When your hardwood planks creak more than they charm, it might be time for full replacement. But how much does it truly cost to replace hardwood floors in a Manhattan brownstone or a Brooklyn condo? CountBricks delivers precise numbers in seconds, yet behind every line item sits a mix of materials, labor and site conditions that shape the final figure.
• Species and grade of new wood – red oak costs less than white oak or exotic walnut
• Board width and pattern – wider planks and herringbone cuts add material waste and labor hours
• Subfloor condition – leveling or replacing a damaged plywood base can add 15-20% to the budget
• Demolition complexity – pre-finished click-lock floors lift quickly, while nailed-in tongue-and-groove planks demand extra man-hours
• Finish choice – oil-based polyurethane costs less up front than low-VOC waterborne finishes but may require more future maintenance
• Building access – fifth-floor walk-ups drive labor premiums for hauling debris and new bundles
CountBricks data from hundreds of recent residential projects shows:
1. Basic red oak strip replacement: \$14–\$17 per square foot installed
2. Mid-range white oak or maple upgrade: \$18–\$22 per square foot installed
3. Premium wide-plank or herringbone layouts: \$24–\$32 per square foot installed
Those figures include tear-out, disposal fees, subfloor prep, new boards, sanding, staining and two finish coats. Co-op permitting, after-hours work or designer stains add extra line items that CountBricks captures automatically during the on-site voice conversation.
Traditional estimating relies on outdated price books and manual cell formulas. In a fast-moving market, last month’s material quote could already be 8% low. CountBricks eliminates the lag:
• Real-time supplier APIs stream current lumber pricing directly into your estimate
• AI cross-checks labor productivity against local union rates and recent CountBricks projects
• Voice recognition lets contractors walk the space and tag scope items while keeping hands free for moisture readings
• Furniture moving and storage while the floors cure
• Temporary dust control partitions for open-plan apartments
• Electrical outlet height adjustments when floor thickness changes
• Post-install cleaning and HVAC filter replacement
CountBricks highlights these add-ons in plain language so there are no surprise change orders later.
1. Schedule a 15-minute voice walk-through at CountBricks.com/consultation
2. Our estimator captures dimensions and photographs, then uploads them to the CountBricks cloud
3. AI blueprint takeoffs calculate square footage, waste factors and trim lengths
4. Live material feeds and labor rates populate the estimate in under 60 seconds
5. You receive a branded PDF quote plus a dynamic client portal to approve options and e-sign
• Book projects between January and March when installer demand dips
• Consider character-grade boards; natural knots trim material cost by 5-7%
• Opt for square-edge planks if a flush, modern look suits your décor—fewer bevels mean faster sanding
• Bundle trim replacement and floor work together; mobilization happens only once
• Use CountBricks progress invoicing to release payments tied to verified milestones, protecting cash flow
Speed: Same-day quotes instead of week-long wait times.
Transparency: Itemized tasks, materials and mark-ups displayed in a web dashboard.
Accuracy: AI learns from thousands of prior CountBricks hardwood jobs, continually refining production rates.
Support: Dedicated project managers track schedules, coordinate building approvals and update you through the CountBricks client portal.
Replacing hardwood floors is a major investment—and a defining design element for any NYC residence. Before you swing the first pry bar, let CountBricks quantify every board, nail and brush-stroke. Visit CountBricks.com/services to book your free AI-powered estimate today.
A family in a pre-war co-op wanted to swap their damaged 2¼-inch oak strips for 7-inch white oak, matte-finished to match a modern renovation.
• 1,200 square feet of demo and install across living room, hallway and three bedrooms
• Subfloor repairs around two historic steam risers
• Custom flush metal vents stained to blend with the floor
• Material waste factor auto-calculated at 12% based on room geometry
• Labor productivity adjusted for a fifth-floor walk-up, adding 22 crew-hours
• Real-time white oak pricing pulled at \$7.48 per square foot
1. Demolition & disposal: \$4,080
2. Subfloor leveling: \$1,960
3. New wide-plank material: \$10,070
4. Installation & finishing: \$7,440
5. Building permit & elevator padding: \$600
Total CountBricks contract: \$24,150 or \$20.13 per sqft
• Same-day estimate allowed the family to lock material pricing before a lumber surcharge hit the market
• Transparent line items helped the board approve the renovation in one meeting
• Dust-less sanding option, flagged automatically by CountBricks AI, kept neighboring units complaint-free
Whether you’re planning a subtle stain change or a full plank overhaul, CountBricks delivers the numbers—and the crew—that keep New York residential renovations moving. Explore more success stories at CountBricks.com/portfolio and schedule your free consultation today.
