Overview
Floor sanding is sold by the square metre and the species, and the dust extraction is the line that decides the customer's morning
Floor sanders are the specialist trade that takes a tired timber floor (typically pine, oak, parquet, or strip floor) and brings it back to a clean, smooth, sealed finish. The work is partly the sanding (multiple grits from coarse to fine, edges with a smaller machine, corners and stair treads by hand) and partly the finishing (oil, lacquer, or hardwax-oil applied in multiple coats with overnight cures between). The customer's biggest concern is dust: a poorly equipped sander fills the house with fine timber dust that gets into every surface, and the family can't move back in for a week. A flat 'floor sanded, $30/m²' quote without naming the dust-extraction system and the finish coats misses the practical experience.
QuoteGenio gives floor sanders a quoting shape that fits residential restoration. Survey and species identification as the first line, sanding labour by square metre with the grit sequence noted, dust-free system as a named feature, repairs for split boards or missing pieces, edge and corner sanding, stairs (treads and risers) by piece, finish system (oil, lacquer, hardwax-oil) by brand with the coat count, and a final cure period before the family can walk on the floor. Send via WhatsApp or email to the homeowner with photos of the existing floor, take a deposit on the booking, and the final invoice attaches the after photos and a maintenance care card.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of floor sanding and refinishing business.
The problem
The quoting headaches every floor sander knows
Sanding is priced by the square metre but clients forget about filling, repairs, stain, and the three coats of sealant. Itemise everything and protect your margin.
Measuring and assessing takes time
Every floor is different: board condition, existing finish, gaps, nail stains. Walking each room and photographing takes 30-60 minutes you cannot charge for.
Finish system choices confuse quotes
Oil-based vs water-based vs hardwax oil. Each has different prices, durability, and smell. Generic 'sealant' quotes lose work to specialists who explain the system.
Clients compare on sq m only
They see '$ 28 per sq m sanding and sealing' and pick the lowest. Without itemised quotes showing filling, repairs, stain, and coats, the real job is hidden.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
Structured quotes with sanding, filling, stain, primer, and top coats on separate lines so the client sees every stage.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for floor refinishing
Line items for edge sanding, main sanding (multiple passes), filling, repair, stain, primer, and top coats. Every stage priced separately.
Quote from the site visit
Check board condition, note gaps and damage, test a corner, and send the quote before you leave.
Under 3 minutes per quote
Duplicate your standard refinishing template, swap areas and finish choice, send.
Warranty written in
Save manufacturer warranties (Bona, Junckers) and your workmanship warranty in terms. They attach to every quote automatically.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how floor sanders actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Floor Sanders choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Floor Sanders build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Floor Sanders job pricing
Guideline pricing for common floor sanding jobs. Rates shift with floor type (solid pine vs parquet vs engineered), finish system, condition, and access. Use as a sanity check on your own rate card.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Sand and seal (per sq m, water-based) | $ 32 - $ 65 / sq m |
| Sand and oil (per sq m) | $ 38 - $ 75 / sq m |
| Sand, stain, and seal (per sq m) | $ 45 - $ 88 / sq m |
| Edge sanding (per m of perimeter) | $ 8 - $ 18 / m |
| Board repair or replacement (per board) | $ 28 - $ 85 / board |
| Gap filling (per sq m) | $ 6 - $ 18 / sq m |
| Dust-free sanding (premium, per sq m) | $ 45 - $ 85 / sq m |
Pricing shown in USD as a rough benchmark. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Most floor sanders quote free for domestic jobs under 50 sq m. For heritage parquet, sports floors, or commercial work, charge a $ 150 to $ 320 survey fee that includes a moisture reading and test sand on a small area. Refund against the contract.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use fixed per-sq-m pricing for standard sand-and-seal jobs on rectangular rooms. Use hourly rates ($ 65 to $ 120 per sander per hour plus consumables) for complex parquet patterns, heritage restorations, extensive board repairs, or anything where the scope is genuinely unknown. State clearly which sections are fixed.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
A floor refinishing quote that shows sanding, gap filling, repairs, and each coat of sealant wins work because the client sees the full process. Lump-sum quotes lose to specialists.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Sand and seal, 85 sq m oak floor with gap filling and three coats water-based
Empty and protect rooms (dust sheets)
Main sanding (3 passes: 40, 60, 100 grit)
Edge sanding along perimeter
Gap fill (board to board)
Replace 8 damaged boards
Bona NaturalSeal (base coat)
Bona Traffic HD (2 top coats)
Site clean and dust removal
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty and protect rooms (dust sheets) | 1 | $ 120 | $ 120 |
| Main sanding (3 passes: 40, 60, 100 grit) | 85 | $ 18.00 / sq m | $ 1,530 |
| Edge sanding along perimeter | 38 | $ 12.00 / m | $ 456 |
| Gap fill (board to board) | 85 | $ 10.00 / sq m | $ 850 |
| Replace 8 damaged boards | 8 | $ 55.00 ea | $ 440 |
| Bona NaturalSeal (base coat) | 85 | $ 8.00 / sq m | $ 680 |
| Bona Traffic HD (2 top coats) | 85 | $ 16.00 / sq m | $ 1,360 |
| Site clean and dust removal | 1 | $ 180 | $ 180 |
| Subtotal | $ 5,616 | ||
| Tax (10%) | $ 562 | ||
| Total incl. tax | $ 6,178 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Gap filling (critical on old pine floors), board repairs, sanding perimeter separately, water-based vs oil-based pricing difference, three coats minimum (never two), dust-free equipment option, 24-hour drying time between coats, and overnight protection if the client is still living in the house. Bake these into your quote template.
