In the majority of cases, yes. Most floor damage we encounter in London properties – scratches, dents, chips, scuffs and surface gouges – does not require board replacement. The damage is on or near the surface, which means it can be filled, levelled, colour matched and sealed without touching the surrounding boards. This applies to solid wood, engineered wood, laminate, parquet and vinyl floors. The repair is carried out on the damaged section only, leaving the rest of the floor completely undisturbed. Board replacement becomes necessary only when the structural integrity of the board has failed – for example, when a laminate board has swollen from water ingress and no longer lies flat, or when a solid wood board has cracked through its full depth. We assess this before any work begins and will tell you upfront if replacement is the more practical route.

The honest answer is: it depends on the extent of the damage, the condition of the surrounding floor and the floor type. On most jobs, the repair is not visible at normal standing height under natural or ambient light. The colour matching, grain recreation and sheen blending are done to reduce the damage to something that does not draw the eye. However, under a torch held at a very low angle to the surface – a raking light – there may be a slight texture difference on the repaired area, particularly on floors with a very high-gloss or heavily textured finish. We do not promise invisible results on every job because that claim is not realistic across every surface type and damage condition. What we do is give you an honest assessment before we start, including a realistic view of the likely outcome, so there are no surprises.

Most floor repairs are completed in a single visit. A straightforward repair – a single scratch, a small dent or a chip on one board – typically takes between one and two hours from start to finish. More complex repairs involving deeper gouges, multiple damage points across an area, or detailed grain recreation can take three to four hours. On jobs with extensive damage across several boards or where the colour matching requires more careful layering, we may need a full day. We give you a time estimate when we assess the job so you can plan accordingly. There is no need to vacate the property for a full day – most repairs cause minimal disruption and we work around the furniture and fittings already in the room.

The repaired area can be walked on carefully after approximately two to three hours in most cases, once the surface coat has dried to the touch. However, the finish continues to cure over the following 48 to 72 hours, and during this period it is more vulnerable than it will be once fully hardened. We advise keeping the area clear of furniture legs, heavy foot traffic and damp cloths for at least 48 hours. Avoid placing rugs or mats directly over the repair during this time as they can trap moisture and affect the cure. Full hardness is typically reached within 72 hours, after which the repair can be treated normally. The exact cure time depends on the materials used, the room temperature and ventilation.

We carry out repairs on solid wood floors, engineered wood floors, laminate floors, parquet floors and vinyl floors including LVT (luxury vinyl tile) and sheet vinyl. Each floor type has its own characteristics and requires a different approach. Solid wood and engineered wood floors respond well to grain recreation and lacquer blending. Laminate floors require careful colour matching since the surface pattern is printed rather than natural grain. Parquet involves smaller individual blocks and the repair needs to sit within the existing block layout. Vinyl and LVT repairs focus on surface cuts, tears and lifting edges, with colour and texture matching to blend the repair into the surrounding sheet or tile. If you are unsure of your floor type, send us a photograph and we can identify it from the image.

Yes, the majority of our work takes place in occupied or part-occupied properties across London. We work in flats, houses, rental properties between tenancies, managed blocks and commercial spaces. Our kit is compact and we work within the space as it is – there is no need to clear entire rooms or move all furniture. We protect the surrounding area before starting and keep the work zone contained. There is some smell from finishing materials, so we ask that windows are opened where possible during and after the repair. Most repairs generate minimal dust compared to sanding-heavy processes, though some fine sanding during levelling stages may produce a small amount. We are used to working around tenants, residents and building schedules and will discuss access arrangements in advance.

Colour matching is one of the most critical parts of the repair process and is done on site by eye, building up pigment in layers rather than applying a single pre-mixed coat. This approach allows us to adjust the tone as we go and account for the natural variation in the surrounding floor. Sheen matching is carried out alongside colour matching – a repair that is the right colour but a different gloss level will still stand out. We work across the full range from dead matt through satin to high gloss. Natural floors with uneven or aged colouring can be more challenging to match than newer, consistent surfaces, and we will be clear about expected results before starting. On very old or heavily worn floors, the surrounding surface condition can limit how closely the repair can blend.

A floor repair carried out with professional-grade materials will hold up well under normal domestic use. The materials we use are chosen to match the properties of the original finish as closely as possible in terms of hardness, flexibility and adhesion. On solid timber and engineered wood, a well-executed repair should remain stable for years. On laminate, the repair is durable but it is worth being aware that the surrounding laminate surface may continue to wear, meaning the repaired area could eventually look slightly different to the floor around it if the floor sees heavy use. We do not overpromise on longevity because it depends on the floor type, how the repair was caused and how the floor is maintained afterwards. We can advise on aftercare specific to your floor at the end of the job.

The main thing is to clear the area around the damage so we have direct access to it without having to move heavy furniture on the day. If there is a rug or mat over the damaged area, lift it before we arrive. If the floor has been recently cleaned or polished with a product, let us know what was used as some cleaning products can affect adhesion of repair materials. Good natural light in the room helps with colour matching, so opening blinds or curtains is useful. If the property is a rental and the damage is in a bathroom or kitchen with ongoing moisture, let us know in advance as this affects the materials we bring. Beyond that, there is very little preparation required on your side – we bring everything needed to carry out the repair.

The quickest way is to send us photographs of the damage. Clear photos taken in natural light give us enough to assess the type of floor, the nature and approximate depth of the damage, and the condition of the surrounding surface. From this we can advise on whether repair is the right approach and provide a cost estimate. We cover London, Essex and Kent. If the damage is straightforward and visible clearly in the photographs, we can usually respond with an estimate the same day. For larger or more complex jobs we may suggest a brief site visit to assess in person before quoting. There is no charge for the assessment and no obligation to proceed. Contact Magic Restore via magic-restore.co.uk (http://magic-restore.co.uk)or send photos directly by email.