The short answer
For most Metro Atlanta homes, a standard sand-and-refinish runs about $3 to $5 per square foot. Adding a stain color change brings it to roughly $4 to $6, and dustless refinishing or full restoration with board repairs runs about $6 to $8 or more. Because refinishing reuses the wood you already own, there's no new flooring material to buy — you're paying for labor, sanding, and finish. That makes it one of the best-value ways to make a home look new again.
Below we break those numbers down honestly so you know exactly what you're paying for — and what to ask any contractor before you sign.
Cost breakdown by service level
Here's how refinishing prices come together in the Metro Atlanta market. Ranges are per square foot unless noted.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Standard sand & refinish (existing color, clear poly) | $3 – $5 / sq ft |
| Sand, stain & refinish (color change) | $4 – $6 / sq ft |
| Dustless refinishing (vacuum containment) | $5 – $8 / sq ft |
| Full restoration (board repair/replace + stain + finish) | $6 – $8+ / sq ft |
| Board replacement / lacing-in new wood | priced per affected area |
| Extra coat of finish | per coat |
| Furniture moving (move-out / move-in) | $800 – $1,200 |
| Stairs (per tread) | priced per tread |
What drives your price up or down
Pushes the price up ↑
- Changing the stain color — especially dark-to-light, which needs extra sanding
- Dustless (vacuum-containment) sanding
- Repairing or lacing in damaged or missing boards
- Extra coats of finish or premium water-based finishes
- Stairs, closets, and lots of tight or detailed areas
- Heavy prep — deep gouges, pet stains, or old adhesive/paint to sand out
Keeps the price down ↓
- Keeping your existing stain color (clear refinish)
- Sound floors with only surface wear
- Open, rectangular rooms with few obstacles
- Standard (non-dustless) sanding
- Moving your own furniture out before the crew arrives
Sample project totals
Rough estimates for a standard sand-and-refinish to help you picture your own project. Stain changes, dustless containment, and repairs will run higher.
| Project size | Typical refinishing total |
|---|---|
| Single room (~250 sq ft) | $1,500 min – $2,000 |
| Main living area (~500 sq ft) | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Main floor (~1,000 sq ft) | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Whole home (~2,000 sq ft) | $6,000 – $12,000 |
Where does IQ Installs fall?
Right inside these market ranges. Our refinishing pricing lands in the competitive middle of the Metro Atlanta market — not cut-rate, not premium-padded. Every quote is fully itemized, so you see sanding, stain, finish coats, repairs, and add-ons like furniture moving as separate lines — never buried in one mystery number.
What's included when IQ Installs does the job
- Free, thorough in-home inspection of your floors by trained IQ estimators
- Transparent, same-day estimates
- Professional sanding & finishing by IQ vetted and trained crews
- Job-site clean-up and debris haul-away
- Clear communication from estimate to final walkthrough
Related pricing guides
Frequently asked questions
How much does hardwood floor refinishing cost in Metro Atlanta?
For most Metro Atlanta homes, a standard sand-and-refinish runs about $3 to $5 per square foot. Adding a stain color change runs about $4 to $6, and dustless refinishing or full restoration with board repairs runs about $6 to $8 or more per square foot. Because refinishing reuses your existing wood, there's no new flooring material to buy.
What's the difference between refinishing and replacing?
Refinishing sands off the old finish and applies fresh stain and sealer to the wood you already have, so it's far cheaper than replacement — typically $3 to $8 per square foot versus $8 to $15+ for new hardwood. Replacement only makes sense when the boards are too thin to sand again, badly damaged, or you want a different floor entirely.
How many times can hardwood floors be refinished?
Solid hardwood can usually be sanded and refinished several times over its life (commonly 3 to 5, depending on board thickness and past sandings). Engineered hardwood depends on its wear layer — a thick veneer can take one or two sandings, while a thin one can only be lightly buffed and recoated.
How much does a stain color change cost?
Changing the color adds roughly $1 to $2 per square foot over a standard clear refinish, because it adds a full staining step and dry time between coats. Going from a dark stain to a much lighter one can require extra sanding, which we'll flag in the estimate.
What is dustless refinishing?
Dustless refinishing uses sanders connected to commercial vacuum containment so the vast majority of dust is captured at the source instead of settling through your home. It's cleaner and healthier but adds cost, typically landing in the $5 to $8 per square foot range.
How long does refinishing take and when can we use the floor?
A typical project is sanded and coated over 2 to 4 days. You can usually walk on the floor in socks within about 24 hours, move furniture back after a few days, and place rugs after a couple of weeks once the finish fully cures. Water-based finishes cure faster than oil-based.
How do I get an exact price for my home?
Square-foot ranges are a starting point — your real number depends on the floor's condition, whether you're changing color, dustless vs standard, and any board repairs. IQ Installs provides a free, no-obligation in-home estimate across Metro Atlanta. Call (470) 223-2206 or request an estimate online.
Want your exact number?
Get a free, no-obligation in-home estimate — itemized and honest, with no pressure.
Request a Free Estimate Call (470) 223-2206