Although hardwood floors can be very expensive to refinish there are several ways to reduce the cost. Consider the duration of your project, the types of hardwoods you are able to use, and safety considerations. These are some helpful tips to help you get started with your project. Keep reading for more details. For any questions, you can contact a contractor to request an estimate. They can also offer advice. Read on to discover more about this important project.
Refinishing hardwood floors: What is the cost?
The cost to refinish hardwood floors will vary depending on how big the job is. A large area of hardwood floors may need to be refinished at a higher cost than one that is smaller. You will need to use sanding belts and drum sanders. Depending on the size of the area, less stain or topcoat may be used. The materials cost is usually included in the initial quote.
Refinishing hardwood floors can make your home look better and help you save money. It involves sanding your floor, applying new color techniques, and sealing it with top-coat. Refinishing hardwood floors will cost you significantly less than installing them new. Refinishing hardwood floors means that the floor surface must be sanded to remove any imperfections and then the top-coat finish must be reapplied. The result is almost like new flooring.
Durability of the project
There are many colors and finishes available for refinishing hardwood floors. The most popular finishes for hardwood floors are oil-based or water-based polyurethanes. Refinishing your floors requires careful attention to detail and skill. The stain and wood filler are applied to cracks, and other areas that are not covered by the finish. Whether you decide to use a stain-based or a water-based product is entirely up to you.
The type of hardwood and the stain used will affect how long a hardwood floor refinishing job takes. It is also important to consider whether the wood has been treated for moisture. Sanding can be made more difficult by moisture damage. This requires extra time. To flatten the wood, sanding must occur at 45° instead of following the grain. A large workforce is necessary to complete the project.
Prefinished vs. unfinished hardwoods
The biggest difference between prefinished and unfinished hardwood flooring is the finish. A factory applied finish looks more beautiful and durable, and can last longer than unfinished hardwood. Prefinished hardwood floors have more protective coatings than unfinished. Prefinished hardwood floors can be protected with ScotchGuard and scratch-resist protection. Prefinished hardwood is available in many colors and textures with various levels of durability.
Prefinished hardwood is typically more expensive than unfinished but can still match your existing flooring. Unfinished hardwood can be customized in many ways. You can stain or finish the wood to any color and add borders and inlays. You can also choose a more uniform appearance by applying stain and urethane on unfinished wood. To apply the finish you will need tools such as brushes or rollers.
Safety concerns of refinishing hardwood floors
Refinishing hardwood floors takes a lot of time and is messy. The process can also be dangerous. It all begins with the demolition of old flooring. It is possible that your old vinyl flooring contains asbestos. To safely remove it, hire a professional. New hardwood floors often come with projecting nails and carpet taps. You should wear thick-soled boots and gloves if your plan is to refinish the floors yourself.
VOCs can be added to hardwood floors after they are refinished. VOCs are chemicals that can cause health problems if they come into contact with the skin or are inhaled. You should only use a varnish that is specifically designed for this task. A varnish that is designed for refinishing can help keep your home safe. Toxic compounds, which are highly flammable or explosive, can make refinishing floors dangerous.
FAQ
Is it better to pay a handyman on an hourly basis or per-project basis?
It really comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to pay an hourly rate so that they know how much their handyman costs. Some prefer to pay each project individually, especially if they are working on multiple jobs simultaneously. It doesn't matter which way you go, it works great.
Where did handymen originate?
There are thousands of handymen across the U.S., but almost none of them started out as a contractor. Most started as a tradesman, typically learning how to do things through apprenticeships. They are often skilled and knowledgeable, making them valuable assets for any company.
Can a handyman put in new fixtures or appliances for me?
A handyman can certainly help you out with these types of projects. It is important to know the exact type of appliance or fixture that you are installing before you begin.
Who will complete my handyman work?
You won't find a cheaper price for a local handyman if you're looking to have a job done quickly, such as fixing a leaky faucet or replacing a lightbulb. If you need multiple jobs, such as repairing a roof or installing new floor tiles, you might consider using a handyman service.
Handyman Services is a service that offers ongoing support such as maintenance and repair.
What is the average time it takes to become a handyman.
You will need to put in a lot of work over many years before you can become a handyman. It starts by helping close friends and family. Then it becomes a full time job.
As you work, you will begin to acquire all the skills required.
Are handymen insured?
Yes! Yes. Most insurance companies will cover liability claims for bodily injury and accidental property damage up to $1,000,000. Your insurance company will usually compensate you for any damages that occur during the project.
Do you have the skills to fix my leaking faucets?
Although a handyman can handle minor repairs, he won't have the skills to complete major projects like wiring a house and installing custom cabinets. However, a handyman is capable of doing minor home improvement projects.
Statistics
- An estimate was that in 2003, the market for home maintenance and repair spending was up 14% 2001 to 2003. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Another estimate was that the market in the United States was $126 billion and was increasing by about 4% annually. (en.wikipedia.org)
- “Before the pandemic, 40% of people asked how we could estimate a job when we weren't there,” Rose recalled. (inquirer.com)
- With a strong housing market, the handyman and general maintenance worker industry are expected to grow by nearly 10% in the next decade. (housecallpro.com)
- Mila keeps a commission of 20% for each completed service performed by Friends and charges various service fees regarding work done by Pros. (appjobs.com)
External Links
How To
How to Install a Receptacle Box
When installing any type of electrical outlet, you should always follow the guidelines your local building inspector set forth. This includes making sure that the wiring is correctly installed and that there aren't any fire hazards or water damage.
Most boxes are prewired and have four wires from the breaker panel. The two black wires run through the box to the first screw on one side, while the red and white wires go to the second screw on the opposite side of the box. When connecting wires together, you must ensure that the wire nuts and wire wraps are not used. It is likely that you will have problems getting the wires into place after tightening them down. You want them to be free enough to move around but still tight enough not to pull from their holes.
Add another piece of hardware if you need to add a container to an existing metal box. You'll need to take off the top of your existing metal box, and then add a cover plate. After the cover plate has been attached and the hole for the new receptacle is created, it is time to connect all the wires to this new receptacle.
If you are looking to replace the existing receptacles in your home with a more modern light switch, you may be able to accomplish this job without needing a licensed electrician to perform this work. To begin, you need to remove the old light switch from its mounting point. Next, you will need to take the time to unplug all wires that are connected to the switch. These wires include those that supply electricity to lights and power going into the switch. Once you have disconnected all of it, you can begin the replacement process.
After you remove the old switch, measure how far the wall studs are from your new switch and mark them using a permanent marker. Once you have measured the distance between wall studs and marked them with permanent markers, you can determine whether the new switch must be mounted high above the floor or below it. You will need to drill holes for the mounting bracket depending on how high the switch is to be mounted. Or you can attach it directly to the wall with drywall anchors.
Once the measurements have been taken and the locations marked up, you can start the project. You will need to remove the drywall from the area where the switch will go. To ensure that the cable is not accidentally cut inside the wall, you should leave about 8 inches space between each stud. Next, attach the mounting brackets to the new switch. You will also need to attach the cables to the switch before tightening it down onto the mounting plates. Once the switch is fully installed, you'll need to turn back the power and test it for proper operation.