How Much Does It Cost To Remove Tile?

Tile removal cost

When researching how to remove tile floor, you want to consider all of the cost factors related to this demolition. Tile floor removal is a labor-intensive process, which means that the bulk of your costs will be related to the manpower required to remove the flooring. Removing tile is a multi-step process that involves detaching each piece of tile and mortar from the backing surface. After the tiles are detached from the floor, they require being broken down into pieces that can be hauled away. Labor costs also include hauling away the tile from the work site, ensuring it is disposed of legally. As a result, the labor cost to remove tile typically ranges between $724 and $1,7000 for a 300-square-foot job that takes 40 hours to complete.

Cost to remove tile per square foot

The cost to remove tiles depends largely on the size of your space. A small powder room is going to require much less time and labor to remove the tile than a spacious kitchen, for example. As a result, understanding the cost to remove tile per square foot is important. This per-square-foot cost ranges between $3.27 and $6.64 per square foot.

Types of tile removal cost

The cost to remove ceramic tile floor has other expenses as well. The method that your contractor uses to remove the flooring can be a determining factor in cost and time involved. Your contractor will make a recommendation on the appropriate tile removal process for your project, although you can always request quotes for different types of removal to find one that suits your budget. The following types of tile removal costs are options for most tile removal jobs:

Manual tile removal

Small jobs might be easiest to tackle manually. In this method, your contractor will use several tools to manually remove each piece of tile. They will remove a hammer to break each piece of tile and then a chisel and prybar to remove the remaining tile. Then, a floor scraping tool removes any remaining scraps. Obviously, this work can be tedious and labor intensive, so it typically isn't used for large square footage rooms. 

Power tools

Powered hand tools are another way how to remove floor tile. Several tools work here, and which ones are used depend on the setup of your tile flooring. For example, if the tile is placed over a wood subfloor, a powered cutting tool can be a more efficient way to remove the tile. However, this method works only if you plan on replacing the subfloor as well because you will cut into it to remove the tile.

Tile removing machine

The largest projects call for the most high-powered tools to remove the tile. If you are removing tile flooring from a large room, a large tile removing machine can be the most efficient option. Finding a contractor who has one might be the easiest way to reduce your tile demo cost because it will take less time to complete the job.

Cost factors

Clearly, determining how much does it cost to remove tile depends on a number of factors, including but not limited to labor costs and your tile removal method. Understanding the additional costs helps you to determine how much your tile removal project will cost you. Keep these cost factors in mind.

Location

Like other home improvement projects, your tile removal cost will depend on the going rate in your local area. Since the average per-square-foot cost of tile removal ranges more than $3, your location can be a determining factor in final cost. Your area's cost of living and the number of competitors in the area can determine that local cost. Even more, your location compared to the contractor's can play a role in how much you pay. If you live far outside of city limits and are hiring a city-based contractor, you might end up paying them a bit extra for their travel time. 

Labor

The amount of labor involved also determines the cost to remove tile. You might consider tackling some of the demolition yourself, removing broken or easy-to-remove pieces of tile yourself before hiring a professional for the more difficult work. Or, perhaps you're not interested in a DIY job and would prefer to leave it to a professional. Your choices on labor will dictate how much you end up paying someone to help you remove tile.

Tools used

Whether you're tackling your tile project on your own or hiring a professional, you're going to need the right tools to safely remove the tile from the subfloor. As discussed, these tools vary, from simple hand tools to power tools and even more advanced tile machines. If you opt for more complex tools and machines, you're going to end up paying more for the work but enjoying the efficiency that comes with these effective tools.

Dust removal

If your home has undergone any type of renovation, you know the mess that can come along with it. Tile removal is no exception. Dust-free tile removal is an option, but it will cost more. You might see some contractors marketing dust-free tile removal, which is a tile removal system that uses special equipment to remove tile without leaving any dust behind. Due to the cost of the equipment involved, dust-free tile removal is more expensive. Your contractor will likely charge you an additional cost per square foot for this type of removal. Keep in mind, however, that your time spent cleaning or cleaning costs, if you planned to hire professionals, will be reduced by this method.

Tile disposal

If you want your contractor to dispose of the removed tile, you're going to have to pay for it. If you have a truck and the time, hauling your removed tile to the local landfill can save you money, but not convenience. Paying your contractor to haul away the tile simplifies the cleanup process. Consider the size of your project when deciding who will haul the tile away. A small project might not leave behind too much tile to remove, making it a more realistic DIY removal job than larger spaces that generate plenty of tiles.

Permits and related costs

Fortunately, tile removal on your personal property should not require any permits and costs related to acquiring one. However, always check your city's ordinances to ensure every renovation project meets local guidelines.

Cost per hour

Another way to assess floor tile removal cost is to consider the cost per hour for the project. A 40-hour project will typically cost between $724 and $1,700. This results in an hourly charge ranging between about $18 and $42 per hour. Keep in mind that this hourly cost will depend on how many laborers you will need. The more individuals working on your tile removal project, the more you will pay per hour.

DIY vs. hire a pro

Like other home improvement projects, you will need to decide whether your tile removal project is one that you want to take on or one that you want to hire a professional to complete for you. Consider these factors when evaluating the best decision for you.

Tools and equipment

Consider whether you have access to the tools you need to remove tile. If you don't, you're going to have to incur some tool and equipment-related costs that might negate any labor costs you save by DIYing your tile removal.

Experience

Experienced DIYers can certainly successfully tackle tile removal. In fact, even relatively handy novices with the right tools can chip away at their flooring and remove tile. However, a pro is going to be able to do it more efficiently and effectively. Determine your skill level before tackling this project.

Size of your floor

Also, consider the time investment involved with your tile removal project. Removing tile in a small bathroom is achievable for the skilled DIYer. However, a spacious basement or kitchen tile removal job might feel overwhelming, especially if you're tackling the job on your own. Consider how much tile floor removal you can manage before hiring the job out to a pro.

Pros and Cons

When deciding whether you want to remove your tile, consider these pros and cons: 

Pros

• Small jobs can be DIYed.
• The right tools make the project straightforward.
• Experienced pros can tackle tile removal jobs with ease.

Cons

• Other types of flooring may not be as durable or water-resistant.
• Tile removal may damage the subfloor. 
• Tile removal can result in a lot of dust, which can require significant, perhaps professional, cleaning.