How much does timber floor sanding cost in Brisbane?

By the WTD team · Updated July 2026

Sanding and polishing brings tired Brisbane floorboards back to life for $30-$70/m², averaging around $45/m² — far less than the $90-$280/m² of a fresh timber install. For the city's huge stock of Queenslanders and post-war homes sitting on original hardwood, it's the single best-value flooring job going.

Quick answer: what timber floor sanding costs in Brisbane

Sanding and polishing an existing timber floor in Brisbane runs $30-$70/m², with most jobs landing near $45/m². That figure covers the labour of machine-sanding back to bare timber, edging, and applying a fresh coating. It assumes sound boards — the price climbs once repairs, gap-filling or extra coats enter the picture.

A standard 60m² living-and-hall area therefore sits around $1,800-$2,700 in labour for a straightforward sand and two coats. Compare that to $5,400-$16,800 to pull it up and lay new engineered or solid timber, and the appeal is obvious.

What drives the price in Brisbane

Four things move a Brisbane sanding quote up or down more than anything else.

Board condition and species

Original Queenslander floors are usually hardwood — tallowwood, blackbutt, brush box — which sands beautifully but is dense and slower to work. Cupped, springy or water-stained boards need extra passes or spot repairs, and badly gapped floors may want filling before coating, both of which lift the rate toward the $70/m² end.

Coating choice

The finish is a real cost lever. A solvent-based polyurethane is the cheapest and hardest-wearing but yellows and smells strongly during curing. Water-based coatings cost more per coat but dry fast and stay clear — handy in Brisbane's humidity and worth it in a home you're living in. Hard-wax oils sit at the top for a natural matte look and easy spot-repair, and push the job past typical pricing.

Number of coats and access

Two coats is standard; a third for high-traffic hallways adds material and a return visit. Second-storey Queenslanders, tight stair runs and rooms full of built-ins all slow the crew and nudge the rate up.

Repairs and old coverings

If carpet or vinyl is coming up first, add the $8-$25/m² removal line. Replacing damaged boards, patching around removed walls, or re-nailing loose sections is quoted on top and is the most common source of a quote coming in higher than the headline rate.

A real Brisbane example

Here's how a typical inner-suburb job breaks down — an 80m² hardwood floor across the main living zone of a Paddington Queenslander, existing boards sound, two coats of water-based poly.

Roughly $62/m² all-in once the extras are counted — still a fraction of replacement, and it keeps the character timber that makes these homes worth buying.

The verdict, and what to watch for

If your Brisbane home has original timber under the carpet, sanding is almost always the smarter spend. Watch for three things when quoting: get the coating type named in writing (not just "polish"), confirm how many coats are included, and ask whether board repairs are in the price or extra. A quote that's vague on all three is how a $45/m² job becomes a $70/m² surprise.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to sand or replace Brisbane floorboards?

Sanding is far cheaper — $30-$70/m² versus $90-$280/m² to lay new timber. If the existing boards are structurally sound, sanding and recoating restores them at a fraction of replacement cost and keeps the original character timber.

How long does floor sanding take in a Brisbane home?

A typical 60-80m² floor takes 2-3 days: one day to sand and edge, then coating with drying time between coats. Water-based coatings cure faster than solvent-based, which matters in Brisbane's humidity if you need to move back in quickly.

Can old Queenslander hardwood floors always be sanded?

Usually, but not always. Boards can only be sanded so many times before the tongue-and-groove is exposed. Very thin, heavily cupped, or termite-damaged boards may need individual replacement first, which is quoted on top of the per-m² sanding rate.

What coating is best for Brisbane's climate?

Water-based polyurethane is a strong all-round choice — it dries fast, stays clear rather than yellowing, and handles humidity well. Solvent-based poly is cheaper and slightly harder-wearing but smells strongly and ambers over time. Hard-wax oil gives a natural matte finish and easy repairs at a higher price.

Do I need to remove furniture and skirting before sanding?

Furniture yes — the room needs to be clear. Skirting usually stays; the sander edges up to it. Many homeowners refresh skirting at the same time ($10-$30/m) since the floor is already exposed and it gives a cleaner finished result.