My boards have been carpeted for decades, can they really be saved?
Almost always yes. The original boards in London's Victorian and Edwardian homes are sturdy timber, and decades under carpet usually means they're protected from the worst wear. Gaps, splits, the odd water mark and the occasional missing board are part of the job. None of that is a problem. We'll tell you straight at the quote stage if anything is genuinely beyond saving.
How dusty is the work, really?
With our industrial extraction in place, fine dust around skirtings and edges only. No clouds, no settling on every surface. Clients carry on living and working from home through most projects. We never use the older non-extracting machines that some companies still rely on.
Does engineered or solid wood work better in a flat?
For first floor and above, almost always engineered. It handles the heating cycles in London flats far better than solid wood and you avoid issues with movement. The wear layer on a quality engineered board is still 4 to 6mm, plenty for future sanding. For ground floors with stable temperature we'll discuss both.
Do you supply the wood, or do I buy it separately?
Both options work. Most clients prefer us to supply. We get trade pricing from Natural Wood Floor Co, Flooring Sales and Staki and pass a fair portion of that on, which usually beats high-street retail. If you've already bought the wood, we'll happily fit it after a quick check on the product spec. You can also browse a selection of boards and aftercare in
our shop.
How long does floor sanding take?
A typical room takes 1 to 2 days of sanding, with finishing coats applied over the following day or two. Staining adds roughly half a day. Whole-house and larger projects get a clear timeline at the quote stage. If you want the full detail, read
how we sand a pine floor or
how we sand an oak floor.
What does floor sanding cost?
As a guide: hardwood sanding £40 to £50 per square metre, pine sanding £40 to £60 per square metre, depending on condition and finish. Every quote starts with a free site visit and you get a fixed written price within 48 hours. No surprises mid-job.
What's your lead time?
Generally 2 to 4 weeks ahead for restoration work, 3 to 6 weeks for installations where wood needs ordering. Smaller repair jobs can sometimes be fitted in within a week. Urgent jobs we'll do our best to slot in, just ask.
Are you Checkatrade approved?
Yes, and the reviews are public, both on Checkatrade and on Google. Same name on every job: Howard Naish Wooden Floors Ltd.