When upgrading your flooring or entirely settling for a new one, how much to remove tile floor is a major concern you’re likely to come across. Switching to new flooring does come with an undeniable expense dimension regarding the removal of the former one. Now, you must be wondering how much does it cost to remove tile flooring. Here is the answer to your question.
The usual cost to remove ceramic tiles is between $1.50 and $4.15 for each square foot. This is the common range for tile removal costs.
Based on this pricing, you can expect to spend up to $415 for tile removal for a 100 sq. feet area.
AVERAGE COST TO REMOVE CERAMIC TILE FROM FLOORS OR WALLS
The average cost you pay for your tile removal, in the first place, depends on whether you’re having it done by the professionals or going for an attempt yourself.
Labor Costs for Removal
The biggest cost consideration for tile removal is paying professional installers for their time and labor. If contracting a job rather than DIY, you’ll need to understand typical per hour and minimum service charges.
On average, labor will account for about 80-90% of your total tile removal costs. Labor rates typically range from:
- $45: $65 per hour for handypersons and general contractors
- $65: $100+ per hour for specialized tile removal contractors
Expect jobs under 15 square feet to start at the company’s one-hour minimum service charge. Rates and minimums specific to tile removal professionals in your area may vary slightly from these averages.
In addition to hourly service fees, some tile removal companies charge minimum fees based on square footage. For example, some have $400 minimums for projects under 75 square feet.
Be sure to get complete price details upfront before hiring a removal contractor. Multi-day projects may include trip fees and other charges beyond simple hourly rates.
Average Cost Ranges
Now that we’ve covered the major variables that change removal pricing, what are typical per-square-foot costs? And how much does it cost to remove tile flooring including labor charges.
Most homeowners spend between $3 to $7 per square foot for professional tile removal including labor and materials. Especially difficult jobs with concrete subfloors or intricate tile patterns may reach $10 per square foot or more.
Here are some sample average tile removal costs for common tile removal scenarios:
- 12”x12” ceramic floor tiles in one small bathroom (35 sq ft)
- DIY: $200 – $300
- Contractor: $350 – $500
- Mixed stone & ceramic tiling in kitchen plus dining area (400 sq ft)
- DIY: $1,800 – $2,400
- Contractor: $2,800 – $3,600
- Slate flooring throughout large open-concept living space (850 sq ft)
- DIY: $3,500 – $4,500
- Contractor: $5,500 – $7,000
Keep in mind every home layout and tile job differs. Have a professional installer assess your specific space for the most accurate quote.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE COST OF REMOVING TILE FLOORING
Multiple influential factors can affect how much it costs to remove tile flooring or, in other words, the cost to remove tile per square foot.
Some of the mainstream factors include:
- Your locality: That matters because labor rates fluctuate depending on the localities and areas. And while you find some sort of services expensive in your area, some distant contractors are likely to do the job for you, on a budget.
- The condition of your floors: This makes a difference because often the floors have been extremely worn out and you can’t possibly handle the removal project yourself. That’s when you’re left with no option but to hire professional tile-removing services.
- The manufacturers you’re dealing with: There are often full deals that include everything you need, so you don’t have to do any priming or prepping yourself. The company takes care of everything. However, if the rules aren’t too strict, you can save money by getting the floor ready yourself.
- The area you’re dealing with: This means the total square footage of the area that will be your working site because both the materials and labor costs are calculated based on per square foot. So the greater the area that needs the treatment, the more you can expect to pay.
- The re-usage extent of your tiles: Whether they are reusable. Often after completely getting rid of the former mortar, it’s quite possible to reuse the tiles and this can save you the money meant to be spent on the new one. But this generally neither is considered a good idea nor practically possible in most cases.
THE MAJOR METHODS OF TILE REMOVAL
Given ahead are the major ways in which you do/get the removal of your former tile flooring.
MANUAL HAND TOOLS
Tools like an Air Hammer, Demolition fork, floor scraper, jackhammer, and manual grout removal tools are some of the major supplies that are must-haves for any and every removal project.
Not to mention there is an entire list of other essential stuff, too, that you’ll need to either buy or rent for your work.
LARGE SIZE REMOVING TILES MACHINES
The name of those tools gives it away: they’re meant to make tile work much faster and easier. People who do their own projects are less likely to use these properly, but you’ll probably see professionals use them.
