Floor refurbishment can be big job, and not always something you can do yourself. You might find that it’s simpler - though unfortunately, not cheaper - to bring in the experts to do it for you.

When we buy a house, we generally try not to think about the floorboards... at least not until we have to.

Although floorboards are designed to last for a very long time, everything has its expiration date, and you might find that yours need replacing when they start creaking beneath your feet. This is more common in older houses, or houses where damp protections have failed, leading to rot.

In this blog, we take a look at a few frequently asked questions about floor refurbishment and hopefully clear up any concerns you have about your creaky floorboards.

Can you repair floorboards?

It’s certainly possible to replace floorboards without needing to resort to a full replacement. However, this will depend on the level of damage or rot, as well as the type and design of the floorboards.

If you’re noticing slight creaks, it’s likely that the floorboard has worked loose from its fittings. This is a simple matter of lifting the floorboard then screwing it back into the initial nail holes. If the floorboard is worn at the sides and no longer fits into the initial holes, you can drill new ones. Always take care to check for pipes or wires first.

If you find that your floorboards have split, warped, or shrunk due to damp, you might need to replace them.

Can you replace floorboards yourself?

Like a lot of jobs around the house, you can replace floorboards yourself. However, that doesn’t mean you necessarily should do it yourself.

DIY floor replacement will certainly be cheaper, but you shouldn’t underestimate the size of the job: this is orders of magnitude bigger than putting together flatpack furniture.

Floor refurbishment involves pulling up the old floorboards, which will reveal the joists beneath and turn the room into an assault course. Not only is this unsightly, and a great way to make the room off-limits for a while, it can also be potentially risky. You’ll be opening up voids and creating trip hazards, which will make the work dangerous.

If you’re planning to replace floorboards yourself, you should invest in relevant safety equipment, such as joist mats and PPE, to keep yourself safe.

If getting the job done quickly is higher on your list of priorities than cost, just get the professionals in.

How much does floor refurbishment cost in 2021?

Good question. If you’ve decided you’re not quite handy enough to do the job yourself, then you probably want to know how much hiring an expert will cost.

Replacing an entire room of floorboards could cost you around £700, with costs higher in London and the South of England. You’ll also have to take into account materials and labour costs. Overall, the job should take a professional team of 2 around 4 hours.

If the worst happens and you discover that your joists also need replacing, this cost can increase, up to around £400 per joist, and around three days of work.

Summary

Overall, you can carry out basic floor refurbishment yourself, but if you’re seeking a high-quality finish or aren’t entirely confident about your DIY skills, it’s probably worth hiring a professional.

If you are determined to do it yourself, planning ahead and getting the right equipment beforehand can save you a world of trouble. At Oxford Safety Components, we design and supply a range of low-level safety equipment for floor refurbishment and beyond.

For more information, just get in touch.