Big Bro Hardwood, Bartlett's Expert Hardwood Flooring Company

Big Bro Hardwood is an employee-owned hardwood flooring company serving Bartlett and the surrounding suburbs. We install, sand, stain, refinish, and repair solid and engineered wood floors, starting around $3 a square foot. In 17+ years, we have completed 500+ floors across the area – refreshing original strip oak in 1980s colonials and split-levels, replacing dated ceramic and vinyl in kitchen and foyer remodels, and laying engineered hardwood over plywood subfloors in the newer planned subdivisions that make up much of Bartlett’s residential landscape.

Brazilian cherry hardwood floors refinished in Chicago area.
Hardwood floor with silvered gray stain in Chicago
Special walnut hardwood floor refinishing Chicago area
Brazilian cherry hardwood floor in a formal room, with the natural reddish-brown tone and dense surface typical of this exotic wood species
Dark hardwood refinished by Big Bro Hardwood
Final result of hardwood sanding and refinishing
New 2 1/4 Red Oak hardwood installed, stained with Jacobean color with Loba 2k Duo finish.
Room with big windows and new refinished hardwood flooring

The same small crew handles your project from the first measurement to the last coat – no rotating subcontractors, no surprises. Every estimate is itemized line by line, and we offer a free in-home visit within 24 hours. Our vacuum-assisted sanding captures 95% or more of dust, and we finish with Bona and Loba products that are kid- and pet-safe once cured.

Why Bartlett Homeowners Trust Big Bro Hardwood as Their Hardwood Flooring Contractor

Premium Results From $3/sq ft

Quality hardwood flooring in Bartlett does not have to mean an outsized bill. Our refinishing work starts at just $3, and installation pricing is straightforward with no hidden line items. Use our hardwood floor cost calculator to get a fast sense of your budget before we even set foot in your home. A free in-home estimate follows within 24 hours.

Complex Projects Planned, Not Improvised

Bartlett’s 1970s-2000s homes come with their own set of variables: OSB and plywood subfloors, finished basements over concrete, split-level transitions, and regional clay soils that demand a moisture check before anything gets nailed down. We map out every preparation step – subfloor flatness, acclimation, sequencing, species matching, and finish details – before the first board goes in. Nothing important gets figured out mid-project.

GREENGUARD-Certified, Pet-Safe Finishes

We use Bona and Loba products exclusively for finishing work. Both lines carry GREENGUARD certification and are low-VOC and pet-safe once fully cured, which matters in the busy family homes we work in most often. Whether you are refinishing solid oak or finishing new engineered hardwood, your household can get back to normal life quickly and safely.

Dustless Sanding Technology

Our vacuum-assisted sanding equipment captures 95% or more of the dust generated during refinishing, so it does not settle into your furniture, vents, or kitchen cabinets. This is especially important in the open floor plans common in Bartlett’s suburban colonials and ranch homes, where dust travels fast. You get cleaner air and a cleaner home throughout the entire sanding process.

On-Time, No-Stress Projects

We run a small, consistent crew – the same three people from start to finish, no rotating subcontractors brought in to fill gaps. That means clear communication every step of the way, a schedule we actually keep, and tradespeople who treat your home with genuine respect. About 80% of our clients come through referrals, and that does not happen by accident.

Floors and Stairs Under One Scope

Big Bro Hardwood handles installation, refinishing, staining, repair, and stair work as one coordinated project. You get a single team aligning the species, stain color, sheen level, and transitions from room to room and up the staircase, so nothing looks mismatched when the job is done. One crew, one scope, one finished result that holds together throughout your home.

Hardwood Flooring Services for Homes Across Bartlett, Illinois

From the older homes near downtown Bartlett to the newer subdivisions off Route 59, we handle every hardwood flooring need with the same small, experienced crew from start to finish.

