Floor Sanding & Polishing
Priced from $35/m2
Floor sanding and polishing is the everyday work of a timber floor specialist — and the service that most homes on the Peninsula need at some point in their life.
A hardwood floor is designed to be sanded back. Every 10 to 20 years, depending on wear, the top layer of finish is machined off, the timber cleaned and levelled, and a new coating system applied. Done properly, the boards under your feet will outlast the rest of the house.
We work with belt sanders and edgers on-site, in your home. We seal off the work area, protect kitchens and joinery, and stage the coats so you can move back in within a defined window.
OUR PROCESS
- 01 Site inspection: check species, board condition, existing coating and subfloor.
- 02 Preparation: lift skirting quads if needed, punch nails, seal off adjacent rooms.
- 03 Rough sanding pass with a belt sander to remove old finish and level the surface.
- 04 Fine sanding with progressively finer grits, plus edger and detail work at walls.
- 05 Vacuum and tack-cloth clean between coats.
- 06 Sealer coat, then two topcoats of chosen finish, with light abrading between coats.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- From $35/m² as a starting rate — final quote depends on floor condition, area and finish choice.
- Water-based or oil-based polyurethane, or hardwax oil, depending on the room.
- Choice of matte, satin or gloss.
- Dust-controlled sanding as standard.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How long does it take to sand and polish a whole house?
A typical three-bedroom Peninsula home takes three to five working days — one day to sand, then a day per coat with drying time. Water-based finishes let us stage it tighter than oil-based.
Do we need to move out?
You need to stay off the coated floors for the drying and curing window. Most clients move out for two to three nights, or camp in a bedroom on the other side of the house.
How much dust does it actually make?
With dust-controlled sanding equipment there is very little airborne dust. There will be a fine settled dust on window ledges and horizontal surfaces at the end — we clean it before we coat.
Can you sand engineered timber?
Only if the wear layer is thick enough. Anything under about 2mm we recommend against. We’ll check yours during the inspection.
What is the difference between water-based and oil-based finish?
Water-based dries clear and fast, keeps the natural timber colour, and is what we generally recommend for coastal Peninsula homes. Oil-based ambers over time and is slower to cure.
What if some boards are damaged?
We repair or replace damaged boards before sanding. Where we can, we salvage boards from a cupboard interior to match the age of the existing floor.
Can I choose the sheen level?
Yes — matte, satin or gloss. Matte hides scratches and everyday wear best. Satin is the most common choice on the Peninsula. Gloss shows off the timber but every mark too.
Is the price per square metre firm?
The starting price is honest. The final quote depends on floor size, existing damage, complexity of edges and stairs, and the finish system you choose. We walk you through it before you commit.