Glue Hardwood Refinish VS Laminate

[Ryan Sullivan]

Hi BP,

I'm currently prepping my house to be sold within the next month. It has one major issue, the upstairs original hardwood was covered with carpet and a ton of glue. Almost every single floor refinishing contractor said nope not touching it. 

Although, I have one guy who's up and coming. He actually did a clear coat refinish on the first floor. He also fixed, sanded, stained and poly'd my stairs that had carpet. He did a pretty good job and only charge 1 dollar a sq ft total.

Well my issue is, I've been hemorrhaging money into this house this past month. He said he could use a diamabrush on the wood to remove the glue, then stain, and poly for 4 bucks a square foot total. problem is he's never used the diamabrush before. I looked it up, and it actually doesn't look too bad to use.

Now would it be worth it to do that, or to install laminate flooring instead, and go with the cheapest available that doesn't look bad. I could also install this myself. 

On the other hand time is of the essence, and things are costing a lot so I've been working OT to pay for them. So I either work OT and get it done faster, and pay a lot. Or don't myself and it takes longer.

So the three questions are:

1.) Do I go with refinishing the hardwood to have refinished hardwood throughout and pay the guy. This would be most expensive, but quick.

2.) Have him instead do laminate. This would be mid range and quick.

3.) I do the laminate instead. This is obviously the cheapest but longest. 

Thank you so much for any responses.

Ryan