Hardwood floor installation in progress

Hardwood Floor Installation in Bartlett

We install solid and engineered hardwood, prefinished or site-finished, in species like red oak, white oak, and maple. Before a single board goes down, we check subfloor flatness and moisture levels and let the wood acclimate on site, so your floor stays tight through Bartlett's cold winters and humid summers.
Sanding and refinishing a hardwood floor

Dustless Sanding & Refinishing in Bartlett

Our vacuum-assisted sanding equipment captures well over 90% of dust at the source. We sand back dull, scratched, or greyed boards, apply fresh stain if you want it, then lay down new coats of finish. It costs a fraction of replacement, starting from $3 per square foot.
Worker staining a hardwood floor

Hardwood Floor Staining in Bartlett

We test stain samples directly on your actual floor before you commit to anything. Whether you want a natural look, a rich Jacobean brown, a cool grey, or a lighter white-washed tone, you see exactly how it reads on your wood in your light before we proceed.
Hardwood floor repair

Hardwood Floor Repair in Bartlett

Water damage, rotted boards, deep scratches, dents, or seasonal gaps that have opened up over the years, we fix them all. We carefully match species, grade, and board width so the repaired section blends in and the patch simply disappears into the rest of your floor.
Worker installing hardwood stairs

Stair Installation & Refinishing in Bartlett

Stairs take more abuse than any other surface in the house. We install or refinish treads, risers, railings, and newel posts to match your hardwood floors throughout. Because we handle both your floors and your stairs, the wood tone and finish stay consistent from room to room.

About Big Bro Hardwood

We’re a hardwood floor company based in the Bartlett area, with 17+ years of hands-on experience in hardwood floor installation, floor refinishing, staining, and repair services. Our team is small, focused, and takes pride in doing every job right, from the first measurement to the final product.

We’ve completed 500+ Bartlett-area projects across the city and the Chicagoland area, and we work closely with every client to make sure the results match their flooring needs — no shortcuts, no guesswork. Big Bro Hardwood wood flooring contractors adhere to the industry’s National Wood Flooring Association Technical Guidelines.

Our wood flooring company believes in clear communication, the best materials, and clean, quality work. More than 80% of our new clients come from satisfied customers who recommend us to family, friends, and neighbors — and we’re genuinely proud to earn that kind of trust.

17+ years

Of experience

500+

Hardwood floor projects completed

30+

Suburbs served

1 crew

No subcontractors - the owner is on every hardwood job

Donatas, Big Bro Hardwood owner

Donatas

Owner

Donatas, 41, founded Big Bro Hardwood flooring company, and brings 17+ years of hands-on experience.
Valdas, Big Bro Hardwood team member

Valdas

Team member

47 years old, with 17+ years of experience helping our wood flooring company deliver quality work homeowners can trust.
Slavek, Big Bro Hardwood team member

Slavek

Team member

62 years old, bringing 37 years of experience in stairs, railings, and finish carpentry to every project.

Hardwood Flooring Built for Bartlett Homes

Bartlett's mix of 1970s-2000s subdivisions, a small historic core, and a humid continental climate all shape what hardwood installations here actually require - so we adjust our approach before we ever open a box of flooring.

1

1970s-1980s Ranch and Split-Level Homes

Many of these Bartlett homes came with standard strip red oak in the formal rooms and carpet everywhere else. The oak is often sound and worth saving. We check board thickness and subfloor condition first, then sand, stain, and refinish rather than replace. For pre-1978 homes we follow EPA Lead RRP protocols – containment, HEPA vacuuming, and clearance verification before we leave.

2

1990s-2000s Subdivision Colonials

Newer move-up homes in Bartlett’s planned subdivisions typically have OSB or plywood subfloors that are generally flat and stable. We still probe for moisture and check for deflection before installing wide-plank engineered or prefinished solid hardwood, because regional clay soils and freeze-thaw cycles can cause minor movement even on newer builds.

3

Townhomes and Metra-Area Clusters

Townhomes near the Bartlett Metra station sometimes sit on slab-on-grade. For those we use glue-down or floating engineered hardwood with a proper moisture barrier, and we coordinate scheduling to keep disruption manageable in attached-unit settings.

4

Finished Basements Over Concrete

Basements are common in Bartlett and many are finished living spaces. We install a vapor barrier and use engineered products rated for below-grade applications, because concrete holds residual moisture that solid hardwood cannot tolerate long-term.

5

Seasonal Humidity Swings

Hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters mean hardwood in Bartlett expands and contracts significantly across the year. We acclimate every delivery on site and ask homeowners to keep indoor humidity between 30-50% year-round to protect the finished floor.

In many Bartlett homes the original wood is worth saving rather than replacing - the only way to know is to look at the subfloor and boards up close.

How We Work as a Hardwood Floor Contractor

1

Call Us Today

Call or send the form, tell us about your floors, and we’ll set a time to come look.

