Replacing tired carpet with timeless hardwood is one of the most rewarding upgrades a homeowner can make. The question every client asks first is the same one you just typed into a search bar: how much to remove carpet and install hardwood? Because CountBricks provides AI-driven estimates tied to live material pricing, we have deep insight into cost drivers and proven ways to keep budgets predictable. In this article we unpack the true price tags, show you where money is really spent, and explain how CountBricks streamlines every step of the residential construction journey from takeoff to invoice.
1. Carpet Removal
Old carpet, tack strips, and pad must be detached, rolled, and hauled away. Local dump fees, staircase complexity, and furniture moving all influence the final number. In most single-family homes CountBricks sees:
• Basic removal: $0.55 – $0.85 per square foot
• Heavy furniture or glued pad: Add $0.15 – $0.25 per square foot
2. Subfloor Preparation
Hardwood only looks flawless when the deck beneath it is flat and dry. We factor:
• Minor leveling or squeak repair: $0.40 – $0.75 per square foot
• Full self-leveling compound: $1.50 – $2.50 per square foot
• Moisture barrier installation: $0.20 – $0.35 per square foot
3. Hardwood Material & Installation
Choices range from budget-friendly domestic oak to wide-plank European engineered boards. CountBricks’ live pricing API continually updates these averages:
• Material (2¼″ solid oak strip): $3.25 – $5.00 per square foot
• Material (premium 7″ engineered): $6.50 – $11.00 per square foot
• Professional installation labor: $3.75 – $6.25 per square foot
Add the pillars together and most homeowners investing in mid-range prefinished hardwood can anticipate $8.50 – $12.50 per installed square foot, all-in. A 600 sq ft living and dining room makeover therefore lands around $5,100 – $7,500. Using CountBricks.com/services, builders and remodelers lock these numbers in with real-time SKUs, not guesswork.
Internet averages are great headlines, but they can be off by 30 % when applied to a unique floor plan. CountBricks AI accounts for:
• Room layout complexity and waste percentage
• Trim style—flush mount vents, custom baseboards, or shoemold
• Stairs, landings, and handrail code requirements
• Delivery distance and material availability in your ZIP code
Because our database pulls distributor pricing hourly, you get a laser-focused number instead of a broad national range.
1. Voice-launch a new project on your phone.
2. Upload scans of the existing carpeted rooms or PDFs of the floor plan.
3. Our computer vision counts boards, trim, adhesive, and fasteners automatically.
4. Receive an itemized estimate ready for client signature and a materials purchase order simultaneously.
5. Convert the approved quote into a branded invoice with one click.
Contractors report shaving two to three hours off every bid cycle, freeing more time to manage crews on site.
• Furniture storage pods or temp relocation
• HVAC adjustments to accommodate changed floor height
• Permit fees in municipalities that classify hardwood as a structural upgrade
• Post-installation cleanup, especially in occupied homes
CountBricks flags these line items automatically so no surprise up-charges strain homeowner relationships.
Homeowners occasionally ask if pulling carpet themselves will save money. While it can trim $300 – $600, self-removal risks:
• Damage to subfloor that voids flooring warranty
• Missed moisture issues leading to cupping
• Disposal fines if carpet isn’t recycled per local code
Most of our builders suggest letting the same insured crew handle demo and installation for a single accountable warranty.
Through CountBricks Pay, contractors can offer staged payment schedules or consumer financing that deposits funds directly into your business account. Rather than waiting for final completion checks, you gain predictable cashflow tied to project milestones.
CountBricks partners with regional recyclers to divert carpet from landfills when possible. Engineered hardwood with low-VOC finishes meets today’s green building codes and improves indoor air quality compared to aged carpet fibers trapping allergens.
So, how much to remove carpet and install hardwood? The most honest answer is the one generated by CountBricks AI after analyzing your exact floorplan. Whether you are a homeowner seeking clarity or a contractor looking to win more bids, leverage CountBricks.com/consultation for a free voice-guided demo. Fast numbers, fewer surprises, beautifully finished floors—that’s the CountBricks promise.
When the Rodriguez family decided to replace 15-year-old carpet in their Las Vegas great room, kitchen, and hallway, they contacted a contractor who runs all bids through CountBricks. Here’s how the numbers unfolded.
• Square footage detected: 1,187
• Carpet removal & haul-off: $947
• Subfloor leveling (moderate): $1,034
• Moisture barrier: $284
• 5″ engineered maple boards: $7,128
• Labor & trim: $5,209
• Contingency flag for refrigerator move: $120
Total estimate generated in 4 minutes: $14,722
The crew confirmed dimensions matched the CountBricks plan within 1.2 %. Because products were linked to live distributor inventory, materials arrived two days after contract signing—no delays, no price creep.
1. Final invoice stayed within 0.8 % of the original estimate thanks to locked-in SKU pricing.
2. Homeowner appreciated a single digital dashboard tracking milestones and payments.
3. Contractor captured before-and-after photos through the CountBricks mobile app and published them to the company’s CountBricks.com/portfolio page, generating two referral leads.
• Use the CountBricks moisture-testing checklist before approving any flooring material.
• Batch orders for stair nosing and reducers with the main flooring purchase to avoid mismatched dye lots.
• Schedule carpet removal and hardwood delivery one day apart to keep the subfloor exposed the minimum time possible.
• Leverage CountBricks Pay to offer homeowners interest-free terms that boost acceptance rates.
Whether your project is a single bedroom or a full-home overhaul, CountBricks equips you with data-backed pricing, streamlined logistics, and professional documentation that turns great craftsmanship into greater profit.
