas but must be fully recoated when worn.
Engineered timber floors can often be sanded once or twice depending on the wear layer thickness (typically 2–6mm). Solid timber floors have a much thicker wear layer and can be sanded many more times. Always check the wear layer thickness before committing to a sand — floors with under 2mm wear layer cannot be sanded without risk of cutting through to the substrate.
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