How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Tile Floor in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Expect to spend an average of $560 for the cost to remove a tile floor, with most projects falling between the average range of $320 and $1,120. Tile flooring removal pros bring tools that finish the job faster and keep dust under control. What you ultimately pay comes down to square footage, tile type, and whether you opt for a dust-free system.

Tile Floor Removal Cost Factors

The total square footage and the type of tile you need to remove are the main factors affecting the cost to demo tile flooring. Hiring a cleaning crew or experts to install new tile floors can add to your overall project cost.

Square Footage

Plan on $3.50 per square foot for tile removal, with most prices running from $2 to $7.

Type of Tile

The type of tile you're removing can also affect the overall cost. The cost to remove ceramic tile and porcelain tile floors is similar, though removing ceramic tile may be more affordable.

You'll pay about twice as much for stone and slate tile removal, as harder and denser tiles require more labor and specialized tools. Slate tiles have a higher potential for chipping or breaking during removal. Thicker tiles also cost more to remove.

Labor

Labor is the most significant tile removal cost factor. Hiring a local tile contractor ranges from $2 to $7 per square foot, with additional costs for dustless tile removal. If you're remodeling your entire kitchen or bathroom, contractors may wrap the cost to remove tile floors in their total interior demo costs.

Manual Removal

Using hand tools is slow, tedious work. Expect eight to 12 hours to clear 100 square feet—plus extra time for cleanup and disposal.

Professionals will only use essential tools—such as a hammer, chisel, and pry bar—for small projects, including bathroom floors, walls, tile showers, and tile backsplashes. They'll also need basic supplies, such as work gloves, dust masks, protective eye shields, plastic sheeting, drop cloths, and heavy-duty trash bags.

Power Tool Removal

Most tile pros break out power tools for medium and large projects. With the right gear, they can clear 100 square feet in four to six hours.

Common tools for this type of work include:

• Demo hammer

• Powered cutting tool

• Angle grinder

• Heavy-duty vacuum

• Shop-Vac

Large Machinery Removal

Some contractors bring in dust-free machines that knock out removal in a fraction of the time and keep debris contained.

Dustless Tile Removal Cost

Dust-free tile removal costs more because the gear is pricey and setup takes longer, so budget $3.50 to $7 per square foot for the upgrade.

Asbestos Removal

Particularly in older homes built before 1980, the risk of asbestos exposure is a consideration when removing ceilings, walls, or flooring. The average cost to remove asbestos ranges from $5 to $20 per square foot.

Other Services

Most contractors include tile disposal in their price, but a few charge a separate fee; always ask what’s covered before you sign. On average, junk removal costs between $130 and $370 after a tile removal project.

As you proceed with this project, you may encounter other issues and opportunities worth addressing. If you discover damage to the subfloor after removing the tile, you may need to repair or replace it. Subfloor replacement costs $3 to $10 per square foot. Additionally, permit fees may apply and can range from $50 to $500. Additional considerations may include:

• Mold inspection: $300 to $400 

• Mold remediation: $2.50 per square foot

• Dumpster rental for disposal: $200 to $800

Tile Floor Removal vs. Repair

Deciding between removing and repairing your tile floor depends on the level of damage and the age of the flooring. Consider repair when the damage is localized to no more than 25% of the total floor area, and the repair cost is well below 50% of the cost to remove the tile floor and replace it with new flooring.

If the damage is extensive, tiles are outdated, or the floor has significant underlying issues like damage to the subfloor, water damage, or uneven surfaces, full removal becomes a better long-term solution, even if it may be more costly upfront.

Budgeting for Tile Floor Removal

With careful planning, you can effectively manage the cost of removing tile floors. Follow these actionable steps to save money on your tile removal project:

• Obtain at least three detailed quotes from professionals in your area to compare pricing and services.

• Request estimates from both handypeople and tile removal specialists, comparing their experience and available tile removal methods.

• Clear the area yourself before the professionals arrive to reduce their billable hours and minimize potential damage.

• Ask each contractor how they handle disposal and whether there’s room to trim the haul-away fee.

• Sell or reuse intact tiles if they are still in good condition, offering them on online marketplaces or to architectural salvage stores.

• Have a professional inspect the subfloor before full removal to anticipate potential additional repair costs.

• Consider a partial removal if only some areas are damaged, rather than paying for a full floor replacement.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.