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From Just $3/sq ft
Owner-Led
Company
Certified Pet- & Family-Safe Finishes
500+ Floors Completed
Solid and Engineered Floors
Big Bro Hardwood is an employee-owned hardwood flooring company serving West Chicago and nearby 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 – restoring original strip oak in railroad-era homes near the historic downtown, refreshing mid-century ranch floors that were buried under carpet for decades, and installing engineered hardwood over concrete slabs in newer subdivisions built out along Route 59.
You get the same small crew from the first measurement to the last coat – no rotating subcontractors, ever. We give you a clear, line-by-line estimate so nothing is a surprise. Our vacuum-assisted sanding captures 95%+ of dust, and we finish with Bona and Loba products that are kid- and pet-safe once cured. Call or email and we will come out to West Chicago for a free estimate within 24 hours.
Premium Results From $3/sq ft
Beautiful hardwood floors in West Chicago do not have to come with a steep price. Our refinishing services start at just $3, and installation is priced to fit real budgets without cutting corners on quality. Want a quick ballpark before we visit? Use our hardwood floor cost calculator to get a sense of what your project might look like.
On-Time, No-Stress Projects
We show up when we say we will, keep the work area tidy, and talk to you throughout the job – no guessing, no surprises. Our crew treats your home with genuine respect. Clear communication from start to finish means you always know what is happening and what comes next, without having to chase anyone down for answers.
80% of Clients Refer Us
Around 80% of our work comes from referrals. Neighbors recommend us to neighbors, and families call us back when they move to a new home. That kind of trust is not something you can advertise your way into – it is earned one project at a time through honest work and results people are genuinely proud to show off.
Dustless Sanding Technology
Our vacuum-assisted sanding equipment captures 95% or more of dust at the source, so it does not settle into your furniture, vents, or air. For families with kids, pets, or anyone sensitive to air quality, this makes a real difference. You get freshly sanded floors without the fine grit coating everything in the house for days afterward.
Complex Projects Planned, Not Improvised
West Chicago homes range from railroad-era bungalows with original strip oak to newer subdivision builds over OSB subfloors and concrete slabs. Each situation calls for its own approach. We assess subfloor flatness, moisture levels, and existing conditions before a single board goes down. Transitions, stair work, custom stains, and moisture mitigation are mapped out in advance – not figured out mid-job.
Free In-Home Estimate Within 24 Hours
We come to your home, walk the space, and look at the actual floors – not just a photo or a square-footage guess. You get a detailed, itemized estimate within 24 hours at no charge. That means your quote reflects real conditions: subfloor type, existing finish, wood species, and anything else that affects the scope and the price.
From the railroad-era bungalows near downtown to the newer subdivisions off Route 59, we work in all kinds of West Chicago homes and know what each one needs.
We’re a hardwood floor company based in the West Chicago 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+ West Chicago-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
Owner
Valdas
Team member
Slavek
Team member
West Chicago's mix of railroad-era cottages, mid-century ranches, and newer subdivision colonials means no two floors are quite the same - here is how we approach each type.
1
Railroad-Era and Pre-1978 West Chicago Homes
Older homes near the historic downtown core often have original strip oak or maple over plank subfloors. These floors are worth refinishing when the boards are sound. Because many predate 1978, we follow EPA Lead RRP protocols on every job in this category – proper containment, HEPA vacuum collection, and clearance verification before we leave.
2
Mid-Century Ranches and Split-Levels
Postwar ranches common throughout West Chicago typically have hardwood in main living areas and carpet or vinyl elsewhere. We check subfloor flatness and moisture before touching anything. Where boards are cupped or stained from past moisture, we address the cause first, then sand and refinish rather than cover the problem.
3
Additions and Room Conversions
When a remodel adds square footage or converts a space, the new floor has to match the old one. We blend species, stain, and finish so the seam disappears. Getting the color right takes patience and test patches – we do not skip that step.
4
Newer Subdivisions and Tract Homes
Homes built from the 1980s onward often have OSB or plywood subfloors with builder-grade carpet or laminate on top. Nail-down or glue-down engineered hardwood is a natural upgrade here. We confirm subfloor flatness and moisture levels before installation, especially where slab-on-grade construction is involved.
5
Townhomes and Condos Near the Metra Corridor
Attached units near the Metra station area frequently sit on concrete slab. We use glue-down or floating engineered hardwood with proper moisture testing and a vapor barrier underneath. Low-VOC Bona and Loba finishes keep air quality manageable in shared-wall buildings, and we schedule work to respect HOA quiet hours.
6
Humidity and Seasonal Movement
West Chicago winters drop into the teens and summers bring real humidity. That swing causes wood to expand and contract every year. We acclimate every board on site before installation, leave proper expansion gaps at walls, and ask every client to keep indoor humidity between 30-50% year-round. Floors installed with that in mind stay flat and tight for decades.
