Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost in Georgia: What You'll Actually Pay in 2026

If you’re getting quotes for hardwood floor refinishing, you’ll notice the prices vary a lot — and it’s not always clear what you’re getting for the money. Some companies quote low and add charges later. Others include everything upfront.

Here are the real numbers for NE Georgia in 2026, based on what we charge and what we see from competitors in the market.

The Quick Numbers

Service	Cost per Square Foot	For 1,000 sqft	Notes
Screen & recoat	$1.50-3.00	$1,500-3,000	One day, light process
Full sand & refinish (natural)	$3.50-5.00	$3,500-5,000	No stain, clear finish
Full sand & refinish (with stain)	$4.50-6.00	$4,500-6,000	Custom stain color
Stair refinishing	$50-100 per tread	Varies	More labor-intensive
Bona Deep Clean	$0.75-1.50	$750-1,500	Cleaning only, no sanding

These are complete prices — surface prep, materials, labor, and cleanup included. No hidden fees for moving furniture (if requested), dust containment, or finish coats.

What Affects the Price

Square Footage

This is the primary driver. More floor = more time = higher cost. Most companies price per square foot, with a minimum project size (ours is typically 200 square feet). Larger projects sometimes qualify for a slightly lower per-square-foot rate because setup time is fixed regardless of floor size.

Floor Condition

Floors in reasonable shape cost less to refinish than floors that are heavily damaged. If the wood has deep gouges, pet stains that need oxalic acid treatment, water damage, or areas where boards need replacement, the prep work takes longer and adds to the cost. We assess floor condition during the free proposal and include any additional work in the quote.

Stain vs. Natural

Adding a stain color costs $1.00-1.50 more per square foot than a clear natural finish. Staining adds a full day to the project timeline (the stain needs to dry before finish coats) and requires more labor-intensive application. If you like the look of your existing wood color, going natural saves money and time.

Finish Type

Water-based polyurethane is our standard and what most homeowners choose. It dries clear, doesn’t yellow, has low odor, and dries faster — which means fewer days in your house.

Oil-based polyurethane costs about the same but takes longer to dry and produces more fumes. Some homeowners prefer the slightly warmer, amber tone it gives the wood. This is an aesthetic preference, not a durability one — both types protect equally well.

Stairs

Stair refinishing is quoted per tread rather than per square foot because stairs require significantly more labor per area. Each tread, riser, and stringer must be sanded by hand in tight spaces, with careful masking and detail work. A typical straight staircase with 12-15 treads costs $600-1,500 to refinish.

Dust Containment

Our Bona Atomic Dust Containment System is included in every refinishing quote at no extra charge. Some companies list this as an add-on or upcharge. We consider it standard equipment, not a luxury option. If a company quotes you refinishing without dust containment, you’ll spend as much on post-sanding cleaning as you saved — and your HVAC filters will need replacing.

How to Compare Quotes

When you’re getting multiple quotes, make sure you’re comparing the same things:

Ask every company:

Is dust containment included or extra?
How many coats of finish are included? (Should be 3 minimum)
What brand and type of finish do you use?
Does the price include furniture moving?
What happens if you find damage after sanding starts?
Is the stain included in the quoted price?
What’s your warranty?

The lowest quote isn’t always the cheapest job. A company that quotes $2.50/sqft but uses two coats of finish instead of three, doesn’t include dust containment, and has no warranty will cost you more in the long run than a company that quotes $4.50/sqft and does the job right.

Is Refinishing Worth the Cost?

Compare refinishing to the alternatives:

New hardwood installation: $8-15 per square foot. Refinishing your existing hardwood at $4-6/sqft is less than half the cost of replacement — and the result looks the same. Unless your wood is structurally damaged, refinishing is almost always the better value.

LVP over existing hardwood: You’d be covering a valuable asset with a less valuable product. If your hardwood can be refinished, that’s a better investment.

Doing nothing: If the finish is wearing through, the unprotected wood is actively deteriorating. Every month you wait, the eventual refinish gets more expensive because the damage gets deeper. Early intervention (or preventive recoating) is cheaper than waiting until the floors are in bad shape.

FAQ

How long does refinishing last before it needs to be done again?

With proper maintenance, a full refinish lasts 7-10 years in a typical household. Regular screen-and-recoats every 3-5 years can extend that to 15+ years before another full refinish is needed.

Do you offer financing for floor refinishing?

Yes. Ask about payment plan options during your free proposal.

Can I get a proposal without an in-home visit?

We can provide a rough ballpark over the phone based on square footage, but an accurate quote requires an in-person assessment. Floor condition, stain requirements, and access considerations all affect pricing. The in-home proposal is free and takes about 30 minutes.

Get an exact price for your floors. Schedule a free in-home proposal — we’ll assess your floors and give you a written quote with everything included. 770-554-1555.