By Winnwood Flooring · Updated June 17, 2026
Refinishing is the single best return you can get from an old hardwood floor. It costs a fraction of replacement and, done well, leaves you with a surface that looks new and lasts another couple of decades. The hard part for most homeowners is knowing what a fair price actually is.
Here is how refinishing is priced in Missoula, and what separates a real quote from a number pulled out of the air.
The short answer
Most full refinishing projects in the Missoula area fall between $4 and $7 per square foot. A 1,000-square-foot main floor, then, usually runs somewhere in the $4,000 to $7,000 range. Dust-free sanding and a commercial-grade finish like Bona Traffic HD sit toward the top of that band.
A recoat - a fresh top coat over a sound existing finish, with no sanding to bare wood - costs far less and is often a single-day job. If your finish is dull or lightly scratched but the wood underneath is fine, a recoat may be all you need.
What actually drives the price
- Square footage. Bigger floors cost more in total but usually less per square foot.
- Floor condition. Pet stains, water damage, cupping, and old finishes that fight the sander all add labor.
- Stain vs. natural. A clear finish is faster than a custom color match that has to be sampled and approved.
- Finish system. Water-based and oil-modified finishes differ in price, cure time, and durability.
- Stairs and detail work. Treads, risers, and tight closets are slow, hand-worked areas.
Where homeowners overspend
The most common mistake is paying for a full refinish when a recoat would have done the job. A finish that is worn but not damaged does not need to be sanded to bare wood. An honest contractor will tell you which one your floor needs before you commit.
The second is choosing a bid purely on price. Refinishing is labor, prep, and product - a number well below the rest of the market usually means a step is getting skipped, most often the prep.
What a fair quote includes
A real estimate is written, names the finish product and number of coats, and gives you a timeline. Winnwood Flooring does a free in-home assessment first, because you cannot price a floor accurately without standing on it.
Related services
- Dust-Free Hardwood Refinishing - 99.8% less dust than traditional sanding. Live in your home while we work.
- Hardwood Floor Recoating - Refresh your finish without a full sand. One day, no dust, like-new shine.
- Floor Restoration and Cleaning - Deep cleaning, board repair, and full restoration for original Missoula homes.
