Hardwood refinishing projects
Real photos from the Wills Flooring refinishing gallery. Explore the wood tones and finishes, then discuss what is achievable on your own floor.
8 hardwood refinishing photos
A local team.
Clear accountability.
Oleg started Wills Flooring in Lynnwood in 2013. Today, our family-owned business serves homeowners across King and Snohomish counties from our Everett showroom.
Have a question about your estimate, finish or schedule? Call (425) 350-4435 or email info@willsflooring.com. Confirm your project contact before work starts.
Meet Wills Flooring ↗1-year workmanship warranty
Our hardwood refinishing work carries a one-year workmanship warranty. Request the written coverage, exclusions and claim instructions with your estimate. Workmanship coverage and any manufacturer product warranty are separate.
Registered, bonded and insured
Washington contractor registration WILLSFS794CB, under WILL'S FLOORING SPC. Check the official record for current registration, bond and insurance information.
Verify Wills Flooring with Washington L&I ↗Hardwood refinishing cost.
Clear starting points.
Your floor’s condition determines the right approach. We assess the wood and explain the scope before you commit.
Screen & recoat
For light wear in an intact, compatible finish. Refresh protection without sanding the floor back to bare wood.
Natural full refinish
Remove the worn finish, sand the wood, and apply a fresh protective finish that highlights its natural character.
Custom stain & refinish
Sand the floor and explore a new stain color before the protective finish is applied.
Published starting prices with a 500-square-foot minimum. Repairs, stairs, furniture, stain choices, and other project-specific work can affect the total. Your written estimate confirms preparation, finish coats, dust containment, timing, and warranty.
Find the right option for my floorWhat is included
in your refinishing estimate?
Your written quote connects the price to the rooms, work and finish you choose. Review these items before scheduling.
The refinishing scope
- Measured floor area and the selected service: screen and recoat, natural refinish, or custom stain.
- For a full refinish: sanding to bare wood and three coats of protective finish, as listed in our published service description.
- The selected finish, sheen, preparation and dust-containment plan.
- The work schedule, cleanup arrangements and return-to-use instructions.
Items to price separately when needed
- Board replacement, moisture-related repairs or other damage outside the refinishing scope.
- Stairs, landings and other areas that are not part of the quoted floor area.
- Furniture or appliance moving, old floor-covering removal and trim work.
- Custom stain choices, finish upgrades and changes to the agreed work.
These are scope checkpoints, not a promise that every item is included in every starting rate. Ask for each included item, extra charge and any applicable tax to be shown in your written total. Published starting rates have a 500-square-foot minimum.
From your first visit
to your finished floor.
Use your estimate to understand the work, the total price, and how the project will affect daily life at home.
Start with your existing floor
We inspect its condition and remaining wear layer, discuss repairs, and help you compare a recoat with full refinishing. Bring photos of the look you like and tell us about your timing.
Review the written scope
Confirm preparation, repairs, stain and finish choices, finish coats, dust containment, total cost, and warranty terms. Discuss who moves furniture and appliances, access to rooms, and any additional charges.
Plan for life after coating
Sanding and coating follow the agreed scope. Get instructions for light foot traffic, furniture, rugs, pets, and cleaning based on your exact finish. Dry to the touch and fully cured are different stages.
Before work starts, ask for your project schedule and any limits on using the rooms. Stain, repairs, coating intervals, and conditions in your home affect the timing.
Your refinishing timeline,
from preparation to everyday use.
The total schedule depends on floor area, repairs, stain, the number of coats and drying conditions. Confirm your start date and room-access plan in the estimate.
Before the crew arrives
Agree who will clear the rooms and move appliances. Plan a route through the home, keep pets away from the work area, and confirm whether bedrooms, stairs or essential rooms will be inaccessible.
Repairs and sanding
The agreed repairs and sanding prepare the wood for finishing. Repairs or a stain-color change can add steps to the schedule.
Stain and protective coats
If selected, stain is followed by the specified finish system. Each application needs its required drying interval; coat timing follows the exact product instructions.
Drying, curing and moving back
Permission to walk across the floor does not mean it is ready for furniture, rugs, pets or wet cleaning. Follow the return-to-use instructions for your finish and your home's conditions.
| Finish | Manufacturer's approximate full cure |
|---|---|
| PALL-X GOLD | 3 days under optimal conditions |
| PALL-X POWER | 4 days under optimal conditions |
| PALL-X 96 NEXGEN | 5 days under optimal conditions |
These are product cure examples, not the total project length or a universal move-in date. Your selected formula and application conditions control the schedule. Confirm furniture, rug and cleaning dates separately.
