Flooring Specialists in Ithaca, NY

Ithaca Wood Floor Refinishing

From waterfalls to wineries, Ithaca, New York, has it all. This eclectic city boasts quaint shops and boutiques, delicious and innovative restaurants, and the stunning scenery of the Finger Lakes region. With its hip, thriving art scene and several stellar colleges and universities located around town, Ithaca appeals to everyone from hipsters and students to families and retirees.

A combination of historic homes and new construction give the city's 30,000+ residents a variety of choices when it comes to finding a spot to call home. In most cases, homeowners opt to refinish their wood floors instead of replacing them. Not only does it cost considerably less, but refinishing the existing floors lets homeowners build upon their home’s charm, keeping the house historically accurate and more appealing to potential buyers.

Local Costs for Refinishing Wood Floors

Many different factors contribute to the cost of refinishing wood floors, including the square footage, the type of wood, and whatever repairs the floor needs. For example, a floor that needs all the joists replaced costs more to fix than a floor that needs one or two boards replaced. Similarly, homeowners with exotic hardwood floors can expect to pay more to have them refinished because they require a more delicate touch. The following table provides a quick look at how costs in Joshua compare to the national average:

As the above table demonstrates, Ithaca’s average costs run slightly higher than the national average. Homeowners who hire a flooring contractor pay more in labor, but the peace of mind that comes with letting a professional handle the work can be worth it in the end. Although this job is something a dedicated homeowner can attempt, before tackling this as a DIY project, he or she should carefully consider the potential problems before getting started.

DIY Floor Refinishing

Although this seems like a simple project, inexperienced homeowners run the risk of making mistakes that could ruin the look of the finished floor. Examples include leaving traces of the old finish behind, applying the stain unevenly, or creating uneven sanding marks in the wood. To achieve the best result, this project requires a skilled hand.

Homeowners choosing to tackle this as a DIY project can buy and rent most of the necessary tools, equipment, and supplies at local home improvement stores. In addition to topcoat and stain, this project requires a drum sander, edger, safety gear, and applicators such as paint rollers and brushes.

Necessary Licensing and Qualifications

Neither the city nor the state requires flooring contractors or general contractors to have a license to perform floor refinishing tasks. However, it’s important that homeowners take care to interview several insured contractors and check references to get feedback from previous clients. Experts also suggest getting at least two to three estimates to get the most competitive prices for this project. Insurance protects homeowners and their investment should the flooring professional cause damage or an accident during the course of the project.

When first sourcing a bid for the job, homeowners should also be sure to ask their prospective contractors how long the project will take and what materials will be used. This is a project that can leave areas of the home inaccessible for several weeks at a time if an oil-based coating is used because it can take several days for the finish to dry. They should also inquire about the task of moving furniture; many contractors will perform this for an extra fee, but homeowners can save on those added labor costs by removing everything themselves to expose the flooring before the project starts.

Other Projects to Consider

Ithaca’s homeowners have a variety of complementary projects to choose from while refinishing their wood floors. Some examples include upgrading the molding and baseboards to accent the floors, painting the walls to give entire rooms a fresh look, and upgrading the light fixtures to enhance the ambience of the space. These tasks are all easier to complete during the refinishing process because furniture and other decor has been removed from the space, granting complete access to baseboards and limiting the need to place drop cloths around the area.

Popular Ithaca Neighborhoods

Residents of this “gorges” city have many housing options, including secluded farmhouse-style single-family homes and modern apartments located near downtown’s pedestrian mall. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in the “City of Villages” include the following:

Downtown

The downtown neighborhood functions as Ithaca's urban core with a combination of converted commercial buildings and modern apartment mid-rises in addition to large Italianate and Victorian homes on some of downtown's residential streets. Residents of the downtown neighborhood enjoy walking to all of the shops, restaurants, galleries, and other amenities that share the space here.

Fall Creek

Located just north of downtown, the Fall Creek neighborhood provides residents with a friendly, village-like atmosphere. Many of its large single-family homes were converted into apartments, appealing to families and college graduates alike. The architecture of the homes includes grand Victorians and Queen Anne homes along with simple cottages, many of which boast well-maintained wood floors.

Collegetown

Large Victorian and Arts and Crafts-era homes that have been converted into apartments mingle with single-family cottages and foursquares in the Collegetown neighborhood. Residents enjoy access to the urban commercial district located on College and Stewart Avenues.

South Hill

Lush tree cover and a steep hill set the South Hill neighborhood apart from many of Ithaca's other neighborhoods. Home styles include a mix of apartments and single-family homes, with most of the larger homes and spacious lots located toward the top of the hill.