# How to estimate timber floor refinishing for a UK job

Plan the scope, check quantities and review an itemised timber floor refinishing estimate in pounds with a matching UK example PDF.

Canonical: https://quicklyestimates.com/en-gb/guides/how-to-estimate-hardwood-floor-refinishing/
Author: Estimates editorial team
Published: 2026-09-25
Updated: 2026-09-25

Use a measured 55.7 sq m occupied-home timber refinish example to separate the scope, quantities, product allowances and labour, then review the £2,769.80 illustrative PDF before making your own estimate.

THE SHORT ANSWER

Estimate timber refinishing by measured floor area and existing finish condition. Separate sanding, repairs and the selected finish so damaged boards and colour changes are visible scope decisions.

Use this fictional 55.7 sq m occupied-home timber refinish in Southampton to plan the estimate. The agreed work is: Sand and refinish 55.7 sq m of accessible existing timber floor in cleared rooms. Include protection, machine setup, sanding, a minor filler allowance, selected finish material allowance, application labour and clean-up. No board replacement, stain change or furniture moving. The matching timber floor refinishing example and PDF (https://quicklyestimates.com/en-gb/samples/hardwood-floor-refinishing-estimate/) shows the same inputs. These quantities and rates are teaching examples; use your own site measurements, product selections, supplier information and labour figures for a customer job.

1. Measure the refinished rooms

Record exact floor areas, thresholds and any closets to be included. Measured area should describe the wood receiving work, not the full dwelling.

2. Review board and coating condition

Deep damage, loose boards and prior coatings may affect scope. The sample includes only a minor filler allowance and assumes the floor is suitable for sanding.

3. Confirm finish selection

Identify product, sheen and whether colour change is requested. The example does not include stain work; product instructions govern the actual schedule.

4. Plan occupancy and handoff

Agree furniture removal, access, dust protection and when the selected finish can be used. State clean-up and any return work explicitly.

Calculate the measured lines

The PDF uses 6 separate items. For example, Floor sanding labour is 55.7 sq m × £19.80 = £1,102.86; Finish application labour is 55.7 sq m × £14.20 = £790.94. Check that each unit describes the work being priced: area for a surface, metres for a run, and a count or defined lump sum for a discrete task. A material purchase allowance can differ from the installed quantity when product sizes, cuts or layout require it.

Adding the 6 rounded line amounts gives £2,769.80 . The example PDF uses a 0% tax input and no markup; those settings do not determine how to price or treat an actual job. Do not copy the rates as a local price guide.

Check the scope before sending

- Measure included rooms and closets.
- Inspect board and finish condition.
- Approve product, sheen and colour scope.
- Agree access and furniture responsibilities.

Outside the base scope: No board replacement, floor levelling, stain-colour change, furniture moving or guaranteed removal of deep damage.

Confirm the site address, selected products, access, quantities, customer details and validity date. If opening the work reveals a different condition, record the change and update the relevant line before asking the customer to approve the revised work. Preview every page of the PDF so the written scope, line amounts and total tell the same story.

Common questions

Does refinishing include replacing bad boards?

Only when listed. Inspect and price board repairs as a separate task before refinishing.

Is stain included with finish?

This example excludes a colour change. Add a separate stain product and labour scope if requested.

(https://quicklyestimates.com/en-gb/samples/hardwood-floor-refinishing-estimate/) Preview of the matching estimate PDF · View the matching example (https://quicklyestimates.com/en-gb/samples/hardwood-floor-refinishing-estimate/)

FROM SITE NOTES TO AN ITEMISED PDF

Make your own timber floor refinishing estimate.

Enter the scope in Estimates on iPhone or Android, edit each quantity and rate in pounds, add your business and customer details, and review the PDF before sharing it.

Create an estimate ↗ (https://quicklyestimates.com/en-gb/download/)Explore the timber floor refinishing PDF example → (https://quicklyestimates.com/en-gb/samples/hardwood-floor-refinishing-estimate/)

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