Move the rug and compare its protected patch with the walking route to the kitchen. Is the surface simply less shiny, or can you see raw wood, crushed fibres and scratches through the colour? Clean gently with the approved cleaner first. A layer of residue can look remarkably like a worn-out floor.

Ask what the contractor means by a recoat

NWFA: refinishing wood floors distinguishes a maintenance coat from sanding back to wood. Have the quote name the preparation, proposed finish and test for compatibility. Terms such as buff, screen, refresh and restore are used loosely. You want to know which existing scratches will remain visible, not discover that after the furniture comes back.

Match the job to the result you want

  • Renew sheen

    Sound existing finish may be suitable for a tested maintenance coat.

  • Remove deep damage

    Assess full sanding or board replacement; confirm usable wood remains.

  • Change wood colour

    Usually requires a more extensive refinishing plan and a sample.

  • Stop movement

    Neither finish treatment repairs a moisture or attachment problem.

Tell the contractor everything put on the floor

Bring photographs of cleaning products, polishes, waxes and previous touch-up coatings. An ordinary cleaning routine is worth mentioning; so is the shine-restorer used once before a party. A new coat needs a suitable surface to bond to. Let the refinisher choose an inconspicuous adhesion test and explain its limitations rather than covering the whole room on a guess.

Choose the stopping line before the furniture moves

An open-plan floor may run through several rooms without a natural break. Ask where colour and sheen changes will be visible, how thresholds will be handled and whether stair treads are included. Request the finish manufacturer's instructions for walking, furniture, rugs and cleaning after work; these stages need not share the same waiting time.

Repair the floor before making it shiny

Loose boards, active water damage and sharp splinters need their own scope. A new coating does not pull joints together or give an exhausted wear layer more thickness. If you have engineered flooring, establish sandability before selecting stain colours. If only one board is damaged, compare a local replacement with treating the entire room.

After the work, keep the new finish's care instructions with the invoice. NWFA: wood floor maintenance recommends a cleaner suited to the finish. That is a better starting point than buying whichever bottle promises the most gloss.