2026 Pricing Guide — Maryland
How Much Does Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost in Maryland?
Get honest, upfront pricing from a certified, family-owned flooring company with 30+ years serving Montgomery & Baltimore Counties.
Quick Answer
What Does Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost in Maryland?
Most Maryland homeowners pay between $2,000–$5,000 for a standard refinishing project. Refinishing runs $3–$5 per square foot, and new installation averages $12–$30 per square foot depending on species. Here's the breakdown.
| Service | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Refinishing (per sq ft) | $3 | $5 |
| Typical Refinishing Project | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Stairs: Set of Steps & Risers | $1,200 | — |
| New Hardwood Installed (per sq ft) | $12 | $30 |
| Exotic Species Refinishing (per sq ft) | $5 | $6 |
| Baseboard Installation (labor only) | $600 | $700 |
| Repairs & Custom Stain | Quoted | — |
| Large Homes (2,500 sq ft+) | Custom | Quote |
Pricing reflects standard oak refinishing with water-based finish. Send us photos for an exact quote — most estimates returned same day.
What Affects Your Quote
7 Factors That Influence Refinishing Cost
Square footage is the biggest factor — but it's not the only one. Here's everything that goes into your final price.
Square Footage
The biggest driver of cost. Most contractors price per square foot — the per-sq-ft rate often drops slightly on larger jobs, so full-home projects get better value.
Wood Species
Oak is the most common (80% of MD homes) and the easiest to price at $3–$5 per sq ft. Exotic species such as Brazilian cherry, maple or walnut run $5–$6 per sq ft to refinish. For new installation, species is the biggest driver of the $12–$30 per sq ft installed range.
Current Floor Condition
Floors with deep scratches, pet stains, water damage, or prior coatings that need stripping take more sanding passes and labor — which adds to the final price.
Finish Type
Water-based finish requires 3 coats, dries fast, low odor. Oil-based polyurethane is more affordable but takes longer to cure. Premium Rubio Monocoat finishes cost more but are extremely durable.
Custom Stain Colors
If you want a custom stain color, that adds material and dry time. Lighter stains typically need 1 coat; darker or more saturated colors sometimes need 2.
Stairs & Handrails
A set of steps and risers is $1,200. Each tread and riser needs individual sanding and finishing, so stairs are priced as a set rather than by the square foot.
Repairs & Board Replacements
Board replacements for pet stain, termite or water damage are priced separately after we inspect the floor, since the cost depends on the wood species and how much has to come out.
Smart Homeowner Decision
Is It Cheaper to Refinish or Replace Hardwood Floors?
Refinishing saves most homeowners 50–70% compared to full replacement. Here's how they compare side by side.
| ✓ Refinishing | Full Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft | $3 – $5 | $12 – $30 installed |
| Typical project | $2,000 – $5,000 | Depends on size and species |
| Project duration | 2–3 days | Longer; depends on size |
| Disruption level | Low – dustless sanding | Higher – demolition and install |
| Best when | Floor has wear layer left | Floor is beyond repair |
Bottom line: As long as your floors have enough wood thickness for sanding (most solid hardwood floors do — we check before every job), refinishing is almost always the smarter financial choice. We'll give you an honest assessment upfront.
Ready to See What Your Project Will Cost?
Send us photos of your floors and get a same-day estimate — no obligation, no pressure. Most quotes come back within the hour.
Request My Free EstimateWhy Maryland Homeowners Trust Us
The Real Cost of Going with the Lowest Bid
We hear it often: “Another company quoted me half your price.” That's a real quote — but it tells a story about what's being skipped. Properly refinished floors require full sanding passes, grain-raising between coats, 3 coats of premium finish, and time for each coat to cure correctly.
Every job we do is backed by a personal guarantee: if it's not right, we come back and make it right.
Get a Transparent QuoteWhat's Included in Every Job
- Full dustless sanding with Bona belt & edger — no dust in your home
- Greenguard-certified, low-VOC products — safe for kids and pets within 24 hrs
- Grain-raising and screening between every coat
- 3 coats of premium Bona finish, applied with dry time respected
- Final walk-through with owner or foreman before we leave
- Personal owner guarantee — we come back if anything isn't right
- Maryland Licensed (#112416) and $1M insured on every job
- 30+ years of family craftsmanship — 3 generations in the industry
Where We Work
We Serve Homeowners Across Maryland
Based in Aspen Hill, MD — we serve Montgomery County, Baltimore County, and the greater Washington, DC area. Including historic homes and permit-required districts.
Common Questions
Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost — FAQ
How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors in Maryland?
Most Maryland homeowners pay between $2,000–$5,000 for a full floor refinish, depending on square footage, floor condition, and finish type. Exact pricing depends on square footage, species and condition, and we quote from photos.
How much does hardwood floor refinishing cost per square foot?
In Montgomery and Baltimore County, MD, refinishing runs $3–$5 per square foot. Premium finishes, stain customization, or poor floor condition can push pricing toward the higher end.
Is it cheaper to refinish or replace hardwood floors?
Refinishing almost always costs significantly less than replacement. New hardwood installation averages $12–$30 per square foot installed depending on the species, compared to $3–$5 per square foot to refinish. As long as your floors have enough wood thickness for sanding (most do), refinishing is the smarter financial choice.
Why are some quotes much cheaper than others?
Cheaper quotes usually mean fewer coats of finish, lower-quality products, unlicensed or uninsured workers, or skipping proper prep steps like grain-raising and screening between coats. These shortcuts lead to peeling, uneven color, or early wear — and you often end up paying again sooner.
Do you charge extra for dustless sanding?
No. Every job we do uses our dustless system — Bona belt sander, Ceno Max Vac containment, and Greenguard-certified products — at no extra charge. We don't offer a 'dusty' option because clean sanding produces better results and a healthier home.
How many times can hardwood floors be refinished?
Most solid hardwood floors can be refinished 4–8 times over their lifetime depending on wood thickness. A standard 3/4" solid hardwood floor has enough material for 6+ refinishes. We check the wear layer before every job and give you an honest assessment.
How long does refinishing take?
Most jobs take 2–3 days: Day 1 for sanding and stain, Day 2–3 for 3 coats of finish with dry time between coats. You can walk on the floors with socks within 24 hours of the last coat, and furniture returns after 48–72 hours with water-based finish.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept check, credit card, and cash. Payment is split 50% at arrival and 50% on project completion — no full payment upfront.
Get Your 2026 Maryland Refinishing Estimate Today
Most estimates delivered same-day with photos. Lock in your project date in 2–5 days. No pressure, no sales pitch — just an honest number from a 30-year Maryland flooring family.
Maryland Home Improvement Licensed #112416 · $1M Liability Insured · Bona Certified · NWFA Member · 30+ Years Experience
Contact Us
Ready for a fast, free estimate? Contact us today—calls, texts, and emails answered quickly, even outside business hours. We proudly serve Montgomery County (Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Chevy Chase) and Baltimore County (Windsor Mills, Randallstown, and more).