P.S. You can even rent a tile-removing machine for some time and after gaining appropriate knowledge, you can go for a try yourself.
DIY METHOD TO REMOVE TILE
How much to remove the tile floor the DIY way is quite a relief for one’s budget since this, of course, is the scenario where you don’t have to pay for the services.
However, it’s always a best and productivity-enhancing idea to reward yourself during and after the project to keep things interesting!
We’d like to mention the fact that DIY tile removal, while it might seem easy to take over, isn’t a walk in the park at all. Besides, you’re much more prone to getting yourself into danger or even causing a waste of time and stuff.
Still, if you’ve got enough nerves to go for it, we wish you the best of luck and have got you the cost of supplies you’ll be needing.
COST OF SUPPLIES REQUIRED IN TILE REMOVAL
For a rough estimate, the average cost to remove tile per square foot in terms of a DIY project can reach up to $1.50 per square foot
Ahead are the tools that you’ll be required for DIY tile removal. The entire pricing depends on whether you purchase them or go for renting them.
- Floor Scraper (Long-handled)
- Chisel or Air Hammer
- Drop Sheet
- Paint Scraper
- Hammer
- Screw Gun
- Flat shovel
- Roofing Rake
- Pry Bar
- Screw Driver
- Shop VAC
- Painters’ Tape
DIY OR HIRE A PRO TO REMOVE TILE FLOORING
You might want to know can you save money by removing tile floors yourself instead of hiring a professional? And what if you choose a professional how much does it cost to remove tile flooring? Possibly, but only if you have the right tools, patience, and perseverance. Attempting tile removal as a DIY project takes significantly more physical effort and time. But it saves paying labor costs.
Pros of DIY tile removal:
- Avoid hourly labor fees which make up the biggest portion of the tile removal cost
- Learn a new hands-on skill
- Dictate your schedule
Cons of DIY tile removal:
- Equipment purchases or rentals offset savings
- Very physically demanding, especially in large areas
- Risk damaging subfloor without proper technique
- generating disposal expenses
Weigh your ability and willingness to take on tiling removing yourself before deciding between DIY and contractor removal. Paying for labor expertise is often worthwhile long-term.
WHY HIRING A PROFESSIONAL FOR TILE REMOVAL CAN BE BENEFICIAL?
Hiring a professional to get your floor tiles removed is always the most fool-proof idea because that’s legitimately the situation when things are guaranteed to NOT go wrong. Besides, it can save a lot of your precious time and physical effort.
Besides that, it is after all the level of skill you pay for, which also comes with the assurance of durability. That’s because a procedure done the right way is likely to outlast usage and wear and tear, too.
FAQS | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE TILES MYSELF?
That’s probably something you can do yourself, as long as you don’t mind taking too long and have the right tools on hand. Also, your tile should be easy to remove with a putty knife once you’ve taken off the grout and caulk around it.
IS THERE A WAY TO UPDATE FLOOR TILES WITHOUT REMOVING THEM?
You can easily make that happen with the installation of Vinyl Flooring or Laminated wooden flooring. Besides, you can also go for the addition of epoxy coating or adding artificial grass on top of the existing flooring, as well. Thoroughly cleaning or putting rugs or carpets are also some of the effective approaches.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO TILE OVER AN EXISTING TILING?
That’s possible and is frankly the biggest advantage of tile flooring. However, installing new tile flooring over an existing one comes with the condition of the former flooring to be entirely dirt and accumulation free and there should not be any major damaged parts to clash with the new tiling, as well.
CAN I SAVE MONEY ON TILE REMOVAL COSTS?
Yes, you can save money by doing some prep work yourself, like removing furniture or appliances. However, remember that professional tile removal ensures safety and efficiency. Weigh the pros and cons, and if unsure, consult a professional.
IS TILE REMOVAL NECESSARY BEFORE HARDWOOD FLOOR INSTALLATION?
Removing tile flooring is an essential step to ensure beforehand the installation of hardwood floors, to not face any trouble at the moment and ahead. The removal also provides a hurdle-free space for the hardwood floor and also makes it easy to nail it down.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO REUSE TILES?
As long as you take them off the right way and without damaging them. For this, you’ll need to get rid of the mortar completely, and this goes the same for any other residue present. However, many manufacturers consider it a useless idea because the mortar often becomes a part of the tile over time and is difficult to remove.
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