TL;DR — Wood Floor Restoration Cost At A Glance
- Wood floor restoration costs £25–£45 per m², or roughly £500–£1,200 per room, across most of the UK.
- In London and the South East, expect £30–£58 per m², with rooms often at £650–£1,560.
- Restoration is the all-in job: sanding, board repairs, gap filling, re-fixing loose boards and a fresh finish.
- Price depends on the floor area and condition, the number of boards needing repair, and the finish.
- It is the right choice for tired, damaged or period floors hidden under carpet — more involved than a refinish, and often cheaper than a new floor.
- A survey is worth having first, because hidden board damage and levelling are the main reasons costs vary.
Get a fixed price for wood floor restoration — check prices and book online or arrange a survey to assess the floor.
Add to Preferred Sources How Much Does Wood Floor Restoration Cost In 2026?
Restoring a wooden floor costs £25–£45 per m² across most of the UK, which works out at roughly £500–£1,200 per room. In London and the South East, add 20–30%, taking the rate to £30–£58 per m² and rooms to around £650–£1,560.
Restoration is the most complete of the floor-care jobs. Where refinishing sands and re-seals, and buffing just recoats, restoration brings a neglected floor back to life: repairing or replacing damaged boards, re-fixing loose and squeaky ones, filling gaps, sanding out decades of wear and stains, and finishing with lacquer, oil or hardwax. It is the job for original floorboards uncovered after lifting an old carpet, and for period parquet that has seen better days.
The wide price range reflects how variable these floors are. A sound floor that just needs sanding, a little gap filling and a finish sits at the lower end. A floor with rot, woodworm damage, missing boards, or one that has to be levelled and partly relaid climbs towards the top — and occasionally beyond, if reclaimed timber has to be sourced to match.
| What you are paying for | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Restoration & repair (per m²) | £25–£45 | £30–£58 |
| Per room (typical) | £500–£1,200 | £650–£1,560 |
| Whole 3-bed floor (~60 m²) | £1,500–£2,700 | £1,800–£3,480 |
| Board replacement (per board) | £15–£40+ | £20–£55+ |
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 Restoration Cost By Scope And Room Size
Restoration is priced per square metre, but the scope of repairs is what moves a job within the range. These figures assume a finish is included.
| Scope | What it covers | Per m² | Typical room (18 m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light restoration | Sand, minor gap fill, finish | £25–£32 | £450–£575 |
| Standard restoration | Sand, gap fill, re-fix boards, finish | £30–£40 | £540–£720 |
| Full restoration | Board replacement, levelling, gap fill, finish | £38–£45+ | £685–£1,200+ |
| Period / parquet restoration | Matched repairs, parquet relay, finish | £40–£55+ | £720–£1,500+ |
Restoration is mostly a labour cost, but materials rise with the scope — replacement boards, reclaimed timber to match a period floor, resin for gap filling and the finish itself all add up. Sourcing matching reclaimed timber for a period floor is the single most variable cost.
What Affects The Cost Of Wood Floor Restoration?
Several factors decide the final price.
1. The Floor's Condition
The biggest driver. A sound floor needing a sand and finish is far cheaper than one with rot, woodworm damage, missing boards or heavy staining that has to be worked out or replaced.
2. Board Repairs And Replacement
Individual boards that are split, cupped, rotten or missing are repaired or swapped, typically £15–£40+ per board, more if reclaimed timber is needed to match an original floor. The number of boards involved makes a big difference.
3. Levelling And Structure
Uneven floors, sagging joists or subfloor problems add cost, as boards may need lifting, packing or relaying before sanding. This is common in older homes.
4. Gap Filling And Re-Fixing
Open gaps and loose, squeaky boards are dealt with as part of a proper restoration. Gap filling with resin and sawdust, and re-fixing boards to the joists, add labour.
5. The Finish
Two or three coats of lacquer, oil or hardwax, plus any stain or colour change, affect both cost and how long the restored floor keeps its look.
