How much does hardwood floor repair cost?

Hardwood floor repair cost

Hardwood floor repair costs $500 to $1,500 on average. Wood floor repair costs $2 to $20 per square foot on average or up to $80 per square foot to fix severe damage. Common repairs include fixing scratches, squeaky or uneven floors, replacing sections or boards, or repairing water damage.

Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Handymen and flooring contractors charge $30 to $60 per hour on average, plus materials.

Wood floor repair cost by fix

Hardwood floor repair costs $2 to $80 per square foot, depending on the damage and type of repair.

*Prices include materials & labor.

Wood floor scratch repair cost

The cost to fix scratched hardwood floors is $25 to $100 per scratch or $2 to $6 per square foot for larger areas. Repairing wood-floor scratches includes filling, sanding, staining, and refinishing. Deep scratches often require replacing sections of damaged planks.

Cost to fix squeaky wood floors

Squeaky wood floor repair costs $200 to $1,000 on average or up to $6,000 for severely damaged floors. Squeaking happens when the subfloor separates from the floor joists, or the floor structure weakens. Common fixes include reattaching the underlayment or filling gaps with wood and glue.

Cost to replace sections and boards of hardwood flooring

Replacing sections of hardwood flooring costs $5 to $20 per square foot, depending on the wood type, subfloor condition, and labor. For severe damage, replacing the floors entirely is cheaper at $6 to $15 per square foot. Replacing sections requires refinishing to match the existing floors.

Uneven or sagging hardwood floor repair cost

Uneven or sagging floor repair costs $1,000 to $6,000 on average or up to $10,000 for severe damage and foundation repairs. Typical causes are damaged joists, water damage, structural issues, drainage problems, termites, or soil settlement.

Fixing a sagging or uneven floor may include:

• An interior perimeter drainage system costs $2,000 to $10,000 on average or $40 to $85 per linear foot.
• Sinking foundation repair costs $1,300 to $1,500 per pier to support the house.
• The average cost to level a house is $3,500 to $10,000 for piering and underpinning a foundation.
• A termite inspection costs $75 to $150 on average.
• Termite treatment costs $330 to $800 on average.

Laminate wood floor repair cost

Laminate wood floor repair costs $4 to $11 per square foot for replacing damaged planks. Installing new laminate flooring costs $3 to $8 per square foot. Refinishing laminate wood isn’t possible due to the plastic surface layer, so widespread damage requires a total replacement.

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Wood floor water damage repair cost

Wood floor water damage repair costs $10 to $80 per square foot. Costs depend on if contractors replace a section or the entire floor, subfloor, and joists. Common water-damage symptoms include buckling and warping of floors.

Repairing a water damaged floor can include:

• Mold removal costs $15 to $30 per square foot.
• The average cost to refinish hardwood floors is $2 to $6 per square foot.
• Subfloor repair costs $35 to $80 per square foot for replacing small sections.
• The cost to replace a subfloor is $500 to $2,100 for a 200- to 500-square-foot room.
• The cost to replace floor joists is $2,000 to $10,000 per 200- to 500-square-foot room or $100 to $300 per joist.

Hardwood floor water cupping repair costs

Hardwood-floor cupping repair costs $2 to $6 per square foot for sanding and refinishing the area. Other fixes include drying out the floor and dehumidifying the area. Moisture or high humidity causes wood expansion that curls up the edges of the planks.

• Finding leaks – Plumbing repair costs $150 to $850 on average for detecting and fixing a leak.
• Dehumidifying – Installing a whole-house dehumidifier costs $1,000 to $3,000 on average. Portable dehumidifiers cost $170 to $300 for the unit alone.

Labor cost to repair hardwood floors

The labor cost to repair hardwood floors is $30 to $60 per hour on average or up to $125 per hour for difficult-to-access areas. Total labor costs depend on the project complexity, size, and furniture-moving requirements.

• Floor board repairs alone take 3 to 5 hours on average per room.
• Repairing water damage, subfloors, and joists takes 1 to 2 days on average.

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DIY hardwood floor repair cost

Use the following DIY tools for minor hardwood-floor repairs:

• Hardwood-floor repair kits cost $15 to $80 on average with color-matching tools.
• Wood putties and fillers cost $4 to $15 for minor surface chipping and gouges.
• Floor markers and stain pens cost $6 to $13 to cover light scratches and scuff marks.

For water damage, deep gouges, or mold, always call a professional.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between repairing and refinishing wood floors?

• Refinishing restores lightly worn wood floors by sanding, staining (optional), and applying a protective finish like polyurethane or lacquer.
• Repairing wood floors is best for extensive damages and typically involves reinforcing, grinding down, or replacing uneven and warped floorboards.

How do I know when I need to replace wood floors?

Replace hardwood floors when there is water damage, excessive wear and tear, many exposed nails, or on damaged floors refinished several times already. Ask a local hardwood floor installer for the best solution.

How do you protect hardwood floors from water damage?

Protect hardwood floors from water damage by using the following tips:

• Place mats near entrances to dry off wet shoes.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Keep damp items off the floor.
• Monitor plumbing for leaks.
• Apply sealant every 3 to 10 years.
• Use a cleaner designed for hardwood floors.

How do you repair engineered-wood flooring?

Engineered-hardwood floors can withstand sanding and refinishing one to two times before needing replacement. Contractors use epoxy injections to secure hollow spots, wood fillers to close gaps, or replace damaged floorboards if they are beyond repair.

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Hiring a hardwood flooring repair contractor

Before hiring a floor repair contractor near you:

• Get at least three in-person estimates.
• Check for certifications from the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) or other woodworking credentials.
• Look at their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Seek certified, insured, and bonded companies with 5+ years of experience.
• Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before work begins.
• Avoid companies with the cheapest quotes as quality may suffer.
• Don’t make full payments upfront. Use a payment plan and keep receipts.

Questions to ask

• Do you have experience repairing wood flooring?
• Can you show me a list of references and past projects?
• Do you provide free estimates?
• Will you move furniture? If so, does that cost extra?
• Are prep work and cleanup costs in this bid? What additional fees can I expect?
• How should I prepare my home for this project?
• Do you replace damaged floorboards? If so, what is the cost per board?
• Can you use nontoxic solvents if I’m allergic to heavy chemicals?
• Can you use a dustless-sanding method?
• Will you fill gaps and bleach stains before refinishing the floor?
• Do you water pop the floor to make it porous before staining?
• Will you use commercial-grade stains?
• Do you take humidity readings in between coats?
• What waterproofing and sealant options do you have?
• Do you handle the project yourself or use subcontractors?
• How long will the project take?
• Do you offer a warranty or guarantee?
• Will you provide a signed copy of the agreement?

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