Questions about refinishing

Typical pricing is about $4.00 to $5.50 per square foot for a full sand with a clear finish, $1.75 to $2.75 for a screen and recoat, and $60 to $100 per stair tread. Stain, repairs and prep add to that.

Most main floors take two to four days with a water-based finish, including drying time. Oil-based finishes add a day or two.

Not usually with a water-based finish, as long as you can stay off the floors being done. With oil-based finish, the smell is strong enough that most people stay elsewhere for a couple of nights.

No sanding is truly dustless. Modern sanders with dust containment capture most of it, but some fine dust from edging and hand work is normal.

Sometimes. It depends on the thickness of the hardwood wear layer. Under about 2 mm, a recoat is the safe option. Thicker layers can usually take a light sand.

Surface marks can. Dark urine stains that have soaked into the wood usually can't, and those boards are replaced before the floor is refinished.

With water-based finish, usually after two to four days, with felt pads on every leg. Rugs should wait about two weeks while the finish fully hardens.

Refinished floors are one of the more common pre-listing jobs because they photograph well and buyers notice worn floors. A recoat is often enough if the wood isn't damaged.

Any time works indoors. Very humid summer weeks slow drying, and dry winter air opens gaps between boards, so steady heating or air conditioning during the job helps.

Yes. Stairs and corners are hand-sanded and scraped, which is why stairs are priced per step.