Removing dated or damaged tile is often the first step in a residential kitchen, bath, or entryway remodel. Yet homeowners are frequently surprised by how many variables influence the final price. At CountBricks, we use real-time material databases, AI voice capture, and automated labor benchmarks to deliver line-item accuracy—before a single hammer swing.
1. Tile Type and Thickness
• Standard ceramic tiles generally lift faster than dense porcelain or natural stone
• Larger, thicker formats require heavier tools and more disposal weight
2. Installation Method
• Mortar-set tiles bonded to concrete backer board come up faster than thin-set on a slab
• Older mud-bed installations can triple labor hours because the mortar bed must also be chipped out
3. Square Footage and Layout
• Open areas allow crews to work efficiently, while tight bathrooms or stairs slow progress
• The larger the area, the lower the cost per square foot thanks to economies of scale
4. Subfloor Condition
• Hidden water damage or a cracked slab will add time for repair and preparation
• CountBricks Pro Inspect uses mobile scanning to flag weak spots during your on-site walk-through
5. Waste Handling
• Disposal fees in Denver average 5-7 ¢ per pound and rise sharply for lead-based mastics
• Our platform auto-calculates dump weight based on tile density so nothing is forgotten in the bid
Because tile removal is demolition-heavy, labor usually accounts for 60-70 % of the total cost. Remaining charges cover debris bags, safety gear, plywood floor protection, and landfill fees. CountBricks taps localized wage data every 24 hours to keep your labor allowances in sync with real-world market rates.
• Small powder room (30 sq ft) ceramic removal: $300-$450
• Mid-size kitchen (150 sq ft) porcelain removal: $1,200-$1,600
• Whole-house flooring (900 sq ft) mixed materials: $6,200-$8,000
Figures include labor, protection, and haul-off, and are updated weekly inside CountBricks Estimate Studio. Pricing in mountain communities or out-of-city landfills can vary up to 12 %.
Step-by-Step Digital Workflow
1. Speak your scope – Our voice AI captures square footage, tile type, and jobsite constraints in real time.
2. Instant takeoff – Blueprints or mobile photos convert to surface areas inside CountBricks Blueprint AI.
3. Dynamic cost engine – Live material catalogs and regional labor tables generate a detailed estimate in seconds.
4. Client-ready documents – One click exports branded proposals, Gantt timelines, and legally sound contracts.
• Prevent mid-project change orders that erode margins
• Build homeowner trust with transparent, line-item pricing
• Secure material deposits faster thanks to clear cost breakdowns
• Ask your contractor to include subfloor repair allowances—even if issues aren't visible yet
• Schedule demolition early in the week; landfill operating hours can delay weekend tear-outs
• Verify that plastic dust barriers and air scrubbers are part of the quote to protect living spaces
• Reuse opportunities: intact natural stone pieces can be sold or donated, offsetting disposal costs
• Built-in OSHA checklists ensure crews have respirators and eye protection logged before start
• Automatic silica dust compliance reminders appear on the field app to keep penalties at bay
• Digital daily logs with photo evidence store securely on CountBricks.com/portfolio for client transparency
How long does tile removal take?
A typical 100 sq ft kitchen floor comes up in one workday, plus a half-day for clean-up. Complex patterns or heated floors add time.
Can I stay in my home during removal?
Yes, but CountBricks recommends sealing adjacent rooms and setting up negative air machines. Noise and vibration are unavoidable during demo hours.
Is DIY removal worth it?
Renting chipping hammers and dumpsters can cost nearly as much as professional labor once you factor in tool deposits, protective gear, and your own time. Our data show professional crews average 45 % faster completion.
Skip the guesswork. Upload your photos or blueprints to CountBricks.com/services and receive a same-day, AI-verified estimate for the exact cost to remove tile in your home.
When the Miller family decided to replace their dated travertine floors, they turned to CountBricks for an accurate demolition budget. Using Blueprint AI, our estimator traced the floor plan and auto-tagged material density. Voice notes captured doorway count, baseboard salvage requests, and the presence of an in-slab radiant heat system.
Results at a Glance
• Initial AI estimate: $4,980, generated in under five minutes
• Final invoiced amount: $5,040—variance less than 1.3 %
• Project duration: Two days of removal, one day surface prep
• Waste diverted: 18 % of travertine repurposed via local salvage partners
1. Early Detection Saves Money – Thermal imaging flagged two compromised heating loops before demo, preventing accidental line cuts and a potential $1,200 repair.
2. Smart Sequencing – By scheduling the dumpster swap at 2 pm on day one, crews avoided downtime and finished a half-day early.
3. Data-Driven Trust – Because the Millers could track progress photos in real time on CountBricks.com/portfolio, they approved the final invoice within hours of completion.
• Upload complete room measurements; AI can’t recognize what it can’t see.
• Always include a disposal weight buffer of 5-8 % for grout and thin-set dust.
• If radiant heat is present, invest in pre-demo thermal scans—much cheaper than post-demo repairs.
CountBricks delivers more than numbers; we deliver confidence. Start your next tile removal plan at CountBricks.com/consultation and experience estimates that stand up to reality.
