TL;DR — Wood Floor Re-Oiling Cost At A Glance
- Wood floor re-oiling costs £8–£18 per m² across most of the UK, rising to £10–£23 per m² in London and the South East.
- Most jobs carry a minimum charge of around £150, since re-oiling a small room still needs a full setup.
- Re-oiling tops up the penetrating or hardwax oil on an oiled floor, restoring water resistance and a natural, matt look.
- Price depends on the floor area, the oil type, how much cleaning and light abrasion is needed, and the number of coats.
- Oiled floors need topping up periodically — far cheaper and easier than the full refinishing a lacquered floor eventually needs.
- Re-oiling can usually be done zone by zone, so worn traffic lanes are refreshed without redoing the whole floor.
Get a fixed price for wood floor re-oiling — check prices and book online or arrange a survey to confirm the oil type.
Add to Preferred Sources How Much Does Wood Floor Re-Oiling Cost In 2026?
Re-oiling a wooden floor costs £8–£18 per m² across most of the UK, rising to £10–£23 per m² in London and the South East. As it is a quick, low-material job, most specialists apply a minimum charge of around £150, so a hallway or small room is still worth the visit.
Oiled floors work differently from lacquered ones. Rather than sitting on top as a hard film, oil soaks into the timber and hardens within it, leaving a natural, matt finish that feels like wood rather than plastic. The trade-off is that oil wears from the surface over time and needs topping up — which is exactly what re-oiling is. The floor is cleaned, lightly abraded if needed so the new oil keys in, then one or more maintenance coats of oil are applied and buffed.
The big advantage of an oiled floor is repairability. Worn areas can be re-oiled on their own, blending into the surrounding floor without a visible join, so a busy hallway can be refreshed without touching the rest of the room. That makes ongoing upkeep cheaper than for a lacquered floor, which usually has to be recoated or sanded as a whole.
| What you are paying for | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Re-oiling (per m²) | £8–£18 | £10–£23 |
| Minimum job charge | from ~£150 | from ~£180 |
| Average room (15–20 m²) | £150–£360 | £180–£470 |
| Whole 3-bed floor (~60 m²) | £480–£1,080 | £600–£1,400 |
Figures include VAT where applicable and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the floor and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Wood Floor Re-Oiling Cost By Room Size And Oil Type
Re-oiling is priced per square metre, so area sets the total, subject to the minimum charge. The oil type affects the product cost and the finish.
| Room / area | Approx. size | Single maintenance coat | Two coats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallway or small room | up to 10 m² | ~£150 (min) | £150–£230 |
| Single bedroom | 12–15 m² | £150–£270 | £190–£350 |
| Double bedroom | 15–20 m² | £150–£360 | £230–£470 |
| Living room | 20–25 m² | £160–£450 | £280–£580 |
| Whole 3-bed floor | ~60 m² | £480–£1,080 | £650–£1,400 |
Re-oiling is mostly a labour cost, with the oil itself adding a few pounds per square metre. Hardwax oils cost a little more than basic penetrating oils but give better water and stain resistance, which matters in kitchens, hallways and dining rooms.
What Affects The Cost Of Wood Floor Re-Oiling?
Several factors decide the final price.
1. Floor Area
The main driver, subject to the minimum charge. Whole floors cost more overall but less per square metre. Re-oiling only the worn zones is a cheaper option where the rest of the floor is sound.
2. The Oil Type
Penetrating oils are the value option; hardwax oils cost more but resist water and stains better and last longer. Matching the new oil to the existing product gives the most even result.
3. Cleaning And Light Abrasion
A well-kept floor cleans quickly and takes new oil readily. A grimy or previously waxed floor needs cleaning back, and some floors need a light buff so the fresh oil keys in — both add labour.
4. Number Of Coats
One maintenance coat suits a lightly worn floor; two coats give more protection in high-traffic areas. Oil cures more slowly than lacquer, so extra coats extend the drying time.
