Recoat or refinish? What each costs in Boise.
A recoat renews the finish on top of the wood. A refinish sands down to bare wood and starts over. If your finish hasn't worn through, a recoat does the job in a day for a fraction of the price.
The short answer
| Buff & Coat (recoat) | Full sand and refinish | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.75/sq ft, $895 minimum | Typically $3 to $8/sq ft nationally |
| 1,000 sq ft | About $1,750 | About $3,000 to $8,000 |
| Time | 1 day | Several days |
| Dust | Very little | Sanding to bare wood |
| Changes the color | No | Yes, if you want |
| Fixes | Dull finish, light scratches, worn traffic paths | Bare wood, deep scratches, stains |
The recoat price is ours. The refinish range is the typical national range reported by HomeGuide; for a refinish quote on your floor, ask Matthews Hardwood Floors.
What a recoat costs with us
- Buff & Coat
- $1.75/sq ft
- Minimum
- $895
- 1,000 sq ft, about
- $1,750
- Second coat for worn or busy floors
- +$1.00/sq ft
- Floor Care plan member price
- $1.50/sq ft
When a recoat is enough
- The floor looks dull or flat in the busy rooms
- You see light scratches that catch the light
- The paths where people walk look worn, but the wood itself isn't exposed
- It's been 3 to 5 years since the last coat
When you need a full refinish
- The finish has worn through to bare, gray wood
- Scratches or gouges go into the wood itself
- There are pet stains, water marks or dark spots
- You want a different stain color
A quick test you can do
Put a few drops of water on the most worn spot. If the drops bead up, the finish is still there and a recoat will probably work. If they soak in and darken the wood within a few minutes, the finish is gone in that spot and the floor needs sanding.
A Floor Check-up settles it. We look at the floor, test a small patch, and tell you in writing which one you need.
Why recoating on time saves money
Finish is the layer that takes the wear. Renew it every few years and the wood underneath is never touched, so the floor never needs sanding. Wait until the finish wears through and the only fix is a full refinish, at several times the cost. Each sanding also removes wood, and a floor can only be sanded so many times.
Questions
How much does it cost to recoat hardwood floors in Boise?
Our Buff & Coat is $1.75 a square foot with an $895 minimum, so about $1,750 for 1,000 square feet. A second coat for worn or high-traffic floors adds $1.00 a square foot.
Is a recoat cheaper than refinishing?
Yes. A full sand and refinish typically runs $3 to $8 a square foot nationally and takes several days. A recoat is $1.75 a square foot and takes one day.
Can a recoat change the color of my floor?
No. A recoat adds clear finish over what is already there. Changing the stain color means sanding to bare wood, which is a full refinish.
How do I know which one my floor needs?
If the finish is dull or scratched but still covers the wood, a recoat works. If it has worn through to bare wood, it needs a refinish. A Floor Check-up tells you which, with photos and a written recommendation.
Updated November 2026 by Matthews Floor Care, the cleaning and recoating side of Matthews Hardwood Floors in Boise. Prices are our own published prices. Questions? Call or text (208) 314-9913.
Not sure what your floor needs? A check-up tells you.
Boise and Ada County. Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm.