Frequently Asked Questions

We have tried to answer and comment on the most frequently asked questions we get from customers.

Q: Does HARDWOOD EXPERIENCE sand and refinish existing hardwood floors?

A: Yes

Q: Does HARDWOOD EXPERIENCE install new hardwood floors?

A: Yes

Q: Should we paint before or after the floors are done?

A: We prefer to do the floors before painting is done, but we know it doesn't always work out that way. Either way, If you are planning to paint your baseboards a lite color, we suggest leaving the final coat on baseboards untill after the floors are done.

Q: What is your price per square foot?

A: We do not price jobs by the square foot. Every floor is different in the amount of work it will take to make it look its best. We would want to meet with you the customer, look at the job, discuss what will be done, and then price the job accordingly.

Q: Do you sell hardwood flooring?

A: Yes, we have many species and colors available with your choice of gloss, semi-gloss, or satin sheen. Our specialty is unfinished hardwood which is installed, sanded, and finished naturally or custom stained on site.

Q: We purchased prefinished hardwood already, will you install it for us?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you do any other kind of flooring?

A: Hardwood is pretty much all we do, sometimes we will do tile if its part of the same job.

Q: Do you refinish or install hardwood stairs too?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you refinish baseboards?

A: No, too time consuming.

Q: Do you install baseboards?

A: Not usually, it depends on the job.

Q: When HARDWOOD EXPERIENCE refinishes our floors, can we pick any color of stain?

A: Yes, provided you have a porous grained wood. (eg. Red Oak, White Oak, Ash) Maples and Birches are usually refinished natural with clear finish.

Q: Do we need to be out of our home while our floors are being done?

A: We do not require you to be out of your home but it usually works best if you are because you are not able to walk on the floors while they are being done. If you decide to stay during the work, you may want to have a back up plan should you find the noise and smell overwhelming.

Q: How long will the job take?

A: Depends on the job. Typically if we are refinishing all the floors in a 2-3 bedroom home the time frame is usually 5-7 days before traffic can resume.

Q: How much dust will there be?

A: HARDWOOD EXPERIENCE uses "up to date, top of the line" sanding equipment, which not only does a superior job of sanding, but also produces very little dust. Although it is probably impossible to have absolutely no dust, our equipment is about as good as it gets when it comes to dust containment.

Q: Will HARDWOOD EXPERIENCE match competitors prices?

A: Yes, we are very competitive. However, there is always going to be someone willing to go cheaper just to get the job. You will find our prices quite competitive based on the quality of workmanship you will receive. When comparing prices,"you must compare apples to apples & oranges to oranges".

Q: How many coats of finish will you apply?

A: We prefer 3 full coats of oil base urethane. Our jobs take a day or two longer to complete because we do not use any sealers. Yes, we will admit sealers do dry faster but they are not durable and have a tendency to peel. If your looking for durability, "3 coats of oil base urethane is the way to go!"

Q: Do you use waterbased finishes?

A: Yes sometimes. But only 2 component (with catalyst additive). These 2 component waterbased urethanes are more costly, and in turn will cost more for the customer.

Q: How strong will the smell be?

A: Strong!

Q: Do you wear a mask?

A: Yes, and hearing protection too!

Q: How long will the smell last?

A: Once final coat is dry the customer can ventilate the home and the smell will fade within a few days.

Q: Can we have our floors done in the winter? What about opening windows?

A: Of course you can do floors in the winter, in fact the coats dry quicker do to the dry climate during winter months. Windows are only opened a crack during the coating process in summer or winter.

Q: How shiny will our floor be?

A: Customers can pick from Gloss, Semi-Gloss, or Satin sheen. (90% of customers choose Semi-Gloss)

Q: Will my new floor scratch?

A: Yes, but it all depends on how you treat it.

Q: Will you move the furniture?

A: No.

Q: Can you get rid of squeaks?

A: Not usually.

Q: Do you do "out of town" jobs?

A: Yes, but it depends on the job. Call and we'll discuss it.

Q: Do you take on "short notice jobs"?

A: Yes, call and we'll discuss it.

Q: Who will be doing the work?

A: The owner will be doing the work (with a helper). Sometimes "the boss" (my wife) helps with custom stains and/or the recoats during the finishing process.

Q: Do you sand & refinish softwood floors? (eg. pine and fir)

A: Not usually, depends on the job. We will not attempt to refinish softwood floors that are heavily painted, glue or tar covered (too time consuming, costly, and hard on equipment).

Q: Do you install new softwood floors? (eg. knotty pine and fir)

A: Yes.

Q: Do you do custom borders, designs, inlays, artwork, logos?

A: Yes, we can do any kind of custom work you may want in your hardwood floor.

Q: Can we make payments or give you a post dated cheque?

A: No.

Q: Can I pay you on payday?

A: Not unless payday happens to be the day we finish your floors. (smiles)

Q: Do you have references?

A: Yes!!!