How Long Does Refinishing Hardwood Floors Take?: A Realistic Timeline for Refinishing Hardwood Floors: What to Expect in 2024

Refinishing hardwood floors can dramatically change the feel of any home, giving old wood a fresh lease on life. But before you dive in, it’s smart to know: how long does it really take to refinish hardwood floors? As a designer who’s navigated this process in everything from cozy bungalows to sprawling open-floor plans, I can promise there are surprises, but also proven strategies to plan your project (and your life) around minimal downtime.

On average, refinishing hardwood floors takes about 4 to 7 days from start to finish for most homes. But the real timeline depends on the area’s size, the floor's current condition, the types of wood and finish, whether you’re DIY-ing or hiring pros, and (believe it or not) local humidity. Let’s break down the stages so you can schedule with confidence:

Project Planning for Floor Refinishing

Start by clearing all furniture and rugs from the space — even closets with wood floors. This prep step can take a few hours or a whole day depending on the room count and layout. Need inspiration on rearranging your layout afterward? There are great online visualizers that make this part less stressful.

Professional crews often set up dust containment and protect adjacent rooms, adding another half-day. If you’re DIY-ing, gather all the materials ahead of time: sandpaper grits, stain, sealer, poly, and protective masks are absolute musts.

Level of Detail & Time Breakdown

Floor refinishing generally rolls out as follows:

1. Sanding: 1–2 days (for ~500–1000 sq ft). Removing old finish, fixing scratches, and smoothing boards are time-intensive, especially if your wood has lots of stains or uneven patches.
2. Staining: 1 day, including dry time. Not all projects require staining, but if you change the floor color, add 2–4 hours for application, then 24 hours for drying before sealing.
3. Sealing & Finishing: 2–3 days. Most modern finishes need two to three coats, each with their own dry time. Water-based polyurethane dries faster (2–4 hours between coats), while oil-based formulas (still very popular in the US per Houzz’s 2025 trends report) require 8–12 hours of drying per coat.
4. Final Curing & Move-In: While floors are dry to the touch after a few hours, full curing can take a few days to a week, especially before moving heavy furniture back or allowing pets with claws on the new finish.

Case Study: Real Home Timeline

Last fall, my team refinished 850 sq ft of original oak in a 1920s home near Chicago. Prep and sanding took 2 full days, mainly due to old carpet glue in spots. Staining (classic walnut, two coats) stretched over the third day. Finish coats—a water-based poly for fast turnover—were done by the end of day five. Light foot traffic was fine on day six, but we advised waiting 10 days before moving back oversized furniture. That buffer time made a real difference in keeping the floors pristine.

If you’re curious about budgeting for your next renovation, check out our floor planning tool for cost and layout experiments before sanding even starts.

AI-Assisted Modeling: Plan for Less Disruption

Pandemic years sparked huge demand for user-friendly design software. Now, tools like AI-powered home design can mock up your refinished spaces in minutes—so you can see how new stains or sheens look before locks are picked up or sanders rented.

I’ve seen families use these tools to test bedroom or kitchen traffic flows, pre-planning where to store essentials while work is underway. According to recent Autodesk Research, this reduces change orders and helps everyone stick to the schedule, because you’re not improvising as you go.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

In my experience, delays most often happen because of:

1. Underestimating drying and curing times—especially when using oil-based poly in humid regions (hello, summer in the South!). Always double expected dry times when weather is damp.
2. Moving furniture in too soon. Even a day or two can indent soft, uncured finishes.
3. Not accounting for repairs to damaged planks, which may add a day or more if wood needs replacing.
4. Skipping rental reservations for sanders or shop vacuums, which can push your schedule back in busy seasons.

FAQ

1. How long before you can walk on refinished hardwood floors?
2. Typically, light foot traffic is allowed after 24 hours, but wait at least 72 hours for normal use.
3. Is it faster to refinish DIY or hire pros?
4. Pros can save a day or more thanks to better equipment and experience—but booking time varies. If you’re new to sanding or staining, plan on the longer end of that 4–7 day range.
5. What impacts refinishing time the most?
6. Humidity, type of finish (oil-based takes longer than water-based), floor repair needs, and room size.
7. Try out a visualizer for an idea of how different finishes will look ahead of time.
8. Can pets stay in the house while floors are refinished?
9. No—fumes, dust, and uncured finishes are dangerous. Plan on keeping pets and kids away during the entire process and the initial curing phase.
10. How long before moving furniture back?
11. Wait at least 4–7 days for light pieces, longer for area rugs and heavy furniture (up to 2 weeks for some oil-based finishes).
12. Does it always take a week for refinishing?
13. No, smaller rooms and faster-drying finishes can cut total time to 3–5 days. But plan extra time for safety.
14. How much does professional floor refinishing cost?
15. According to Statista 2025, US average is $3–$8 per sq ft, with Manhattan jobs trending even higher.
16. Do all hardwoods refinish at the same speed?
17. No, softer woods may need lighter sanding and more dry time; classic oak is most forgiving.
18. Can refinishing fix water damage?
19. Sanding removes surface stains, but deep water damage might need full plank replacement.
20. What if I just want to restore my floors without complete sanding?
21. Buffing & re-coating can refresh floors in 1–2 days, but only works if the wear isn’t too deep.
22. Are there new finishes that cure faster?
23. Yes, some newer water-based and UV-cured finishes set in hours. Always check product specs before starting.
24. Should I stay somewhere else during refinishing?
25. If possible—yes. The dust, smell, and need to avoid walking on wet finish usually makes hotel or friend’s house a better (and safer) option for 2–5 nights.