Plain answers, without the sales spin. If your question isn’t here, call or text Charlie — he’ll tell you straight, even if the answer is that you don’t need him yet.
What does refinishing actually involve?
Refinishing means sanding the floor down past the old finish and the worn top layer of wood, then building a new finish back up. Depending on the floor and the look you want, that includes a stain and a set of finish coats. It is not a coat of polish — it is a new surface made from the wood you already have.
How long will the floor be out of commission?
Usually a matter of days per area. It depends on the square footage, how much repair the floor needs, and how long the finish takes to cure. You get a real timeline in writing with the estimate, plus the day you can start moving furniture back.
How much dust are we talking about?
Sanding makes dust — anyone who says otherwise is selling something. I seal off the work area with plastic, run sanders with dust collection, and vacuum between passes. You may find some fine dust on nearby surfaces. You will not be living in a cloud.
How soon can we walk on it?
It depends on the finish and the weather. Plan on staying off the floor for at least a day, then socks only, and longer before rugs and heavy furniture go back. I give you the exact window before I start and leave written care instructions when I go.
Do you take small jobs, or only whole houses?
Both. One bedroom, a hallway, a stair landing, or the whole first floor. Small jobs are often the ones that make the biggest difference in a room, and I am glad to quote them.
What’s the difference between refinishing and just recoating?
A recoat (sometimes called a screen and recoat) scuffs the top finish and adds a new coat over it, without sanding to bare wood. It’s cheaper and faster, but it only works if the existing finish is still bonded and the damage is superficial. If the finish is flaking, or the gray has reached the wood, a recoat just traps the problem. Part of the estimate is telling you which one you actually need.
Can you change the color of my floor?
Yes, in most cases. Sanding to bare wood is the one moment a floor can take a new stain, so refinishing is when you’d move from an orange 1990s oak to a cooler natural or a deeper walnut tone. You pick the color from samples on your own wood, not a photo on a screen — stain reads differently on every species.
Should I move my furniture first?
Yes. Clearing the rooms before the start date saves time and keeps your things out of the dust. Charlie will tell you exactly what needs to be out, and what can stay in a sealed-off room, before the day arrives.
What about my pets during the work?
Plan to keep them away from the work area and off the fresh finish, which is the same rule for people. Fresh finish is soft for a while and a set of claws in it is permanent. Tell Charlie about pets when you book so the schedule accounts for them.
Do you work on engineered hardwood or only solid?
Solid hardwood is the straightforward case. Engineered floors can often be refinished once or twice, but it depends on how thick the wear layer is — some are too thin to sand. Send a photo of the floor edge or a vent cutout and Charlie can tell you before anyone drives out.
How do I keep it looking new afterward?
Keep grit off it. A mat at every outside door does more for a floor than any product. Damp-mop with a cleaner made for finished hardwood, never a soaked mop or a steam mop, and skip the waxes and oils that build up a film. Charlie leaves written care instructions after every job.