Floor sanding and polishing tradie
Sand back and re-coat timber floors in homes, rentals and offices using your own machines and ute or van.
- A$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Travelling to customers' properties to sand timber floors, fill gaps and apply stain, polyurethane or oil finishes. Most of the work is renovations, pre-sale updates and end-of-lease refreshes.
Your first three steps
- Get hands-on experience by working with an established floor sander or taking a short course, then practise on offcuts or a friend's floor
- Price up a drum sander, edger, dust extraction and finishes, then compare buying second-hand with hiring
- Contact local builders, property managers and real estate agents, and offer a free quote with photos of your finished work
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, builders and small offices or cafes with timber floors.
How it makes money
Quote per square metre, usually covering sanding and a set number of coats. Extras include stain, gap filling, stair work and repairs.
Skills that help
- Operating sanding machines safely
- Attention to detail for a smooth finish
- Quoting and measuring jobs
- Physical fitness
Watch out for
- Check your state's licensing rules, as some states require a builder or contractor licence above a certain job value
- Public liability insurance, and workers compensation once you hire
- Dust and fumes: use proper extraction, masks and good ventilation, as fine timber dust is a health risk and a fire risk
- Strong finish fumes and drying times can disrupt occupied homes, so plan ahead with customers
- Check the floor for old lead-based paint or other hazards before sanding older homes
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: floor sanding and polishing tradie
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a floor sanding business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on the machines and vehicle you buy and what you already own. Get quotes for your own equipment list before committing.
How much can a floor sanding and polishing business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $14,000, depending on how many jobs you take on and their size. This is revenue before costs, and it assumes at least about 20 hours a week.
Do I need a licence or insurance to sand floors in Australia?
Check your state's licensing rules, as some states require a builder or contractor licence above a certain job value. Also check public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, dust and fumes controls, and lead-based paint risks in older homes.
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