5. Condition Of The Floor
Re-oiling revives a sound oiled floor. Where oil has worn through to grey, weathered timber, or the floor is scratched and stained, a light sand before re-oiling — or a full refinish — may be needed.
6. Location And Access
London and the South East run 20–30% higher than the rest of the UK, and furniture moving or upper-floor access adds time.
What's Included — And What's Not
| Typically included in a re-oiling quote | Usually charged separately |
|---|---|
| Cleaning the floor ready for oiling | A full sand on a badly worn or greyed floor |
| Light abrasion where needed so the oil keys in | Removing scratches, dents or stains |
| One or more maintenance coats of oil | Board repairs or replacement |
| Buffing off excess and basic clean-up | Moving heavy furniture and appliances |
| Switching a lacquered floor to an oiled finish (needs sanding first) |
Confirm whether the floor is genuinely oiled — re-oiling will not work over a lacquered surface, which must be sanded back first.
Can You Do It Yourself?
Re-oiling is one of the more DIY-friendly floor jobs. Applying a maintenance oil with a cloth or applicator over a clean floor is achievable for many homeowners, and doing so saves the labour cost. Oiled floors are designed to be topped up this way, which is part of their appeal.
The pitfalls are applying too much oil (leaving a sticky, uneven surface that never fully cures), using an oil that does not match the existing product, and not allowing proper curing time before use. Buffing off the excess correctly takes a little practice. For large floors, whole-house upkeep, or if you are unsure whether the floor is oiled or lacquered, a professional gets an even finish and confirms the right product to keep on using.
How To Save Money On Wood Floor Re-Oiling
- Re-oil worn zones only — hallways and in front of sofas — rather than the whole floor, where the rest is sound.
- Top up regularly before the oil wears through, avoiding the higher cost of sanding.
- Do several rooms in one visit to make the most of the minimum charge.
- Keep the floor clean with the right products so pre-oiling prep is quick.
- Move the furniture yourself so paid time goes on the floor.
- Get 2–3 quotes and check the oil matches your existing finish, not just the per-m² rate.
How To Hire A Good Wood Floor Specialist
Ask whether the specialist has confirmed your floor is oiled and which oil suits it, since matching the product is what keeps the finish even. Read independent reviews, confirm insurance, and get a written quote stating the oil type and number of coats. A good specialist tests a small area if the finish is unclear, applies oil sparingly and buffs off the excess, and gives realistic curing times before the floor is used.
Fantastic Services works with vetted, insured wood floor specialists and provides an up-front price — describe your floor and rooms to get a quote.
Protect and refresh your wooden floors with professional re-oiling
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Re-Oil A Wood Floor?
In 2026, re-oiling costs £8–£18 per m² across most of the UK and £10–£23 per m² in London, with a minimum charge of around £150. An average room comes to roughly £150–£360.
How Often Does An Oiled Wood Floor Need Re-Oiling?
It depends on traffic, but many oiled floors benefit from a maintenance coat every one to three years, with high-traffic areas topped up more often. Re-oiling before the oil wears through to bare timber keeps upkeep cheap and easy.
What Is The Difference Between Re-Oiling And Refinishing?
Re-oiling tops up the oil on an oiled floor without sanding, so it is quick, cheap and can be done zone by zone. Refinishing usually means sanding back and applying a fresh finish, which costs more and is needed when a floor is scratched, stained or worn through.
Can You Re-Oil A Floor Without Sanding?
Yes, provided the floor is oiled and the finish is sound. The floor is cleaned and lightly abraded if needed, then re-oiled. If the oil has worn through to grey or damaged timber, a light sand may be needed first.
Can An Oiled Floor Be Re-Oiled In Patches?
Yes, and this is a key advantage of oiled floors. Worn traffic lanes can be cleaned and re-oiled to blend into the surrounding floor without a visible join, so busy areas are refreshed without redoing the whole room.
Can A Lacquered Floor Be Re-Oiled?
No. Oil cannot penetrate a lacquered surface, so a lacquered floor must be sanded back to bare timber before it can be oiled. If you want to switch from lacquer to oil, budget for a full sand and finish.
