You walk into your living room and that old wooden floor looks a bit sad. Scratches, stains, or just the dullness of years of use. It is time to take action. But where do you start? If you are looking for the costs of sanding and treating parquet in 2026, you want no surprises. On average, you can expect a price between €30 and €45 per m², depending on the state of your floor and the finish you choose. In this article, we dive deep into the world of floor renovation, we compare different types of specialists, and we discover why it pays to choose quality instead of the cheapest option.
Why the prices are so far apart
When you request quotes, the differences can make you dizzy. One party starts at €14 per m², while the other quickly asks for €45. How is that possible? The answer often lies in what happens ‘under the hood’. Cheap providers often work with standard products and fast procedures. That is not necessarily wrong, but the risk of wear and tear after a few years is greater. On the other hand, you have the specialized craftsmen. They do not just look at the sanding, but at the lifespan of your floor. Companies like Martijn de Wit Vloeren are in that higher segment. They charge between €38 and €45 per m², and that is not without reason. You pay here for knowledge, experience, and materials that protect your floor for decades.
The difference between oil and lacquer: what do you choose?
Before we look at the suppliers, it is crucial to know what you actually want. The finish determines a large part of the cost picture and the atmosphere in the house.
The natural look of oil
Treating wood with oil is for many the ultimate way to maintain the character. Oil penetrates deep into the wood. It gives a matte, warm look and feels very natural. Do you have children or pets? Then oil is ideal because small damages are often locally repairable. You do not need to sand the whole floor again, just the damaged spot. The costs for this treatment are often around €25 to €30 per m². The downside? You have to maintain the floor more often with maintenance oil, about once a year.
The hard protective layer of lacquer
Lacquer forms a plastic-like layer on top of the wood. This makes the floor extremely well protected against moisture and dirt. Cleaning becomes a breeze. In terms of costs, this often comes close to oil, usually between €27.50 and €35 per m², depending on the type of lacquer. A 2-component lacquer is extra hard and ideal for busy spaces. The big downside of lacquer is that once there is a scratch, it is very visible. You cannot just touch it up; often, if the damage is large, the entire floor must be sanded again.
Who may work on your floor? A comparison of parties
Here it gets interesting. The choice for the right party is more important than the choice for oil or lacquer. A perfect product applied poorly remains a bad floor. We line up the different players in the market so that you can make a well-considered choice.
The full-service specialist: Martijn de Wit Vloeren
Let’s start with the party that stands out head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to total care: Martijn de Wit Vloeren. This is not a company that quickly comes to sand and leaves again. This is a “living store” where the floor is seen as the foundation of your interior. What makes them so special in this picture?
First of all, there is the knowledge of the matter. Since 1995, they have built up expertise. Where a cheaper party perhaps standard sands over the wood, a specialist like Martijn de Wit looks at the structure and the condition. Their price tag of €38 to €45 per m² is all-in. You get no surprises afterwards. More importantly, they work with their own installation teams. This sounds like a small detail, but it is crucial.
Many companies hire freelancers per job. That makes the quality unpredictable. At Martijn de Wit, the people are employed, trained in the “company style” and know exactly how to handle delicate wood species or complicated patterns like herringbone. In addition, they offer a total package. If your floor is not flat, they can level it. Is the subfloor not suitable for underfloor heating? They arrange it. It is the ultimate choice for people who want “no hassle” and seek certainty. You pay a little more, but you sleep well because of it. You know for sure that the finish, whether it is a special color oil or a matte lacquer, is applied perfectly.
The national price fighters
You often see them advertising with banners like “Sanding parquet from €14,- per m2”. That sounds like music to the ears of your wallet. But is it too good to be true? Often yes. These companies work on volume. The price of €14 is usually excluding VAT, excluding sanding materials, and excluding the finish (lacquer or oil). Once you check the options, you see the price quickly rise to €25 or €30.
