Flooring Specialists in Hattiesburg, MS

Hattiesburg Wood Floor Refinishing

Conveniently located in the central portion of southern Mississippi, the City of Hattiesburg, nicknamed "The Hub," is an important center of culture, economics, and population in the Deep South. Originally built up by the lumber and railroad industries, modern residents of this unique and diverse Southern city enjoy the many resources provided by its role as the seat of Forrest County. In addition, its two universities, William Carey University and the University of Southern Mississippi, and nearby Camp Shelby, the largest National Guard training center east of the Mississippi River, provide plenty of employment opportunities.

Enjoying a strong and growing real estate market, Hattiesburg homes are incredibly affordable, priced far below national average with a median listing price of $139,000 as compared to $186,200 nationally. With a robust real estate market that is split evenly between buyers and sellers, homeowners in Hattiesburg must pay attention to the details of their homes for both aesthetics and for the sake of overall value, which includes refinishing the wood floors when needed.

Cost for Wood Floor Refinishing

Local cost information for wood floor refinishing in Hattiesburg is not available. However, nationally, homeowners report a median cost for this project of $1,552 with most paying between $1,000 and $2,137.

Given the more affordable cost of living and real estate prices in Hattiesburg and all of Mississippi, it is reasonable to expect that homeowners in this region pay costs equal to or less than the national average. Across Mississippi, costs for wood floor refinishing average around $692 on the low end and $1,696 on the high end. These differences are due to a number of factors, including various repairs that need to be performed before the refinishing actually takes place, but on the whole the costs for this project in Hattiesburg and elsewhere in the state are far lower than the national averages.

Licensing and Qualifications Needed

The State of Mississippi requires all contractors to hold a license in order to work on projects with a value of more than $500, except in the case of "handyman" projects. Refinishing wood floors and flooring work in general does not fall under the handyman category.

To obtain this license, contractors must sit for a business and law exam as well as obtain worker's compensation and a general liability insurance policy worth $600,000 or more. Homeowners can check the status of a contractor's license in the State of Mississippi here.

Other Projects to Consider 

Refinishing wood floors is a common home improvement task that can make a home stand out on the market or really enhance its overall aesthetic. However, to get the most of your time and money, it is important to determine whether refinishing is, in fact, the right task for your needs. Other options may be more appropriate, including the following:

• Repair
  If the damage to spots of your floor is more than a few scratches, intense repair may be necessary. This process can include resetting, replacing, and further sanding the floorboards. Repairing your wood floor will add on to the final cost of a refinishing project, however, because it is more labor intensive. Also, in extreme cases, simple repair may not be possible, and you may need to completely replace sections of or the entire wood floor. This significantly increases final costs, but your contractor should provide a bid for this complete overhaul so you’re aware of the depth of the project before work actually begins.
  

• Reseal
  Instead of sanding down the floor, reapplying stain, and sealing the boards, you may only need to do the last step if your floor is in relatively good condition. Resealing your wood floor with an additional coat of polyurethane can refresh its look and hide scratches and dents without the high cost of refinishing.

Prominent Neighborhoods in Hattiesburg, MS

As of 2013, the population of Hattiesburg, MS was just over 47,500, making it a notable population center for southern Mississippi even if it is on the small side compared to the rest of the country. Within the 49.7 square miles that constitute the Hattiesburg city limits, there are quite a few developments, golf course communities, and open spaces with lots of land that residents call home. Subdivisions such as The Village, Innswood, and Vintage Springs offer residents a neighborhood feel along with newer and more expansive homes.

Another notable part of Hattiesburg is its famed Historic District, located between Gordon's Street and Hall Avenue and sandwiched between the Kansas City Southern and Illinois Central/Norfolk Southern rail lines. With many homes built over 125 years ago, the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and includes Victorian-era homes in several styles including Tudor, Mission, Colonial, Queen Anne, and Arte Moderne. Its tree-lined streets include towering oaks that are carefully cultivated and maintained to preserve the bucolic charm and character of the area.