When it comes to home renovations, homeowners are always thinking of ways to save money. That’s why a lot of them are tempted to do the Do-It-Yourself method or DIY. While it may seem like a money-saving hack, the reality is often very different.
Just like other home renovations, you need someone professional in sanding your floors to avoid any risks together with unwanted and unnecessary costs.
People Are So Obsessed With DIY Home Projects
Everyone is glued to their phones, computers, and tablets because you can find almost everything on the internet, including different tutorials. Aside from the available resources online, doing things on your own gives you that rewarding feeling after completing a project.
While other DIY projects can be a success with just a simple YouTube tutorial; well, home renovations can be a little more complicated. Floor sanding requires a lot of skill, experience, and professional-grade tools to get the result that you wanted.
Which Is Better: Professional or DIY Floor Sanding?
Floor sanding may sound like an easy and fun DIY project, but it is actually far more complicated than that.
Floor sanding is the process of removing the top surface of a wooden floor using heavy-duty tools and top-grade materials to reveal a fresh and smoother surface ready for a new finish.
If you are torn whether to do the DIY method or hire a professional to do the job, here are three factors you can consider:
Cost
Cost is one of the most common reasons why people are considering DIY in doing home renovations.
With the DIY method, the upfront cost may be lower, depending on the equipment and materials you chose to use. However, given that you are inexperienced and lack the necessary experience, unwanted and unnecessary costs may occur in the long run.
On the other hand, if you hire a professional, the initial cost may be higher but you are getting top-notch service, speed, and guaranteed quality. This investment can be cost-effective in the long run as it avoids beginner’s error and poor quality results.
Additionally, you wouldn’t have to buy high-quality and expensive materials that you won’t be needing anymore, saving you money on material cost.
Time and Efficiency
DIY projects often need long hours because you still need to watch tutorials, and learn the basic skills needed.
Asking a professional to sand your floors is more efficient than actually doing the job by yourself. DIY floor sanding can take multiple days or even weeks, especially if errors occur.
But with some professional help, the project can be completed within a day or two, without any problems that might cost you stress and extra money.
Durability
Floor sanding offers a lot of benefits to your wooden floors, and one of them is to extend the lifespan and durability of your floors. It is not just a simple process of sanding your floors as it needs the right tools and skills to actually do the job right.
When you decide to do the sanding yourself, there’s a great chance that it can affect the durability of your floors. Inconsistencies in sanding may occur that could result in a floor prone to scratch, unevenness, and poor finishing.
With a professional, you can avoid all that. Aside from having the right tools and training, they have years of experience and know how to handle different timber types. Their expertise often results in a smooth and professional-grade flooring that your family can enjoy for years.
The Risks and Unnecessary Costs of DIY Floor Sanding
Two things to expect when you decide to go the DIY method are the risks and the unwanted costs. Here are some of the most common risks and unwanted costs of sanding your floors by yourself:
1. Uneven or Damaged Floors
Professional sanders usually have years of experience and proper training. They know how to handle different kinds of timbers correctly which ensures a smooth and leveled surface.
On the other hand, DIYers might not have any experience with the job, leaving the floors with uneven patches, swirl marks, or even damage it completely.
Correcting these mistakes can often cost more than the professional sanding cost.
2. Wasted Finishing Products
Most of the time, floor sanding is done to apply a new finish to wooden floors to make them feel and look brand new.
Applying finishes like stains or oils requires the same precision as sanding it. Using the wrong type of finish, or applying it incorrectly can ruin the final look of the floors.
Removal of this finish or doing it all over again will require you more money than just hiring a professional to do everything.
3. Dust and Health Hazards
Sanding your floors produces a huge amount of fine dust. Without a professional dust-extraction system and tools, this dust can spread throughout your home and can affect your family’s health, especially with children present.
4. Equipment Rental Fees Add Up
Floor sanding requires the use of professional-grade tools. But renting these tools can be higher than expected, depending on your location.
Aside from rental fees, you also have to buy different materials like sandpaper in multiple grits, dust masks, ear protection, and your choice of finish.
A lot of DIYers can underestimate how much these supplies add up, totalling to a much higher bill than hiring a professional.
When Should You Hire a Professional?
Budget is one of the biggest considerations when it comes to home renovations, including sanding the wooden floors. That’s why some people are opting to do it themselves thinking that they are saving money.
However, that is not always the case. There are a lot of consequences in going DIY, especially if you are sanding a large area of your home. Aside from that, not all wooden floors are created the same using the same materials.
Timber can be a delicate material and each kind requires a unique technique and method to ensure that you are getting the result that you want.
For a lot of homeowners, they prefer hiring a professional sander like Floorsanding NZ to ensure the quality and safety of their family.
Save Money and Your Floors With Floor Sanding NZ!
While DIY floor sanding may be tempting, it is still best to hire a professional sander to ensure a safe and quality finish.With Floorsanding NZ, you are getting your money’s worth.
We are one of the most trusted floor sanding experts in Auckland. Our team is composed of skilled professionals who can deliver exceptional results. Contact us and experience the service that you deserve.