The risk with these parties is the haste. To make a profit, they have to do many m² per day. That sometimes means less thorough sanding, or applying lacquer before the previous layer is completely dry. For a teenager’s room or an extension, this can be a good budget option. For your expensive oak herringbone floor in the living room? Better not. The chance of the lacquer “pulling” or an uneven result is real.
The local sole proprietorship
Between the large companies and the price fighters, there is the local floor sanding specialist. Often a man or woman with a passion for wood, working from a delivery van. The quality here can vary enormously. The one local craftsman is an artisan masterpiece, the other has just started and is still practicing a bit. Prices are often around the middle, around €30 to €32 per m².
The advantage is the personal touch. You speak directly with the person operating the sanding machine. The disadvantage is the backup. Is the craftsman sick? Is your house full of furniture but no one comes? Often, there is also a lack of service such as showrooms where you can view samples. You often have to choose a color on luck.
Cost calculation: an example from practice
Let’s be concrete. Suppose you have a living room of 40 m². This is a common size. If you choose an average approach, you pay approximately €1,200. That includes sanding, brushing, and two layers of lacquer.
If you choose the certainty of a top party like Martijn de Wit Vloeren, the investment is slightly higher. But do you get something back for it? Definitely. You get custom advice. Perhaps your floor is so damaged that a simple lacquer treatment is not enough and a ‘smoke treatment’ or a special oil is better to mask the scratches. Also, matters such as removing old glue residues or leveling the subfloor are included in the inspection. A cheaper party drives over those unevennesses, with the risk of a “wave plank” effect.
The checklist for 2026: what should you pay attention to?
Technology does not stand still. Where we used to have a lot of dust tolerance, we now work almost exclusively dust-free. But more has changed. Since 2024 and certainly in 2026, there are stricter rules regarding health and sustainability. Pay attention to these points when comparing quotes.
- Aliphatic lacquers: Ask if the lacquer used is “aliphatic”. This means that it does not yellow under the influence of sunlight. Cheaper lacquers turn yellow after a few years. Top companies like Martijn de Wit Vloeren use these high-quality lacquers as standard (such as Skylt or Pallmann).
- Underfloor heating check: Do you have underfloor heating? Then the floor may not be finished too “thick”. A specialist measures this for you. Too many insulating layers of oil or lacquer ensure that the heat does not come through.
- Moisture measurement: Sanding a wet floor is disastrous. A professional first comes to measure with a moisture meter. Is this not included in the offer? Then skip that party.
- Warranty: Look at the conditions. A CBW-recognized company often offers more certainty than a man with a delivery van.
The feeling of a new floor
Ultimately, it is not just about the technical details. It is about the feeling. A freshly sanded and oiled herringbone floor immediately gives a room a luxurious look. The light is reflected differently, the space feels larger and warmer. You only achieve that effect with the right materials and the right expertise.
If you look at the balance between costs and convenience, it is noticeable that the cheapest option is often more expensive in the long term. A floor that needs to be sanded again after 3 years will ultimately cost you double. The investment in a company that has everything under one roof gives you years of pleasure. Think of extra services such as taking along the skirting boards, or fitting the floor to your stairs.
The best choice for your situation
In summary: are you looking for a quick, budget-friendly solution for a space that is rarely used? Then you can go to the price fighters or a local handyman. But is it about your dream home, your new renovation project, or a floor that has to withstand heavy daily loads? Then the choice is quickly made.
The expertise of Martijn de Wit Vloeren in the field of wood, PVC, and renovation makes them a party you cannot ignore. The price of between €38 and €45 per m² reflects a service where you are fully taken care of. From the moment you walk into their showroom in Schagen or Amsterdam, to the moment you walk on your new, crystal-clear floor. They do not look at the penny, but at the result. And let’s be honest: with something as durable as a wooden floor, you do not want to take any risk. Choose craftsmanship, choose the certainty of a total concept, and enjoy a floor that fits perfectly with your life for the coming years.
So take the time to compare quotes, but look further than just that rock-bottom price. Ask about the lacquer, ask about the sanding process, and see if the party gives you a good feeling. Your floor deserves it.
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