Can I stay home while the floors are refinished?
Discuss the layout before booking. If the work blocks your only stairs, bathroom or exit, or the finish instructions require restricted access and ventilation, arrange another place to stay during that stage. Keep children and pets out of the work area and agree on safe access with the crew.
Restore your hardwood floors.
Rediscover your home.
Professional hardwood floor refinishing in Seattle, Bellevue, Lynnwood, Everett, and surrounding King and Snohomish County communities.
How refinishing restores a worn floor
Scratches, dullness and discoloration can have different causes. We assess the existing finish, remaining wood and any loose or moisture-damaged boards before recommending a surface recoat, full sanding or repairs.
Full wood floor refinishing removes the old finish and sands suitable wood before new protective coats are applied. It can improve wear and many surface scratches, but deep stains, damaged boards and moving gaps may need separate floor repairs. Engineered and previously sanded floors need a wear-layer assessment before sanding. Our Everett refinishing cost and planning guide explains how the options differ.
Wood floor refinishing & repair
From everyday wear to damaged boards, a careful assessment helps separate a finish problem from a repair that needs attention first.
Wood floor refinishing
Wood floor refinishing sands suitable existing boards and replaces the worn finish. A maintenance recoat refreshes a compatible, intact coating without the same full-sanding process. We assess remaining wood, damage and previous treatments before recommending the service.
Planning an Everett project? See our Everett hardwood floor refinishing service and Everett refinishing cost guide and calculator to connect the service, starting rates and written scope.
Read more about wood floor refinishing
Investing in refinishing is a cost-effective way to extend the life of your floors and prevent more costly repairs down the line. Even if your floors show wear, light scuffs, or surface scratches, refinishing can often bring them back to a like-new appearance without the need for a full replacement. Refinishing not only enhances the look of your floors but also helps preserve their durability and value. At Wills Flooring, we specialize in restoring the natural beauty of hardwood floors, ensuring they make a stunning impression for years to come.
Wood floor repair
Scratches, gaps, and damaged boards do not always mean the whole floor needs replacement. We assess the finish, the wood, and any underlying moisture or movement before recommending repairs and refinishing.
Read more about wood floor repair
We inspect damaged boards, the subfloor, and the source of any movement or moisture before deciding whether a local repair, board replacement, or full refinishing makes sense. We match replacement wood as closely as practical and blend the repair into the surrounding finish; the final appearance depends on the species, age, stain, and lighting.
Repairing Cracks, Gaps, and Finish Failures
- Small, stable cracks: a compatible wood filler may be suitable before refinishing.
- Large, stable gaps or damaged boards: a fitted wood strip or selective board replacement may be more appropriate.
- Seasonal gaps: check humidity and movement first. Filling a moving gap does not stop that movement, and rigid filler may crack or pop out.
- Peeling finish: identify moisture, contamination, or coating compatibility before sanding and applying a new finish system.
We explain the suitable repair method in your written estimate. Repairs may remain visible because old and new wood can absorb stain differently.
Wood floor restoration
Bare patches, deep scratches and rough areas need an inspection before we promise a result. We check whether enough usable wood remains for sanding and whether individual boards need repair or replacement. Address moisture or movement first; a new finish alone cannot correct those causes.
Restoring older and historic hardwood
For older hardwood, the goal is to preserve sound original boards where practical. Existing stains, previous repairs and differences between old and replacement wood can remain visible. We discuss those limits and the achievable appearance before agreeing on the restoration scope.
We also assess older and historic hardwood floors. Their species, previous sanding, repairs, and remaining wear layer affect whether a color change or full sand is safe. When preserving original boards is the priority, we test a discreet area and discuss careful spot repair, a compatible screen and recoat, selective board replacement, or a full refinish only when the wood can support it.
Why refinish
or restore?
Refinishing or restoring your hardwood floors is essential for preserving their natural beauty and durability. Over time, floors can become scratched, dull, or damaged from regular wear, but refinishing brings back their shine and smooth finish without the need for a full replacement. Restoration can address deeper issues, repairing gouges, discoloration, and rough areas to make your floors look brand new. Investing in refinishing or restoring your hardwood not only enhances your home’s appearance but also extends the life of your floors, ultimately adding value and character to your space.
Dustless floor sanding.
Thoughtful dust control.
Reduce the mess while bringing the wood back to a smooth, ready-to-finish surface.
