Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Question is, how hard is it? The biggest home improvement job I have ever done is replace a kitchen countertop and put in a new sink. That almost killed me.
How much of a pain is sanding hardwoods and putting down a couple coats of poly? It would LR, hallway and 2 bedrooms. Do it myself, or leave it to the professionals?
I did it on my first rehab and I can tell u I will tell u I have paid everytime since!! It is a messy job that will take longer for you to do than the pros. Renting the sander, buying the belts, poly, poly applicator will run you a couple hundred bucks at least. Put that money towards a pro.
I pay about $1 foot for sanding and 3 coats of finish. It comes out looking perfect. The cost is minimal for what u get in return.
It really does look amazing when it gets done right. My guys have a crew of 3 or 4 that come in a blow them out quick, and quick with hardwoods isnt that quick. Its coating and letting the poly dry between each coat thats the hassle. And dont be in the house when there polying because you will get high as a kite. I have them do three coats to a glossy finish and i swear you can see your reflection in them when there done. They will be the first thing people notice, so yeah it needs to be done proffesionally.
Hi,
If you are trying to pinch pennies (like me)...do it yourself.
After hours and hours and hours of messing around wiht the sander...changing hot belts...coughing and sneezing...covering yourself with dust...and waking up in the ambulance after you forget how powerful the poyl vapors are...you will work a lot harder to find a property that has enough profit in it that you never have to do this again.
Bruce
Seriously, if I had to rank rehab upgrades in terms of greatest "value," refinished hardwoods are at the top of the list.
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“Some of the richest places on earth are cemeteries. There are unwritten books there, songs never sung. So many people go to their graves with unrealized potential.”[ Edited by monkfish on Date 05/22/2006 ]
Great timing for this post. I am bidding on a rehab with about 600 square feet of hardwood floor that I was seriously contemplating re-finishing myself.
Not any more!!!
I would say ... go for it. What do have to lose? Not to mention, any people that do show up may be more serious buyers.
My 2¢
Why not throw a Memorial Day BBQ and party.
Might draw in a real buyer in addition to all the neighbors looking for a free hot dog.
Make the open house a big deal.
John (LV)
Hey,
I may not have been specific enough concerning THIS referral program...
I offer $250 to anyone who finds a "friend" to buy our houses....on rentals I offer $100.
I have offered many, many times to pay someone for leads on houses....for example I send out a flyer 2 to 3 times a year to all my tenants offering $500 for information on houses.
Frankly, I think the fear of birddogs being turned in my realtors is a bunch of hooha.
Bruce
For some reason Sunday opens are the tradition here; perhaps because the State Journal runs a Homes and Land section Sundays. No one ever does them another day, at least until a couple of months ago when our office started trying out Wednesday opens. Not too great so far...
Monk and Newkid,
As a Realtor I agree.
Retail Open houses rarely sell the house, at least in my experience (10+ years). It does produce good buyer leads and is often done at the prodding of the seller.
As you said, the best open house results for us have been agent previews. Serving lunch or a late afternoon wine and cheese works wonders to get agents to show up.
If I was not an agent and wanted to sell a property I would approach several active offices and invite the agents to my property with drinks and food.
Jim[ Edited by jimandlacy on Date 05/24/2006 ]
Hello,
Seems to me you just need a (Call-Man)! Someone that you know to do your work and that know if he do not do a good job that you wont pay him! hire him to do the work only when you call him to do it! I havent hired anyone to do any of my rehab work. I have them on stand by in case I do need them. This way I am not taking up there time and they can go to work for someone else when I have no work for them or things are slow![ Edited by 5MILLIONMORE on Date 05/25/2006 ]
Just act as a general contractor. You can sub out work as needed for you rown property, If you need electrical work, call an electrical contractor, plumbing, plumbing contractor, etc.....
Just make sure they are licensed, have insurance, and will give you a waiver of lein before they get paid.
Oh! and make sure up front you get a detailed contract spelling out all of the work they will be doing and the cost.