Hardwood Floor Damage Security Deposit Deduction Guide
Estimate hardwood floor repair, refinishing, or replacement deductions without charging ordinary scuffs as new floors.
Short answer
Hardwood floor deductions should match the affected scope: small repair, room refinish, or replacement. Ordinary scuffs are different from gouges, water damage, or deep scratches.
Worksheet preset: hardwood floor article
Source: InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. Use repair/refinish cost when feasible; full replacement should be documented separately.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
Floor charge comparison
| Claimed work | Worksheet input | Watch-out | |---|---|---| | Screen and coat | Actual service cost | May be ordinary maintenance | | One-room refinish | Room-level invoice | Do not use whole-home cost | | Full replacement | Affected area cost and age | Requires strong evidence |
Practical modeling
Start with repair/refinish cost if the floor can be restored. Use replacement only when the invoice and photos support replacement. Reduce damage share for preexisting wear.
Worksheet preset: hardwood floor article
Source: InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. Use repair/refinish cost when feasible; full replacement should be documented separately.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
FAQ
Are scratches normal wear?
Light surface scratches often raise normal-wear issues. Deep gouges, burns, or water damage are different facts.
Why use useful life?
Useful life keeps already-used floor value from being charged as if the floor were new.