The cost to refinish hardwood floors is $1,900 on average, ranging from $600 to $4,500, depending on the area size, the floor’s condition, the type of wood, the type of coating, and the refinishing method. Traditional refinishing includes sanding the floors, which can be very dusty and costs about $3 to $8 per square foot. Dustless refinishing uses a vacuum to collect dust during the sanding process, reducing the amount of dust produced, and costs about $5 to $8 per square foot. 

You should aim to hire a professional floor cleaner once or twice per year to remove any set-in stains, resolve scratches, and make your floors look shiny and new again. If you have a bustling household with many children, pets, or severe allergies, having your floors cleaned four times per year is worth the investment to maintain the integrity of your flooring. Don’t forget to prioritize cleaning your floors yourself in between professional cleanings, too.

The cost to install hardwood flooring is about $4,800 on average, ranging from about $1,000 to $12,000. Nationally, the average cost to install hardwood floors ranges from $6 to $12 per square foot for labor and materials. High-end woods and large spaces may cost $13 to $25 per square foot. 

Additional cost factors include:

• Square footage of the area

• Type of wood

• Preparation requirements

• Type of finish

• Location

• Floor style and pattern

• Plank thickness

• Wood grade, color, and grain

It’s time to refinish your hardwood floors when they show signs of age that diminish their overall appearance and function. A few surefire signals that you should consider refinishing your hardwood floors include:

• Gouges, scrapes, deep scratches, and dents over a significant area

• Discoloration from stains or sun exposure

• Water damage causing rotting, warping, or bowing

• Weak, spongy, or soft spots in the floor indicating damaged subflooring

• Dull and worn appearance across most of the floor

The cost for professional floor cleaning is $250 on average. This cost can range from $100 to $1,500, depending on the type of flooring and its square footage. 

For example, natural stone flooring requires specialized techniques and care, so you'll spend closer to the higher end of the cost range. The cost of cleaning tile and grout is more cost-effective, where you'll pay an average of $0.50 to $3.50 per square foot.