2

In-Home Visit & Consultation

We measure, check the wood and subfloor, talk through color and options, and leave you an itemized estimate.

3

Executing the Plan

Our crew handles prep, sanding, install, stain, and finish on a dust-controlled setup, cleaning up daily.

4

Enjoy Your New Floors

We do a final walkthrough, go over care and timing, and stand behind the work.

Before & After: See a Recent Bartlett Refinishing Project

This one speaks for itself. A homeowner in Bartlett reached out about floors in a 1980s two-story that had taken years of heavy foot traffic - the boards were worn through, scratched and completely dull. We sanded them back to bare wood, repaired the damaged areas and refinished them from scratch. Same boards, no replacement. Take a look at the before and after photos below and judge the results for yourself.

Old wood floors in Chicago Refinished wood floors in Chicago by Big Bro Hardwood team
Close-up of a hardwood floor

Ready to Transform Your Bartlett Hardwood Floors?

Get a free in-home estimate within 24 hours. No pressure, no hidden costs — just honest advice and expert results, and no cutting corners.

How Much Will Your Bartlett Floor Project Cost?

Get a realistic budget range in about a minute for refinishing, new installation, replacing carpet with hardwood, or stairs. It’s a starting point, not a firm quote, and we confirm the exact figure with a free in-home estimate.

Get a Hardwood Flooring Estimate

Choose what you'd like an estimate for

Floor Area
Enter the total square footage to be refinished
sq ft
WOOD & FLOOR TYPE
Select the wood species and current finish

Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →

Red oak hardwood flooring sample
Red Oak
White oak hardwood flooring sample
White Oak
Maple hardwood flooring sample
Maple (clear coat)
Stained maple hardwood flooring sample
Maple (stained)
Cherry hardwood flooring sample
Cherry
Walnut hardwood flooring sample
Walnut
Hickory hardwood flooring sample
Hickory
Exotic hardwood flooring sample
Exotic / Other
Unfinished
Prefinished (oak)
Prefinished (maple / exotic)
Finish & Stain
Choose the coating system and color treatment
1-Component Water-Based
2-Component Water-Based
No Stain / Clear
Natural / Light Stain
Dark Stain
White Wash
Condition & Layout
Select the floor's current condition and room layout
Good Shape
Beat Up (deep scratches)
Old Wax Finish (30+ yrs)
Open Area (living room)
Mixed (kitchen + hallways)
Complex (multi-floor, tight)
Stairs (optional)
Estimated Project Cost

* This estimate is for budgeting purposes only. Actual pricing may vary based on site conditions, moisture levels, subfloor state, and access. A final quote requires an on-site inspection.

$—
$—
Minimum order is $700. Applied to your estimate.
Get Your Free Accurate Estimate
Floor Area
Enter the total square footage to be refinished
sq ft
Wood & Installation
Select the wood species and current finish

Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →

Red oak hardwood flooring sample

Red Oak $3–$7 / sq ft

White oak hardwood flooring sample

White Oak $4–$10 / sq ft

Maple hardwood flooring sample

Maple (clear coat) $4–$9 / sq ft

Stained maple hardwood flooring sample

Maple (stained) $4–$9 / sq ft

Cherry hardwood flooring sample

Cherry $5–$12 / sq ft

Walnut hardwood flooring sample

Walnut $7–$15 / sq ft

Hickory hardwood flooring sample

Hickory $4–$10 / sq ft

Exotic hardwood flooring sample

Exotic / Other $8–$20 / sq ft

Nail-Down
Glue-Down
Floating
Yes — include material cost
No — labor only
Add-ons

No removal needed

Remove carpet +$0.70–$1.60 / sq ft

Remove vinyl / linoleum +$1.00–$2.50 / sq ft

Remove tile +$1.50–$3.50 / sq ft

Subfloor leveling / repairs+$1.00–$3.00 / sq ft

Moisture barrier / underlayment+$0.70–$1.50 / sq ft

Stairs (optional)
Estimated Project Cost

* This estimate is for budgeting purposes only. Actual pricing may vary based on site conditions, moisture levels, subfloor state, and access. A final quote requires an on-site inspection.

