Wood floor refinisher
Dan Auditore is a wood floor refinisher and owner of Renaissance Hardwood Floors, based in Manchester.
Explain your job and what it entails.
My job is to take a customer’s hardwood floor and make it look brand new again or give them an entirely different-looking wood floor, depending on what they want. I go in with my machinery, sand the floors down to bare wood, then sand twice more to make it smooth. After that I hand scrape the areas the machines can’t reach. I vacuum the floor and apply a coat of sealer or stain depending on the job, and then apply two or three coats of finish on top, again, depending on what the customer needs.
How long have you had this job?
I’ve been professionally refinishing hardwood floors since January 2007 in Boston and surrounding areas as a member of the Floor Coverers Union Local 2168, but started Renaissance Hardwood Floors back in June of this year.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
Destiny. My great-grandfather, grandfather, father, stepfather, three of my uncles and a cousin all have had or currently have a wood flooring company. Ever since childhood I was always helping out on the jobs and started working full-time in the summers doing it at age 13.
What kind of education or training did you need?
Onsite training. You learn this trade by getting your hands on the machinery, getting a feel for it all, learning what to look for and how to fix errors and by getting a sore back and sore knees. You could read it in a book, but to really know what you’re doing, it takes hands-on, lots of time doing it and lots of body ache.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Typically I wear a short-sleeve shirt, and then shorts or jeans, depending on the time of year, with some light, comfortable sneakers since I’m on my feet all day and doing lots of walking. I definitely make sure to have my earplugs and a dust mask since it’s usually very noisy and gets dusty.
How has your job changed over the course of the pandemic?
It seemed like when Covid was still fresh, work began to slow down a little bit. I think some people were uncomfortable with others coming into their homes unless it was completely necessary, and on occasion a homeowner would ask that I wear a mask. I was usually wearing one all day anyway due to the dust. As Covid became a part of everyday life, work seemed to pick back up.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
To work smarter, not harder, and to actively practice self-care on my body.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
I wish people knew how involved refinishing a floor is, how physically taxing it is, how expensive materials and equipment are and that whether they want a small room refinished or a whole house, the same amount of equipment is required.
What was the first job you ever had?
The first job I ever had was sanding and refinishing with my family. My first real job on the books was as a kennel assistant at Handle With Care Veterinary Hospital in Derry.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
To fix whatever errors I see in the floor before the finish starts going down. If you don’t, it becomes much more difficult and time-consuming to fix after. That, and to just do what I know how to do and don’t overthink it.
Five favorites
Favorite book: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Favorite movie: Dumb and Dumber
Favorite music: I’m big on electronic, but also enjoy classical and country.
Favorite food: Venezuelan, Italian and Chinese
Favorite thing about NH: Scenery. I’ve always loved forests, mountains and countryside.
Featured photo: Dan Auditore. Courtesy photo.
