Why floors punch above their weight
Floors are in every room, every photo, and every step of a showing. Scratched, dull, or carpet-covered hardwood reads as deferred maintenance; freshly refinished hardwood reads as a premium feature. It's also one of the few projects where the 'after' is unambiguous — no taste risk, unlike cabinet colors or tile choices.
If you have hardwood hiding under carpet, exposing and refinishing it is frequently the highest-value discovery in the whole pre-sale process. New wood flooring where none exists also over-recovers (~118% per NAR), though at a higher absolute cost.
Common questions
How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?
Typically $3–$8 per square foot depending on region and condition — roughly $2,000–$4,000 for an average home's exposed hardwood.
Should I refinish floors or replace carpet before selling?
If hardwood exists under the carpet, refinish it — buyers pay for hardwood by name. If not, fresh neutral carpet in bedrooms is a cheap condition reset.
Can I sell without refinishing scratched floors?
You can, but buyers will price the work in at a markup. At ~147% average recovery, doing it yourself before listing usually nets more.