Our dustless sanding method utilizes innovative dust containment systems that are designed to capture and contain the dust generated during sanding. This means that instead of having piles of dust scattered throughout your home, the dust is collected and contained within the system, significantly reducing the mess and hassle.
“Dustless” refers to dust containment, not a guarantee of zero airborne dust. We review protection, cleanup, and ventilation for your home as part of the project plan.
Choose your look.
Plan your return to the room.
Waterborne hardwood floor finishes for a clear natural look, a softer sheen, and a practical maintenance plan.
Waterborne vs. oil-modified finishes: appearance, odor and cure
The finish system changes how a floor looks, how soon it can be used, and the project schedule. We review the products and sheen at your estimate; drying and cure times depend on the specific product, coats, temperature, and humidity. The waterborne Pallmann options below are examples of products shown on this page, not a claim that every project receives the same finish.
Water-Based vs. Oil-Modified Polyurethane
| Consideration | Waterborne finish | Oil-modified polyurethane |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Generally clearer and less amber; the sealer and finish system affect the final color. | Usually adds a warmer amber tone that can deepen over time. |
| Drying and room use | Often allows faster recoating. Dry to the touch does not mean fully cured. | Generally needs longer between coats and before normal use. |
| Odor and VOCs | Often lower odor and lower VOC content; ventilation and product instructions still matter. | Typically stronger odor and higher VOC content; review the exact product requirements. |
These are general differences, not a schedule for your project. See Bona’s manufacturer comparison (PDF) for examples. Wear resistance, price, and cure time depend on the exact product and application. Neither category is scratch-proof.
For example, PALL-X GOLD is a two-component waterborne finish whose manufacturer lists approximately three days to full cure under optimal conditions. We will confirm the finish and return-to-use instructions for your floor.
Eco-friendly hardwood floor finish: compare the exact product
Low odor does not mean zero emissions. Product choice, ventilation, drying, and full cure all matter. Follow the instructions for the finish in your quote; walking on a dry floor is different from returning rugs, furniture, pets, and normal use.
Two-component · clear finishPALL-X GOLD
For residential or commercial hardwood. Low-odor waterborne protection with approximately 3 days to full cure under optimal conditions. Sheens include Matte, Commercial Satin, Satin, and Semi-Gloss.
Manufacturer details ↗
One-component · clear finishPALL-X POWER
For residential or commercial hardwood. A low-odor waterborne option with approximately 4 days to full cure in current manufacturer guidance. Choose Ultra Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss, or Gloss.
Manufacturer details ↗
Two-component · natural lookPALL-X PURE
A waterborne finish with a small amount of white pigment for an ultra-matte, untreated-wood appearance. Discuss availability, a sample on your floor, and the product-specific cure schedule at your estimate.
Discuss this finish ↗
One-component · clear finishPALL-X 96 NEXGEN
For residential or light commercial hardwood. A low-odor waterborne finish with approximately 5 days to full cure under current manufacturer guidance. Available in Matte, Satin, and Semi-Gloss.
Manufacturer details ↗The finishes above are options discussed on this page; every project does not receive the same product. Cure times depend on the exact formula, application, temperature, and humidity. We confirm your finish and return-to-use instructions before work begins.
DIY vs. professional
floor refinishing
Equipment is only part of the job. Preparation, sanding technique, finish compatibility, and the time between coats shape the result.
Compare DIY costs, equipment and risks
A DIY refinish can save labor, but a full-size rental drum sander can cut a divot if it stops in one place, and skipped sanding grits can leave visible scratches. Dust control, edge sanding, coating compatibility, and drying between coats also affect the result.
DIY budget: In our DIY cost example, rental equipment and materials for an 800-square-foot main floor are estimated at $600–$1,100 before your time or any repair.
Professional budget: Our published starting prices are $3.99 per square foot for a natural full refinish and $6.50 for a custom stain, with a 500-square-foot minimum; an 800-square-foot natural finish starts at $3,192 before project-specific add-ons.
Compare the scope: A professional quote should spell out preparation, repairs, finish coats, dust containment, and the warranty so you can compare the work as well as the price. For a DIY budget, also account for abrasives, edging equipment, dust collection, protective equipment, transport, and the time needed to prepare and coat the floor. Check what your rental and material estimates include before adding these costs.
Hardwood refinishing FAQs
Should I screen and recoat or fully refinish my hardwood?
A screen and recoat refreshes an intact, compatible finish with light wear. Bare wood, deeper damage, or a change of stain color may require full sanding and refinishing. Moisture and loose-board problems need assessment and repair first.
