Refinishing Hardwood Floors

[Drew Smith]

My wife and I bought our first rental house. Wow the place was a wreck but the more people I am talking to it seems to be the case when you purchase something off market. My question is the wood floors they are original to the home which was built in the 30's-40's. Is this something any body has tackled? renting the sanders the dust collectors etc or is it better just to have it hired out. We are doing alot of the other work ourselves.

[Tim Criswell]

I read some good advise in several of the above replies. I've finished 6 floors while I was rehabbing them. From that experience, from dust control, (including HVAC) renting good equipment, the labor of getting it and returning it, and learning all of the things not to do with a piece of equipment that could destroy it in a short amount of time, if it's ultimate effect isn't realized and respected. Once hardwoods have been sanded down so far, they have to be replaced. Having learned what I learned through the 6 I've done, if I'm going to rent it, I'll find an economical covering that won't permanently damage the hardwood and keep it as an option later. My experience is hardwoods help sell houses if they are in nice (used gently) condition or better. I just sold a small 2/1 with the livingroom and 2-bedrooms in hardwood that I refinished so I could stain it darker with walnut. It must have worked. I got 9% over market value for it, and didn't have to list it or put a FOR SALE sign in the front yard. Is that considered (-1) days on the market... My bottom line is, protect hardwoods if your going to rent it and make them beautiful (professionally or personally) to sell it. JMHO Good luck with whatever your decision is.