Floor Area
Enter the total square footage to be refinished
sq ft
Wood & Installation
Select the wood species and current finish

Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →

Red oak hardwood flooring sample

Red Oak $3–$7 / sq ft

White oak hardwood flooring sample

White Oak $4–$10 / sq ft

Maple hardwood flooring sample

Maple (clear coat) $4–$9 / sq ft

Stained maple hardwood flooring sample

Maple (stained) $4–$9 / sq ft

Cherry hardwood flooring sample

Cherry $5–$12 / sq ft

Walnut hardwood flooring sample

Walnut $7–$15 / sq ft

Hickory hardwood flooring sample

Hickory $4–$10 / sq ft

Exotic hardwood flooring sample

Exotic / Other $8–$20 / sq ft

Nail-Down
Glue-Down
Floating
Yes — include material cost
No — labor only
ADD-ONS

Subfloor leveling / repairs+$1.00–$3.00 / sq ft

Moisture barrier / underlayment+$0.70–$1.50 / sq ft

Stairs (optional)
Estimated Project Cost

* This estimate is for budgeting purposes only. Actual pricing may vary based on site conditions, moisture levels, subfloor state, and access. A final quote requires an on-site inspection.

Clients' Testimonials

starstarstarstarstar
katherine rubiskatherine rubis
00:29 04 May 25
We had hardwood floors added to our family room and then refinished the whole main level. The quality of work was amazing. Donatas and his team were very easy to work with and always showed up on time. Would highly recommend!
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Matt MillerMatt Miller
00:48 29 Apr 25
If you want your floors to look awesome, have it done reliably and have very fair pricing, contact BigBroHardwood. We had our floors redone prior to moving in, the former owners didn't take care of the floors at all and now they look brand new!
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Michael SchieslMichael Schiesl
20:00 03 Feb 25
We had existing hardwood refinished along with installation of new hardwood in a carpeted area of our house. We were very pleased with the work that was done. Donatas and his team were very easy to work with. I would highly recommend them.
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jana mensingerjana mensinger
13:15 19 Nov 24
We hired Donatas to refinish hardwood floors in our 56-year-old Darien house last week and we are very pleased with the results. We dreaded the project because we had to shuffle furniture into other rooms and because of my preconceived notion that the entire house would be covered in sawdust. Well, I have to say it was nowhere near as bad as anticipated! Donatas sealed off adjacent areas and kept the dust down to a minimum, vacuuming up at the end of each day. We were very impressed with his attention to detail and overall work ethic, going out of his way to fix an unexpected issue resulting in a very long day for him. Ours was a week-long project, followed by a five-day curing period and Donatas made it as painless as possible for us. We feel very comfortable giving Big Bro Hardwood and Donatas in particular a five-star review and highly recommend them!
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Pat JohnsonPat Johnson
00:56 12 Apr 24
Dan and his team did a great job with our floors he was very thorough, explained the process well and cleaned up at the end of every day. He pays attention to the smallest of details too. I would certainly recommend him for your next flooring project.
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Carla Garza BeckerleyCarla Garza Beckerley
17:58 13 Apr 23
Dan transformed our 50 year old floors. They now shine as if they are brand new! We love the color of stain and the commercial finish he offered. Knowing we have a large dog this was a perfect choice and feel it is a great value. Again we are so happy with the results. Dan was prompt, professional and accommodating.

We would highly recommend Big Bro Hardwood!
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B OConnorB OConnor
14:29 21 Feb 23
We hired Dan after talking to 2 other companies and couldn’t be happier!!
He did a fantastic job, he showed up on time and his price was very reasonable.
He sanded and stained our 2nd story oak floors from golden oak color to a beautiful Jacobean stain. I really wish I had gotten “before & after” pictures. Our floors look absolutely beautiful and unlike the crew who did our 1st floor, Dan was very careful not to get ANY dark stain splatters on our white trim.
His hard work is impeccable and he’s a great credit to his craft!
I highly recommend him.
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Alicia CiuffiniAlicia Ciuffini
22:11 14 Dec 22
Couldn’t be happier with the job Big Bro did. The previous owners of our home installed bright red maple (who knows why), and I’ve wanted to change it forever. Maple is hard to work with, and Dan did a beautiful job. He worked with us on breaking up the project into two parts to inconvenience us the least, and was always on time and cleaned up. The project timeline went exactly as expected (a rarity these days). While refinishing floors is a hassle by default, Dan made it as painless as possible. Check out our before and after of one room for the big difference (still needs paint!)
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Michael ClarkMichael Clark
17:59 04 Aug 22
I thought my wood floors were beyond repair. 2 days later they look brand new.
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Brian ConserBrian Conser
02:21 02 Jul 22
We had our floors refinished and Denotas did an awesome job. Highly recommend. You will not be disappointed.
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Claire ProeschClaire Proesch
02:36 20 Apr 22
Dan refinished my floors and did amazing work. Not only do my floors look brand new, but he was extremely responsive throughout the entire process. I would 100% recommend Big Bro Hardwood!
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mark sejdamark sejda
20:18 09 Aug 21
Big Bro Hardwood did an excellent job refinishing our hardwood floors and replacing our railing. The result is beautiful. Pictures aren't from the same viewpoint, but show the before and after. They were great to work with and very responsive, which I greatly appreciated. Definitely would recommend them.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Most Bartlett homes were built in the 1980s and 1990s - does that affect my hardwood flooring options?