Can engineered or thin hardwood floors be refinished?
Sometimes. We inspect the usable wear layer, previous sanding, and manufacturer guidance before recommending sanding. A thin floor may be a better candidate for a compatible recoat, selective repair, or replacement.
Can you fix gaps, scratches, and damaged boards?
We assess whether the damage is in the finish or the wood. Stable gaps may be repaired, but seasonal movement and moisture need their cause addressed. Selective board replacement can help avoid replacing the entire floor; a perfect color match is not always possible.
When can I put furniture and rugs back?
Follow the schedule for the finish used on your floor. Drying, light foot traffic, and full cure are different stages. Product, number of coats, temperature, and humidity all affect timing; your project instructions should cover furniture, rugs, cleaning, and pets.
How much does hardwood floor refinishing cost?
Our published starting prices are $1.99 per square foot for screen and recoat, $3.99 for a natural full refinish, and $6.50 for a custom stain, with a 500-square-foot minimum. The written estimate identifies repairs and project-specific additions.
Where does Wills Flooring offer hardwood refinishing?
We serve King and Snohomish counties, including Seattle, Bellevue, Lynnwood, Everett, and surrounding communities. Book a free in-home estimate so we can assess your existing floor and discuss the scope and timing.
Does Wills Flooring provide a workmanship warranty?
Our hardwood refinishing work carries a one-year workmanship warranty. Request the written coverage, exclusions and claim instructions with your estimate. Any manufacturer product warranty is separate.
How long will my hardwood refinishing project take?
The work schedule depends on the floor area, repairs, stain and finish system. Plan separately for preparation and sanding, coating intervals, and curing after the final coat. Confirm the project dates and when furniture, rugs, pets and cleaning can return in your written instructions.
How can I verify Wills Flooring's contractor registration?
WILL'S FLOORING SPC is registered in Washington under WILLSFS794CB. Use the Washington Department of Labor & Industries contractor verification tool to check current registration, bond and insurance information.
Is water-based or oil-modified polyurethane better for my floor?
The best choice depends on the color you want, your return-to-use schedule, and the specific finish system. Waterborne finishes generally have less amber color, lower odor, and faster recoating; oil-modified polyurethane usually adds a warmer tone and needs more time. Compare the exact product's wear resistance, VOC information, and cure instructions rather than choosing by category alone.
Will wood filler permanently close seasonal gaps?
Not necessarily. Gaps caused by seasonal humidity can open and close as the wood moves. Filler does not correct that movement and may crack or loosen. We assess the cause before recommending filler for a stable crack, a fitted wood strip, or selective board replacement.
Is DIY hardwood refinishing cheaper than hiring a professional?
DIY can reduce labor costs, but compare the complete budget: equipment rental, abrasives, dust control, finish materials, preparation, and your time. Sanding mistakes can permanently remove too much wood. A professional assessment is especially useful when the floor is thin, previously sanded, damaged, or has an unknown existing coating.
Make an informed choice
Helpful guides for hardwood refinishing
Use these guides to compare materials, understand the quote and prepare for your estimate.
Refinish or replace your hardwood?
Start with floor condition and the remaining wear layer. This Everett homeowner guide explains which questions to ask before committing to either option.
Read the guide →Seattle hardwood refinishing cost guide
Compare refinishing options and the details that change a quote. Use the guide as a planning reference; your own floor needs an inspection.
Read the guide →Avoid common refinishing mistakes
Understand preparation, finish selection and return-to-use planning before work begins.
Read the guide →From our customer reviews
What a customer says about the work
Hardwood floor refinishing
“Outstanding in every respect with a beautiful outcome. Highly recommend for hardwood floor refinishing.”— Robert Vessella, customer review
Robert’s review describes his hardwood refinishing experience. An inspection of your own floor establishes the repair needs, sanding options and finish plan. More customer experiences.
See what your floor needs.
Book a free in-home estimate.
If your hardwood is scratched, dull, or showing bare wood, we can inspect its condition, measure the remaining wear layer, and recommend a suitable repair, recoat, or full refinishing plan. Our crew uses dust-controlled sanding equipment and the finish system specified in your written estimate. Heavy sanding or incompatible coatings can cause gouges, uneven color, or adhesion problems, which is why we assess the floor before work begins. Schedule a free in-home estimate to review the scope and timing.
Choose a convenient time below, visit our booking page, or call (425) 350-4435.
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