Hardwood floor sanding and refinishing
Bring your own sanders to homes and small businesses and restore worn hardwood floors.
- C$8k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A mobile service that sands hardwood floors back to bare wood, repairs minor damage, then stains and finishes them. You work with a drum sander, edger and buffer, plus dust extraction.
Your first three steps
- Take a flooring or refinishing course, or work a few weeks alongside an experienced sander, and practise on offcuts or a friend's floor
- Price your equipment, dust extraction and transport, then get commercial general liability insurance quotes
- Photograph your first jobs and ask local renovators, realtors and property managers to send you work
Who pays
Homeowners, people renovating or selling a house, landlords, and small shops, restaurants and offices with wood floors.
How it makes money
A price per square foot or per room, depending on the floor's condition and the finish chosen. Staining, repairs and extra coats of finish add to the job price.
Skills that help
- Steady hands and attention to detail
- Physical fitness for heavy equipment
- Quoting and measuring jobs accurately
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire help (rules vary by province)
- Older homes may have lead paint or other hazards on or near floors, so check your provincial guidance before disturbing old finishes
- Wood dust is a health and fire risk, so use proper dust extraction and a respirator
- Rags soaked in some oil-based finishes can self-heat, so check safe disposal guidance
- Check whether your municipality requires a business licence, and a home-based business licence if you run it from home
- Winter humidity and cold can affect drying times and wood movement, so plan your seasonal workload
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: hardwood floor sanding and refinishing
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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 Canada?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $25,000 CAD, depending on the sanders, edger, buffer and dust extraction you buy, plus insurance and a vehicle to carry the equipment.
How much can a floor sanding and refinishing business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many jobs you take, their size and the finishes you offer. Winter humidity and cold can affect drying times, so plan your seasonal workload.
What should I check before starting a floor sanding business in Canada?
Check liability insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire help, provincial guidance on lead paint in older homes, dust and fire safety, and safe disposal of finish-soaked rags. Also check municipal business licence requirements.
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