In this article, we’ll be looking at the average cost to remove hardwood floors.
All sorts of flooring are common today. These range from engineered wood, hardwood, laminate, bamboo, cork, and linoleum floors. Others include carpet, ceramic tiles, vinyl, stone, and polished concrete floors.
Of particular interest to us is the hardwood floor.
Hardwood Floor Demolition Cost
Hardwood floors last a lifetime (about 100 years). After this time, such floors may need to be demolished. It’s about the cost of removal that we’re going to discuss.
If you have this type, one thing you’ll be interested in is the cost of having a floor removed.
We’re here to help!
Multiple Wood Types are Involved
Hardwood encompasses multiple wood types which are categorized as hardwood. These include Maple, Hickory, Pine, and White Ash. Others include Bamboo, Brazilian Walnut, Red Oak, and White Oak.
This means that hardwood flooring could consist of any of these.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of hardwood types. Those mentioned will suffice as the focus isn’t on hardwood types but removal costs. So, why is this piece of information important?
It is because removal costs are likely to be charged based on the specific type of hardwood.
Hard Floor Replacement Vs Removal Costs
When it comes to figuring out applicable costs for hardwood removal jobs, a clear understanding of what’s involved is necessary. Here, the unique need of the homeowner is taken into account.
Such a homeowner may seek to have hardwood floors replaced.
In other cases, the only removal is required without the option of replacement. You’ll need to decide which best fits your situation. To help you decide, let’s consider both of these scenarios regarding how each of them impacts removal costs.
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Hardwood Floor Replacement Costs
Hardwood floor replacement is two-pronged.
In other words, you’ll have to first remove the old hardwood flooring before replacing or installing the new. This action will cost more to perform compared to removal-only procedures.
It’s easy to see why; the old will need to make way for the new.
So, you’ll be looking at removal and cleanup costs asides from hardwood installation. Labor is a critical component of replacement costs. The number of hours clocked will determine how much cost is incurred.
Most removal contractors have fixed hourly rates for such jobs.
Speaking of costs, let’s find out what’s involved. You’ll spend anywhere from $1 to $13 per square foot to simply remove old hardwood floors. Per square footage cost estimation model is also used for hardwood installation.
New installation should cost around $6 to $12 per square foot.
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Cost To Remove Hardwood Floors
As seen from our discussions so far, it’s evident that hardwood removal is included in replacement costs. In other words, hardwood floor replacement encompasses removal.
With this understanding, figuring out removal costs isn’t difficult at all.
Demolition contractors will charge a fee ranging from $1 to $13. The particular cost incurred will be determined by the situation on the ground.
Jobs vary in terms of size, type of hardwood, who gets the job done, and several other factors. We’ll need to consider the factors involved to help with a better understanding.
Factors Affecting Hardwood Floor Removal Costs
The cost of removing a hardwood floor is dependent on multiple factors. These include the type of hardwood, who gets hired, size of the job, DIY Vs a Pro, and the city you live in.
The condition of hardwood is also an important cost determinant.
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Type of Hardwood Floor
We mentioned earlier that hardwood flooring is simply a compound word that includes specific types of hardwood. Some of these include Alder flooring, Brazilian Tigerwood flooring, Pine, Mahogany, Teak, Birch, Ash, Douglas Fir, Maple, Hickory, and Oak.
Other Hardwood varieties include Cherry, Walnut, Ebony, Beech, Acacia, Poplar, Cork, Bamboo, Eucalyptus, and Cypress. There are also Cedar and Pecan hardwood floorings among others.
Removal costs may vary depending on the type. You’ll need to find out cost details from quotes obtained from demo contractors.
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Who Gets Hired
It’s common knowledge that different demolition contractors have their unique pricing structures. The parameters used for cost estimation may differ from one contractor to the next.
To have an idea of costs, you’ll need to obtain price multiple price quotes.
Quotes for hardwood removal will always differ from one contractor to the next. In most cases, this won’t cost you anything to obtain.
Based on the differences in cost between multiple quotes, you’re able to choose one that best fits your budget.
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Size of the Job
Job size is a major cost determinant when it comes to hardwood floor removal. With a more square footage of space to be covered come additional costs. As expected, the cost will be much less for smaller job sizes.
You’ll have to figure out how much space is covered by hardwood flooring. With this obtained, the cost per square foot is multiplied by it (the hardwood floor space).
Although bigger jobs normally cost more, discounts may be offered by the contractor.
If you have difficulty calculating your floor space, you might want to seek expert help. This will require a qualified demo technician or contractor to come around for an onsite assessment and cost estimation.
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DIY Vs Professional Removal
For a lot of homeowners, DIY hardwood floor removal seems the easiest way to cut down on costs.
While this may be true, it isn’t always the case. A hardwood floor removal job performed shabbily might end up attracting more cost than it would have when things go wrong.
Professional hardwood floor removal might cost more, but it’s a more reliable way to get the job done.
In a nutshell, you shouldn’t be too concerned about limiting costs that you forget about getting the job done the right way. It’s better to spend more to get a hardwood floor demoed the right way.
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Where You Live
Your location is likely to affect the hardwood floor removal cost incurred. The easiest way to find out is by considering the cost of living within such a city or location.
Cities with a higher cost of living are likely to attract higher charges than those with lower living costs.
All of the above applies to hardwood floor removal costs. You’ll have to consider your unique needs as a homeowner. Such needs are measured against the cost-influencing factors mentioned above.
Also, your exact costs will be determined by an assessment of your specific job condition.