While categorized as beginner, this project requires careful attention, physical effort, and proficiency with powerful rental tools like drum sanders. The 7-day estimate accounts for multiple sanding stages, thorough dust removal, and crucial drying/curing times between finish coats, which cannot be rushed. Plan for a full week where the area is largely unusable.

You'll definitely need to rent a drum sander, an edge sander, and ideally a buffer or orbital sander for intermediate and fine grit steps. Safety concerns include significant dust inhalation (wear a respirator!), extreme noise (hearing protection is crucial), and potential for injury from powerful, fast-moving sanding machines. Always follow manufacturer instructions and keep the machines moving to prevent gouging.

The most common mistake is stopping the drum sander while it's running and in contact with the floor, which creates deep divots or 'chatter marks.' To avoid this, always keep the drum sander moving forward or backward at a steady, controlled pace. Overlap passes by about half the drum's width and never skip grit progressions.

To achieve an even stain, thoroughly clean all sanding dust before application. If working with softwoods or woods prone to blotching, apply a wood conditioner first to help the stain absorb uniformly. Always test your chosen stain color and application method on an inconspicuous area or scrap wood from your floor.