6. Location And Access
London and the South East run 20–30% higher than the rest of the UK, and awkward access, upper floors and furniture moving all add labour time.
What's Included — And What's Not
| Typically included in a restoration quote | Usually charged separately |
|---|---|
| Sanding back to sound, bare timber | Sourcing reclaimed timber to match a rare period floor |
| Repairing or replacing damaged boards (to the agreed scope) | Major structural work to joists or subfloor |
| Gap filling and re-fixing loose or squeaky boards | Woodworm or rot treatment |
| Two or three coats of the agreed finish | Removing old carpet, adhesive, gripper rods and staples |
| Moving heavy furniture and appliances |
A survey before quoting is worth having, because hidden damage under a carpet or old finish is the main reason a restoration comes in higher than a first estimate.
Can You Do It Yourself?
Parts of a restoration are within reach of a skilled DIYer — lifting carpet, pulling staples and gripper rods, and even hiring a sander for a sound floor. Doing this prep and the sanding yourself saves a good share of the labour.
Restoration proper, though, is where amateur jobs struggle. Matching and replacing boards, cutting in reclaimed timber, levelling a sagging floor, and diagnosing whether a problem is cosmetic or structural all take experience. Get the diagnosis wrong — finishing over rot or active woodworm, for instance — and the problem returns worse. For period floors, parquet, or any floor with significant damage, a professional protects an irreplaceable original feature and is usually worth the cost.
How To Save Money On Wood Floor Restoration
- Have a survey first so the scope and any hidden damage are known before work starts, avoiding surprise costs.
- Match the scope to the floor — a light restoration if the boards are sound, rather than paying for repairs you do not need.
- Do the prep yourself — lift carpet, pull gripper rods and staples, clear the room.
- Restore several rooms in one visit to share the setup and machine costs.
- Keep original boards where possible rather than replacing, as repairs are often cheaper than sourced reclaimed timber.
- Get 2–3 quotes based on the same surveyed scope, and compare what each includes.
How To Hire A Good Wood Floor Restoration Specialist
Restoration rewards experience with old and damaged floors, so ask to see before-and-after photos of similar projects and read independent reviews. Confirm insurance, and insist on a written quote based on a survey, itemising sanding, board repairs, gap filling and the finish. A good specialist diagnoses structural versus cosmetic problems honestly, checks for rot and woodworm before sanding, and sources matching timber for period floors rather than patching with a mismatch.
Fantastic Services works with vetted, insured wood floor restoration specialists and provides an up-front price — describe your floor and rooms to get a quote.
Bring damaged or ageing wooden floors back to life with professional restoration and repairs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Restore A Wood Floor?
In 2026, wood floor restoration costs £25–£45 per m², or roughly £500–£1,200 per room, across most of the UK, and £30–£58 per m² in London. The scope of repairs — board replacement, levelling and gap filling — decides where a job lands.
What Is The Difference Between Restoration And Refinishing?
Refinishing sands and re-seals a sound floor. Restoration goes further, adding board repairs or replacement, gap filling, re-fixing loose boards and sometimes levelling — the full job for a tired or damaged floor.
Is It Cheaper To Restore Or Replace An Old Wood Floor?
Restoring an original floor is usually cheaper than a full new installation, and it keeps the character and value of period timber that cannot easily be replaced. Replacement makes sense only where boards are beyond economic repair.
Can Floorboards Under An Old Carpet Be Restored?
Often, yes. Original floorboards revealed after lifting a carpet are frequently in restorable condition once the staples, gripper rods and adhesive are removed. A survey confirms whether they can be sanded and repaired or need partial replacement.
How Long Does A Wood Floor Restoration Take?
A single room typically takes two to four days depending on the repairs, sanding and finish, with drying time between coats. Whole-house restorations and period floors needing matched timber take longer.
Does Restoration Include Treating Woodworm Or Rot?
Not by default. Active woodworm or rot needs treating before restoration, and this is usually a separate cost. A good specialist checks for both before sanding, since finishing over an untreated problem lets it return.
