Why Refinishing Your Hidden Hardwood Floors Saves You Thousands Over New Installation
If you've got carpet in your Philly-area home and you're thinking about upgrading to hardwood, I've got news that might save you some serious money: there's probably perfectly good hardwood hiding underneath that carpet right now.
After 20+ years of doing this work all over the Philadelphia metro area, I can tell you that most homes built before 1970—and a lot built even later—have original hardwood floors under that carpet. And nine times out of ten, those floors can be brought back to life for a fraction of what new installation would cost.
Let me break down the real numbers so you can make a smart decision.
The Cost Difference: Refinishing vs. New Installation
Refinishing existing hardwood floors:
Average cost: $3–$5 per square foot
For a typical 1,000 sq ft home: $3,000–$5,000
Timeline: 3–5 days
Installing new hardwood floors:
Average cost: $8–$15 per square foot (material + labor)
For a typical 1,000 sq ft home: $8,000–$15,000
Timeline: 5–7 days (plus additional time if removing old flooring)
Bottom line: You're looking at saving $5,000 to $10,000 by refinishing what's already there.
In today's economy, that's not pocket change. That's a kitchen remodel, a vacation, or a serious chunk toward your mortgage.
What's Actually Under That Carpet?
Here in the Philly area, older homes typically have one of these under the carpet:
Red oak (most common in homes from the 1920s–1970s)
White oak (less common, but beautiful)
Maple (usually in kitchens or higher-end homes)
Heart pine (older rowhomes and Victorian homes)
Mixed hardwoods (sometimes you'll find different species in different rooms)
These are solid hardwood planks—usually 3/4 inch thick—that were built to last generations. They're not particleboard. They're not laminate. They're the real deal, and they've been sitting under your carpet for decades just waiting to be brought back.
"But Are They in Good Enough Shape?"
This is the question everyone asks, and it's a fair one. The truth is, you won't know for sure until you pull back a corner of the carpet and take a look. But here's what I've learned from hundreds of these jobs:
Good signs:
The home was built before 1970
You can feel solid planks (not subfloor) when you press down on the carpet
There are hardwood floors in other parts of the house
The carpet was glued down with tack strips (not fully glued)
Concerns (but usually fixable):
Stains from old pet accidents (we can sand these out in most cases)
Deep scratches or gouges (can often be repaired or blended)
A few damaged boards (we can replace individual planks)
Color variations (this adds character—people pay extra for this look now)
Deal-breakers (rare, but it happens):
Severe water damage with warping or cupping throughout
Subfloor issues (not actually hardwood under there)
Floors that have been refinished so many times there's not enough wood left to sand
Even with some damage, refinishing is still usually cheaper than new installation. We can replace damaged sections, patch problem areas, and still come in under the cost of tearing everything out and starting from scratch.
What the Refinishing Process Actually Looks Like
A lot of people are hesitant because they think refinishing is going to be a disaster zone. Let me walk you through what actually happens:
Day 1: Carpet removal and assessment
We pull up the carpet and padding
Inspect the floors for damage
Remove old tack strips and staples
Give you an honest assessment of what we're working with
Days 2–3: Sanding
We use dust-controlled sanding equipment (not the disaster you're imagining)
Sand down to bare wood in multiple passes
This removes scratches, stains, old finish, and decades of wear
Day 4: Staining (optional)
If you want to change the color, we apply stain
You can go darker, add gray tones, or keep it natural
This is your chance to customize the look
Day 5: Finishing
We apply polyurethane or oil-based finish
Usually 2–3 coats for durability
Let it cure for 24–48 hours
Total disruption: Less than a week, and you can typically stay in your home. We work in sections, contain the dust, and clean up at the end of each day.
Why This Matters Even More Right Now
Look, we’re not going to pretend we don't have a dog in this fight—we do hardwood floors for a living. But we’re also not going to sell you something you don't need.
With the cost of everything going up—lumber, materials, labor—installing new hardwood has gotten expensive. Really expensive. And if you've already got perfectly good hardwood sitting under your carpet, paying double or triple to rip it out and install new floors doesn't make financial sense.
We’ve had clients who were about to drop $12,000 on new floors, pulled back the carpet, and ended up spending $4,000 to refinish what was already there. Same beautiful result. $8,000 still in their pocket.
That's the kind of money that actually matters to people.
What About Resale Value?
If you're thinking about selling, here's what we can tell you from working with real estate agents all over the Philly metro area:
Hardwood floors—whether refinished or new—sell homes.
Buyers don't ask "are these original floors or new floors?" They see beautiful hardwood and they're happy. In fact, a lot of buyers actually prefer the character of older, refinished hardwood over the more uniform look of new installation.
What buyers DON'T want to see? Worn-out carpet. Dated carpet. Carpet that smells like the previous owner's pets.
Whether you refinish your existing floors or install new ones, you're adding value. But refinishing gets you 90% of the benefit at 40% of the cost.
How to Find Out What You've Got
If you're curious about what's under your carpet, here's what to do:
Pull back a corner in a closet or inconspicuous area
Take a photo and text it to us or bring it when you call for an estimate
We'll come take a look and give you an honest assessment—no charge
We’re not going to tell you to refinish if the floors are shot. And we’re not going to tell you to install new floors if what you've got is perfectly good. I'll just tell you what's actually there and what your options are.
The Bottom Line
If your home was built before 1970 and you've got carpet covering your floors, there's a good chance you're sitting on a goldmine. Refinishing those floors instead of installing new ones could save you anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
In today's economy, that's a decision worth investigating.
Want to see what you're working with? Give us a call and we'll come take a look. No pressure, no sales pitch—just an honest evaluation of what's under that carpet and what it would take to bring it back to life.
Because sometimes the best investment is the one you've already made.
Ready to find out what's hiding under your carpet? Get in touch for a no-obligation estimate!
