Getting your timber floors sanded and refinished is a significant investment, and quotes from different companies can vary widely — sometimes by hundreds of dollars. Understanding what's actually included in each quote is the key to making a smart decision, not just picking the cheapest number on the page.
What a Good Floor Sanding Quote Should Include
A thorough quote should spell out exactly what work is covered. Watch for these key line items:
- Area to be sanded — measured in square metres. Make sure every company is quoting on the same floor area.
- Number of sanding passes — a quality job typically involves multiple passes with progressively finer grits to achieve a smooth, even surface.
- Edge sanding and corners — edges are done with a smaller edger machine; corners may require hand-scraping. Check whether this is included.
- Gap filling — some companies offer timber filler or flexible gap filler as an add-on. Clarify whether it's included and what product they use.
- Number of finish coats — most residential floors get two to three coats of finish. Fewer coats can mean a shorter-lasting result.
- Type of finish — water-based polyurethane, oil-based polyurethane, hard wax oil, or penetrating oil all have different looks, durability, and drying times. Make sure you're comparing like for like.
- Dust containment — modern dustless or low-dust sanding systems make a big difference to your home during the job. Ask whether the company uses them.
- Furniture moving — some companies include it, others don't.
- Clean-up — post-sanding clean-up should be part of the service.
How to Structure Your Comparison
Once you have two or three quotes in hand, a simple table helps you compare apples with apples:
| Item | Company A | Company B | Company C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor area (m²) | |||
| Number of sanding passes | |||
| Edge sanding included | |||
| Gap filling included | |||
| Finish type & coats | |||
| Dustless system | |||
| Furniture moving | |||
| Total price (incl. GST) | |||
| Estimated days to complete |
Always confirm that GST is included in the quoted price — some trades quote ex-GST, which can make a quote look cheaper than it really is.
Questions to Ask Each Company
Before accepting any quote, ask these questions:
- Are you experienced with my floor type? Rimu, kauri, pine, oak, and engineered timber all behave differently under a sander. Experience matters.
- What grit sequence do you use? A professional will be able to explain their process clearly.
- What finish do you recommend and why? A good operator will tailor their recommendation to your lifestyle (kids, pets, foot traffic).
- How long before I can walk on the floor / move furniture back? This varies significantly between finish types — water-based finishes typically cure faster than oil-based.
- Do you carry public liability insurance? This protects you if something goes wrong.
- Can you provide references or photos of recent work? Reputable companies are happy to share this.
- Is there a warranty on the workmanship? Some companies offer a short workmanship guarantee.
Understanding Price Differences
As a rough guide, floor sanding in NZ is generally priced per square metre, though rates vary by region, floor condition, and finish chosen. A very low quote can sometimes mean fewer sanding passes, cheaper finish products, older equipment, or less experienced operators. A very high quote doesn't automatically mean better quality either.
Condition of the floor matters too — heavily damaged, cupped, or previously painted floors take significantly more work and should cost more to sand properly. If one quote is much lower than the others for the same scope, ask why.
For guidance on timber floor finishes and their performance, BRANZ publishes research on building materials and coatings that can help you understand product quality differences.
Checking Credentials and Reputation
Floor sanding is not a licensed trade in the same way that electrical or plumbing work is — there's no statutory registration body for floor sanders. This means reputation and experience are your main quality indicators. Look for:
- Online reviews (Google, local directories)
- Membership of a trade association
- Years in business
- Before-and-after photos of comparable floors
For finish products, well-known NZ suppliers like Resene and Dulux supply professional-grade floor coatings, so you can ask your contractor which products they use and look them up yourself.
You can also find and compare qualified local floor sanding professionals on tradedirectory.co.nz.
When to Call a Professional
While some homeowners hire floor sanding equipment for a DIY attempt, professional results are genuinely difficult to achieve without experience. Drum sanders can gouge or leave visible sanding marks if used incorrectly, and fixing those mistakes costs more than hiring a pro in the first place. For heritage timber floors — particularly native NZ timbers like rimu or kauri — professional sanding is strongly recommended to avoid irreversible damage to irreplaceable wood.
If your floors have significant structural issues (springy boards, rot, or major gaps), consult a Licensed Building Practitioner before sanding, as underlying repairs may be needed first.
