WFB asked its followers on Facebook and Instagram what they had to learn the hard way. Here’s what they said:
Troy Stanfield
Not using the correct type of sealer over a species prone to tannin bleed and then buffing in a white water-based stain …unless the desired look was urine-coloured patches throughout the floor.
Brendan Daly
Charging cheaper prices in order to get more work will destroy your business in the long run. It also causes major harm to your family and all the families of the other floor contractors in your area. Do not be fooled into participating in the race to the bottom. All the other trades are making insane money these days, we should be, too.
Michael R Leonzal
Business is business; money comes first, then maybe the barbecues and pleasantries.
Daniel Springer
Don't run over the big machine cord.
Rob Griswold
Don't change plug ends on a drum cord that is still plugged into the wall. I somehow connected the poles together with my hand wrapped around the plug end; it made my hand curl and grip harder as I was electrocuted. Somehow I was able to overcome the power and let go. My heart was not feeling good for the rest of the day. Don't do that. It was my first year on the job.
Supreme Surfaces Oklahoma
Not all woods are created equal.
Patrick J. Russell
Pretty much learned everything the hard way, LOL. Taxes; still got a lesson coming, unfortunately.
Aaron Hall
Not to kick a whole gallon of stain down the steps.
Alan Lovstad
Be careful when you’re opening the door when there’s a cat there when you’re doing the final coat of finish.
William Burnam
That sanding dust that comes from re-sanding a recently botched stain job is combustible and should not be left inside the house at the end of the day. 😬
Eugene Stone
Made the mistake of staining a 12-foot stair tread on the front porch. A little wind and I was paying for the hood on a brand new Corvette in the next-door driveway. 
Will Dennis
Charging what it's really worth to do what we do.
Unfit Wonder
Proper disposal of stain rags.
Devan Hale
Never hire someone you can’t easily fire.
Alex Hamilton
Love this thread. I'm really surprised no one has said, “How to identify the difference between white and red oak.” I feel as if most of us had to learn almost everything the hard way unless we were lucky enough to have a good mentor.
Donnansteve Ray
In the right environment, stain rags WILL spontaneously ignite!
Nathaniel Brown
Bamboo is grass, not wood.
Damian Pullar
A lesson I learned twice? True black and country white need 24 hours minimum to dry. Overnight will not be enough. There's no shortcut with those two. You will resand if you don't wait.
Kenny Williams
Don't use oil-based finish on acacia.
Jonathan Gramajo
The difference between business and family and friends!
Pete Helton Jr
All those warnings on oil-based stain and poly are true. Oh, yeah, and you really need to discharge a Hummel capacitor.
Leonard A. Hall
A tie: dealing with irrational clients and unethical employees.
Jim Hyde
That over-burnishing a floor before white stain is a nightmare. I didn't know about water-popping back then.
Wayne Lee
The difference between knowledge and wisdom. "A tomato is fruit but does not belong in a fruit salad." Wish I was the one that said that, but it sure makes sense.
Shawn Myers
Oooh... oooh... oooh... don't get too comfortable with the table saw. I learned that the hard way 22 years later. 🤷
Clint Fudge
Sanding and finishing.
Johnny Rodriguez
Never date anyone that has brothers that are floorsmiths!
Antonio S.S
Don’t believe the “Give me a deal. I’ll have more jobs for you.”
iSandNewYork LLC Official Page
The bottom line is the dollar sign.
ftwoodfloors
Everything because you raised yourself.
