While I know the MMM answer to the above question, I'm looking for some reassurance that I'm making the right decision.
Essentially, DW and I have just moved to a new house and we're looking to make a few improvements. The front room, which currently has a green carpet from the 1980s, needs a bit of love. The floorboards look like they're in good condition so rather than replace the carpet, we'd like to sand the floors. A few years ago I wouldn't have considered doing this myself but like all those who have had a face punch or two from MMM's musings, I'm keen to give it a go...or I was.
A few friends who have sanded floors in the past say it was the one thing they regret not getting someone in to do. They said it was a job in itself to get the floor prepped smooth and when they did finish the sanding and varnishing it didn't come up as well as they would have liked. We've since had a quote for £270 (around $430) for two days work. I'd already booked a sander kit for this coming weekend (my wife and young son are staying at friends) and after the costs for sandpaper, varnish etc I think it will come to around £110 ($175).
Pros of doing it myself:
Save money
Learn a new skill
Feel great that I've done something myself and would give me more confidence for future work
Cons
An expert would do it much more quickly and probably do it better
Save me time for other DIY work I can do (I've got a bedroom to decorate)
Danger of doing a half-baked job and having to get a pro in anyway!
I appreciate the cons are all complainypants points (over here in Scotland I'd be called a whinger!) so any suggestions or encouragements are much appreciated. Even writing this down has made me feel more positive about the work.
Thanks in advance
UPDATE...Saturday at 11.26 pm
Today was sanding day. It was great/bad at the same time. I'll explain...
Starting at 1.30 pm (I was with my boy this morning) I: emptied the room; lifted the carpet; removed nails and staples; and generally prepared the room for sanding. It's been slow progress. The floor was in good nick but had black paint was proved - correction, proving - to be a nightmare to remove. The sanders were both tough to use (the big one was slow going while the hand sander was much better but became a thing of torture when it came to change the paper - my knuckles are bare and I had to take a break a few times just to calm down as I was so frustrated.
I eventually stopped at 11.10 as I have adjoining neighbours who I don't want to annoy (I knocked on their door at 9 to apologise for the noise - she was very sweet about it). My wife and son are back tomorrow morning before we head to church so I doubt I'll get anymore done before I have to return the sander on Monday morning.
While I'll think about it again in the cold light of day, I may have to call in an expert. I just don't know when I'd get a chance to finish it and with the house in a mess I can't wait too long. I know that sounds pathetic and also a waste of money but I'm still glad I did it. I've learnt a new skill, the knowledge of how much time it really takes and also not to wimp out at the first hurdle (although I have fallen at the second!). Much to ponder but thanks again for all your advice.