Floor Staining costing and advice

8 years ago

Hi,

I have two quotes on my floor staining. Specs:

2,600 sq.ft. of red oak. 19 Balusters. 36 steps. 65 linear feet of banister 150 spindles. (ya it is a big staircase)

$3.25 PSF sanding, staining and 3 coats of varnish (I was told a Finitech product equivalent to the Bona Mega not sure which one that is and I will verify)

$100 per baluster

$50 per step

No spindles painted (I am painting them white)

Bannister stained on site at $15 per foot

$4.00 PSF sanding, staining, one coat Masterline, 2 coats Bona Traffic HD

banister, baluster, spindles removed. Staining in a shop and returned. Spindles properly "lacquered" for a better finish. $5,750

$85 per step

When I compare the two there are glaring differences:

-Products used on the stain. Is it worth the $2,000 dollars difference?

-Removal of the banister and spindles. Will I get the same finish if I do it on site vs in a shop. (Sprayed vs painted stained on site.)

-When I add the components up for the stair I get $3,300 (must be adjusted for spindles which I assume my painter can do for about $1,250) vs. $5,750. A net difference of $1,200 roughly.

In summary:

More expensive guy wants

$2,000 more for the floor

$1,200 more for the stair staining

$1,200 more for the spindles/ banister/balusters (but all done in shop so extra labor makes sense)

Is the product difference worth the cost difference for staining? As far as I can figure they are similar finish and the difference in cost is reduced because second guy is using a masterline coat which is super cheap.

Is removal of the spindles worth the cost difference?

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

SJ McCarthy
8 years ago
I've seen the results of Finitech on cork flooring and it is similar to Bona's lowest grade product = Mega. It is a "nice" product but nothing special. It does not compare (sorry Finitech...love your stuff) with Bona Traffic HD.

My concern is the Masterline underneath the Bona Traffic HD. Masterline appears to be an OIL BASED polyurethane (the stuff that turns yellow/gold) with a VOC content that is high enough to launch a rocket into space! It is $20/gallon online = ouch...Minwax is more expensive (and I have a HATE-ON for Minwax).

Bona Traffic HD is a true clear coat (water based finish that does NOT change colour) that has VOC content that is somewhere around your shoe laces. I would wager these two items do NOT mix. And I mean really DO NOT MIX. As in "Danger Will Robinson! Danger!" Oil and water don't mix. Especially on wood.

I'm not too excited about either option. As much as I like Finitech (great Canadian company with some beautiful low VOC polyurethane products) the durability is no where near the Bona Traffic HD. If you are going to do this, work with the professionals who work with the best stuff.

The second person with the Masterline/Bona mix is asking for trouble. And if it happens on your floor, you are going to be SUPER upset he failed chemistry.

As for the pricing, I'm not too upset with it. The Bona is much more expensive than FiniTech. By about 50% more expensive. That alone would account for your price difference.
Jon M thanked SJ McCarthy
Jon M
Original Author
8 years ago
Great feedback! I have since found a third guy who quoted Traffic HD throughout at a price in between the two. He also said don't remove the banister you are asking for trouble. He seems to be the best of both worlds. His price per stair & baluster was the lowest of the three so a net savings throughout with the best product according to most. I think I found a winner.
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PRO
G & S Floor Service
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If, they use the Bona stain, they can apply two coats of Traffic HD and be done, with no worries.

The cost seems low for a stain and Traffic HD system. You may want to check on Bona's site for a certified craftsman. That will lower your risk of issues.

I agree with SJ, the oil under Traffic HD, equals disaster. Are they planning to wait for it to cure for 30 days before applying the HD?
Jon M
Original Author
8 years ago
Missed the question. No they are not waiting the 30 days before applying but this is moot since I will not use either of the two initial quotes. helpful comments and reading up led me to a third guy who is reputable. I now have to figure out the best way to paint spindles white since there 150 of them.