Peer snapshot
How Floor Sanders actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Floor Sanders on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
35
Quotes sent per month
51%
Average quote acceptance
3 min
Median time to send quote
$ 6,178
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
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Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
Floor sanders tell us these are the pricing mistakes that let cowboys undercut and ruin trust in the trade. Fix these in every quote and your margin and reputation both improve.
Mistake: Quoting 'sand and seal' as one rate
Better: Break it into main sanding (multiple grits), edge sanding, filling, stain, and each coat of sealant. Clients who see 6-10 lines understand the work. Clients who see one number compare on price only.
Mistake: No allowance for board repairs
Better: Every sanded floor reveals cracked, rotten, or missing boards. Quote repairs per board as a provisional sum of 3-10 boards. Clients accept a planned allowance; they dispute surprises.
Mistake: Wrong finish specification
Better: Oil-based polyurethane, water-based polyurethane, and hardwax oil all have different prices, durability (oil 7-10 years, water 10-15 years, hardwax oil 5-8 years with easier repair), and VOC levels. State exactly what product you are using and why.
Mistake: Forgetting perimeter and edge sanding
Better: Main sanders do not reach walls or obstacles. Edge sanding is slower and typically 20-40% more per linear metre than main sanding per sq m. Quote edges by running metre, not as a bundled cost.
Mistake: No dust containment
Better: Dust-free sanding uses specialist equipment that costs more but saves the client a week of cleaning. Quote the premium (typically 20-30% extra) as an optional upgrade. Clients living in the home usually pay for it once it's explained.
Mistake: Only two coats on the quote
Better: Three coats is the standard. Oak can take four coats for the best finish. Quote minimum three coats and explain that two-coat jobs fail within 2 years in high-traffic areas. Under-quoting coats undercuts quality and costs you callbacks.
Mistake: Site cleanup assumed free
Better: Dust from sanding is significant. Quote site cleanup as a line ($ 120-$ 280) or state clearly that the client is responsible. Silence leads to complaints.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote floor sanding jobs
Walk every room before you price anything. Measure the floor area in square metres and the perimeter in running metres because edge sanding is quoted separately. Identify the species (pine, oak, parquet, maple) because this drives the grit schedule: pine needs a 40-60-100 sequence, oak often needs 36-50-80-120, parquet needs diagonal passes plus extra edge work. Count damaged boards, note nail heads, measure gap widths between boards, and check for old finish type (existing polyurethane, wax, shellac) because each needs different preparation. Test a small corner to confirm the timber is solid enough to sand. For heritage parquet, sports floors, or commercial work, charge $ 150 to $ 320 for a survey that includes a moisture reading and test sand patch, refundable against contract.
Itemise main sanding (with grit passes listed: 40, 60, 100), edge sanding separately by running metre because it is 20 to 40 percent more labour-intensive than field sanding, gap filling per square metre with the method named (resin plus sanding dust, cork slivers for 10mm+ gaps), and board repair or replacement per board at $ 28 to $ 85 each. Stain application is its own line when required, with the brand and colour code stated. Each coat of sealant is quoted as a separate line: base coat (Bona NaturalSeal), two top coats (Bona Traffic HD, Junckers HP Commercial), never fewer than three coats total. Dust-free sanding upgrade at 20 to 30 percent premium, overnight drying time disclosed (24 hours water-based, 48 hours oil-based), dust sheet protection, and site cleanup at $ 120 to $ 280 all get discrete lines.