It actually works in your favor. Homes from that era typically have wood-framed floors over plywood or OSB subfloors, which are ideal for both solid and engineered hardwood. Many already have original strip oak under carpet in formal areas. We check subfloor flatness and moisture before any install, following NWFA guidelines, so whatever shape your 1980s or 1990s subfloor is in, we know how to prep it correctly for a lasting result.

Bartlett winters are rough and summers get humid - how does that affect hardwood floors?

It matters more than most homeowners expect. Bartlett’s humid continental climate means your floors expand in summer and contract in winter. Keeping indoor humidity between 30-50% year-round is the single best thing you can do to prevent gaps and cupping. We acclimate every board on site before installation, and we’ll walk you through simple humidity management so your floors stay stable through every season.

I have a finished basement in my Bartlett home - can I put hardwood down there?

Engineered hardwood is usually the right call for finished basements here. Bartlett’s widespread basement construction means concrete subfloors are common at that level, and solid hardwood doesn’t tolerate the moisture that concrete can release. We assess moisture levels before recommending anything, and we discuss vapor barriers where needed. Engineered products installed correctly over concrete can look just as warm and genuine as solid wood upstairs.

My Bartlett home has an older kitchen and foyer with ceramic tile over plywood - can you replace it with hardwood?

Yes, and it’s one of the most common remodels we do in homes like yours. We remove the existing tile, inspect and prep the plywood subfloor, and install site-finished or prefinished oak or maple to match or complement your existing floors. The transition from dated ceramic to hardwood makes a dramatic difference in how a 1980s or 1990s floor plan feels. We’ll bring samples and talk through the best fit at your free estimate.

What does hardwood floor refinishing cost in Bartlett, and how do I get a rough number before calling?

Refinishing starts at $3 per square foot, and our cost calculator gives you a useful ballpark before we ever visit. For smaller homes under 1,200 square feet, we offer flat-rate pricing so there are no surprises. Every estimate is itemized line by line, and the in-home visit is always free – usually scheduled within 24 hours. New clients also receive 10% off when conditions allow.

How do I know whether to refinish my existing floors or replace them entirely?

Most solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times before replacement makes sense. We look at board thickness, the depth of any existing scratches or damage, and whether the wood has been sanded before. Refinishing is almost always the more affordable path and preserves the character of original floors. We’ll give you an honest answer at the estimate – we won’t push replacement if refinishing is the right call.

How long does the work take, and do we need to leave the house?

Refinishing a typical main floor takes two to three days including drying time between coats. Installation timelines vary by square footage and prep work needed. You don’t have to leave, but we recommend staying off finished surfaces while coats cure. Our vacuum-assisted sanding captures 95% or more of dust at the source, so the rest of your home stays livable. We use low-VOC Bona and Loba finishes that are kid- and pet-safe once fully cured.

What kind of warranty do you offer, and who actually does the work?

We back every project with a workmanship warranty and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – if a craftsmanship issue comes up, we fix it. We also offer emergency repairs within 48 hours. The same small crew handles your project start to finish – no rotating subcontractors, no handoffs. Donatas, Valdas, and Slavek have been doing this work together for over 17 years, and about 80% of our Bartlett and area clients come to us through referrals. That says a lot.

Let’s Get Your Project Started

Tell us what you need — we’ll help you figure out the best way to get it done.