In many West Chicago 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.
1
Call or send the form, tell us about your floors, and we’ll set a time to come look.
2
We measure, check the wood and subfloor, talk through color and options, and leave you an itemized estimate.
3
Our crew handles prep, sanding, install, stain, and finish on a dust-controlled setup, cleaning up daily.
4
We do a final walkthrough, go over care and timing, and stand behind the work.
This one came from a mid-century ranch in West Chicago, the kind of home where the original hardwood had been under carpet for years and came out scratched, dull, and worn down in the high-traffic areas. No replacement needed. We sanded the boards back, repaired the damage, and refinished them with the same wood that was already there. Take a look at the before and after photos below and judge the results for yourself.
Get a free in-home estimate within 24 hours. No pressure, no hidden costs — just honest advice and expert results, and no cutting corners.
A recent West Chicago staircase remodel: white oak treads, black risers, and horizontal iron spindles, sanded and refinished for a clean, modern look. See the details behind the build.
See how we transformed a dated staircase into a clean, modern Scandinavian look with white oak treads, black risers, and horizontal iron spindles in West Chicago.
Learn moreGet 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.
Choose what you'd like an estimate for
Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →
* 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.
Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →
Red Oak $3–$7 / sq ft
White Oak $4–$10 / sq ft
Maple (clear coat) $4–$9 / sq ft
Maple (stained) $4–$9 / sq ft
Cherry $5–$12 / sq ft
Walnut $7–$15 / sq ft
Hickory $4–$10 / sq ft
Exotic / Other $8–$20 / sq ft
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
* 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.
Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →
Red Oak $3–$7 / sq ft
White Oak $4–$10 / sq ft
Maple (clear coat) $4–$9 / sq ft
Maple (stained) $4–$9 / sq ft
Cherry $5–$12 / sq ft
Walnut $7–$15 / sq ft
Hickory $4–$10 / sq ft
Exotic / Other $8–$20 / sq ft
Subfloor leveling / repairs+$1.00–$3.00 / sq ft
Moisture barrier / underlayment+$0.70–$1.50 / sq ft
* 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.
Donatas July 21, 2026
Donatas May 21, 2026
Donatas April 28, 2026
Older homes near the historic core are common in West Chicago, and many still have original strip oak or maple under layers of carpet or vinyl. Because homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, we follow EPA Lead RRP protocols – proper containment, HEPA vacuuming, and verification before we leave. We also check for out-of-level subfloors and previous remodel layers, which are typical in these older builds. We handle all of it before any sanding or finishing begins.
The seasonal swings here are real. Cold, dry winters pull moisture out of wood and can cause boards to gap, while humid summers push them together. We recommend keeping indoor humidity between 30-50% year-round using a humidifier in winter and air conditioning or a dehumidifier in summer. We also acclimate every board on-site before installation so the wood adjusts to your home’s actual conditions before we nail a single plank.
Basements in this area can hold moisture, especially after heavy rain or during humid summers. Solid hardwood below grade is risky. We typically recommend floating engineered hardwood over a proper vapor barrier, or luxury vinyl plank if moisture readings are elevated. Before any installation, we test the concrete slab for moisture and assess the space. Getting that step right protects your investment for years to come.
This is one of the most common projects we see in West Chicago’s newer subdivisions. OSB and plywood subfloor systems are well-suited for nail-down or glue-down engineered hardwood, and wide-plank prefinished or site-finished oak is a popular upgrade. We check subfloor flatness first, flatten any high spots, and confirm moisture levels before installation. The result is a significant improvement over builder-grade carpet with a finish that holds up to daily life.
Refinishing starts at $3 per square foot, and we offer a flat rate for homes under 1,200 sq ft. For a quick ballpark before we visit, try our cost calculator. Every in-home estimate is free, and we provide itemized, line-by-line quotes so you know exactly what you are paying for. We aim to schedule your estimate within 24 hours of your call.
Most solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished several times over their life. We look at board thickness, the depth of scratches or damage, and whether the wood is structurally sound. If the floors are cupped from moisture, have loose boards, or are simply too thin to sand again, replacement makes more sense. We give you an honest assessment at the estimate – we are not going to push replacement when a good refinish will do the job.
A standard refinishing job for a main floor usually takes two to four days, including dry time between coats. Installation timelines vary by size and complexity. You do not always need to vacate, but you will need to stay off the finished areas while coats cure. We walk you through the schedule before we start so there are no surprises. Our small, consistent crew moves efficiently and keeps disruption to a minimum.
Yes. We use Bona and Loba low-VOC finishes as our standard, with other professional-grade options available depending on your project. Once fully cured, these finishes are safe for children and pets. We will tell you the exact reentry time for your space – it varies by product and ventilation. We never cut corners on finish quality, because a durable, well-applied finish is what protects your floors for the long run.
Tell us what you need — we’ll help you figure out the best way to get it done.
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