Floor sanding quotes hold for 30 days because Bona, Junckers, and premium hardwax oil pricing moves with imports and quality product stock is limited. Require a 30 to 40 percent deposit on acceptance, balance on final coat inspection. State the manufacturer warranty (Bona Traffic HD 10 to 15 years commercial durability) and a 5 year workmanship warranty on the finish. Drying and cure times must be disclosed because water-based allows 3 coats in a day while oil-based needs 24 hours between coats. Clients who live in the house during the job are warned that the finished floor cannot be walked on for 24 hours and furniture cannot be returned for 7 days (hardwax oil) or 14 days (polyurethane). Colour and sheen (matte, satin, semi-gloss) must be signed off before the top coat goes down.
Sanding clients compare on square metre price and pick specialists who explain the product system in writing. Send the quote within 24 hours of the site visit with the grit schedule, product code, and coat count clearly itemised, because this is what distinguishes you from grind-and-seal cowboys. Build the quote on WhatsApp for residential clients and email for commercial. Follow up after three days with photos of similar completed floors (oak with Bona Traffic, pine with hardwax oil) to build trust. Offer a recurring re-oil service quote ($ 8 to $ 18 per square metre every 2 to 5 years for hardwax oil floors) within a week of completion. Variations during the job (additional board replacement beyond allowance, stain colour change, extra coats) must be quoted before execution because coats cannot be un-done cleanly.
FAQ
Common questions from floor sanders
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Build templates for water-based, oil-based, and hardwax oil. Duplicate the right one for each new job, swap areas and details, send.
Yes. Add separate line items for 'clear finish' and 'stained finish'. Include the stain brand and colour reference in the description so the client knows exactly what they are getting.
Yes. Save Bona, Junckers, or your preferred brand's warranty in the terms section. It attaches to every quote and the PDF.
Yes. Every quote has a shareable link. Tap to send via WhatsApp. Your client views a professional PDF on their phone before you are back at the yard.
Pine is soft and needs a 40-60-100 grit sequence; oak often needs 36-50-80-120 grit for best finish; parquet needs careful diagonal sanding plus edge work. Quote each floor type with its specific grit schedule and note the sequence in the description. Heritage parquet is typically 40-70% more expensive than plank sanding because of the additional passes and gap filling.
Water-based is more expensive in product, dries faster (enabling 3 coats in a day), has lower VOCs, and has longer durability. Oil-based is cheaper in product, takes 24 hours to dry between coats, has high VOCs (not great for occupied homes), and ages to a warmer colour. Quote them as options so the client chooses. Most water-based sealers price 25-40% higher on the quote.
Old pine shrinks and gaps need filling before sanding or they show in the finish. Gap fill product (resin, sanding dust + filler, or cork strips) costs $ 6-$ 18 per sq m of floor. Severe gaps (10mm+) need cork or timber slivers, typically $ 12-$ 28 per running metre. State the fill method in the quote.
Heritage floors need hand-sanding in areas, specific period-appropriate finishes (hardwax oil or traditional shellac), and sometimes approval from heritage bodies. Quote at 50-100% above standard rates, and include a line for heritage body submission fees or conservation officer approval if applicable.
Quote descriptions support reference URLs to hosted images. Many sanders photograph the floor, apply small stain swatches, and link to the photo from the quote notes.
Yes. Hardwax oil finishes need re-oiling every 2-5 years in high-traffic areas. Offer a re-oil service as a recurring quote sent annually, typically $ 8-$ 18 per sq m.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Reviews
Trusted by tradespeople
Real feedback from people who quote for a living.
"Quoting per square metre used to take me forever. I have templates set up now that cover lawn, pavers, and planting separately. Cuts my admin in half."
Nathan Walsh
Landscaper · Melbourne
"I used to forget to follow up on quotes. Now I can see what has been viewed, approved, or still pending. Makes my workflow much easier."
Brandon Daniels
Installer · Paris
"Insurance companies want clear itemised quotes. Mine used to be handwritten and got rejected. Now they look proper and get approved first time."
Rashid Omar
Panel Beater · Durban
Guides
Guides for Floor Sanders
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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