In a borough where square footage sells for a premium and every wall conceals decades of history, manhattan specialty demolition is less wrecking ball and more surgical science. CountBricks has refined the craft for townhouses, pre-war apartments, and luxury high-rises alike. Our AI-powered estimating engine listens to your scope in real time, cross-checks local material prices, and outputs a line-item proposal before the dust mask even goes on.
• Party-wall sharing means vibration limits and strict neighbor notifications
• Landmark protections require selective removal without altering historic fabric
• Freight elevator schedules dictate micro-phasing of debris haul-out
• Tight curb space and DOT rules impact container placement and timing
Attempt a standard demolition workflow and you risk stop-work orders, damaged joists, and angry co-op boards. CountBricks approaches each obstacle with a calibrated plan and AI-verified costs.
1. Voice Scope Capture – Using the CountBricks mobile interface, our project engineer records the walk-through conversation, tagging every square foot of plaster, tile, or millwork for removal.
2. Instant AI Estimate – In seconds, CountBricks.ai converts spoken details into quantities, labor hours, and Manhattan-specific disposal fees. Visit CountBricks.com/services to see a sample report.
3. Permit & Board Coordination – We generate DOB documentation and co-op alteration packets, complete with noise, vibration, and elevator use schedules.
4. Selective Protection – Neighboring walls, millwork, and building MEP systems are scanned with our lidar tool, then wrapped or isolated to prevent collateral damage.
5. Low-Impact Removal – Our crews deploy HEPA-filtered negative air machines, electric chipping hammers, and dustless saws to meet NYC Local Law 55 indoor air standards.
6. Smart Debris Logistics – Debris is containerized in stackable bins tracked by QR code. The CountBricks portal shows real-time cartage weights and recycling receipts.
Traditional demolition bids hide costs behind allowances and contingencies. CountBricks flips the script with line-item transparency:
• Material disposal by ton, separated into concrete, drywall, and mixed waste
• Labor hours split between skilled demo techs and protection crews
• Specialty equipment surcharges such as negative-air scrubbers or lift rentals
The result? Clients know exactly why a bathroom gut on the Upper West Side differs from one in Chelsea—before the first tile is cracked.
• Elevator size and availability can add 8-12% in handling labor
• After-hours work premiums for buildings restricting daytime noise
• Premium disposal fees for lead-paint or asbestos-bearing materials
• Landmarked façade protections requiring plywood tunnels and scaffolding
CountBricks’ estimate engine benchmarks each variable against our 10-year Manhattan cost database, then proposes mitigation options to keep budgets in check.
OSHA compliance is industry standard. CountBricks goes further:
• NYS certified asbestos investigators on staff
• Daily silica dust readings uploaded to the CountBricks client dashboard
• Real-time crew check-ins through geofenced mobile apps
These measures protect homeowners, neighbors, and our labor force while preventing costly project shutdowns.
A 1890s brownstone on West 75th Street needed a full bathroom removal—including original lath, mortar bed, and cast-iron piping—within a 15-day board-approved window. CountBricks recorded a 12-minute voice scope, produced an estimate within 45 seconds, and shaved two days off schedule by pre-fabricating protection panels off-site. Net savings: $4,200 in labor and a full week of neighbor goodwill.
If your project involves any of the following, you need a specialty team:
• Shared structural walls or landmark protections
• Hazardous material abatement prior to renovation
• Condo or co-op alteration agreements with strict timelines
• Need for same-day digital estimates to secure financing
Contact our Manhattan desk at CountBricks.com/consultation to reserve a field engineer.
Demolition may be the first trade on site, but its precision sets the tone for every succeeding contractor. By pairing AI-driven numbers with boots-on-the-ground craftsmanship, CountBricks ensures your renovation begins clean, on budget, and ahead of schedule.
Specialty demolition is only the first chapter. Because CountBricks controls both data and field execution, our clients experience measurable gains throughout the project lifecycle.
• Our AI parses architectural PDFs to generate framing, MEP, and finish quantities immediately after the demo plan is finalized
• Designers receive accurate stud, drywall, and tile counts long before material orders are due, slashing waste and delivery delays
1. Post-demo lidar scans create a verified “as-demolished” model
2. CountBricks shares the model with framers and plumbers through the client portal
3. Subsequent trade estimates auto-populate using the same cost database, keeping numbers consistent from day one
• Live Gantt charts tie demolition milestones to renovation start dates
• Real-time spend tracking compares projected vs. actual costs at every phase
• Push notifications alert owners when contingencies fall below 5%, enabling proactive decisions
After a two-week specialty demo by CountBricks, framers were able to start 36 hours earlier than projected thanks to instant lidar documentation. The project finished three weeks ahead of schedule and under budget by $18,000—funds the homeowner redirected into upgraded millwork. Explore more success stories at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
• Engage CountBricks during schematic design so our AI can flag costly structural moves early
• Bundle demo and reconstruction for package pricing and a single point of accountability
• Use the client dashboard daily; data-driven decisions save thousands over the project span
The takeaway is clear: a precision demolition partner armed with intelligent technology doesn’t just tear things out—it sets every trade up for success. CountBricks is ready to streamline your entire Manhattan renovation, starting with specialty demolition and finishing with a flawless turnover.
