Tile removal cost per square foot
| Type of removal | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic or porcelain tile | $2–$7 | Floors, walls, showers and backsplashes cost about the same per sq ft |
| Dust-free (dustless) removal | $3.50–$7 | Machines with vacuum attachments; much less dust; priced by Angi only |
| Tile that contains asbestos | $5–$20 | Abatement by a licensed crew; test old tile first |
HomeGuide and Angi both give $2 to $7 per square foot. HomeGuide puts the national average at $800, from $40 to $2,500, and Angi at $560, typically $320 to $1,120. HomeGuide shows floors, showers, walls and backsplashes in a location table whose totals work out to about $2 to $7 per square foot in every case, so the calculator does not price walls and floors separately, and neither guide prices removal by what the tile sits on. HomeGuide's byline is from October 2023, older than the other sources in this wave. Forbes Home puts the average at $800 for a room of 100 to 300 sq ft, and $2 to $6 per square foot, with 120 sq ft at $480 and 300 sq ft at $1,200, in line with the table above.
Cost by area
| Tile area | Ceramic or porcelain | Dust-free | With asbestos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 sq ft | $40–$140 | $70–$140 | $100–$400 |
| 50 sq ft | $100–$350 | $180–$350 | $250–$1,000 |
| 100 sq ft | $200–$700 | $350–$700 | $500–$2,000 |
| 200 sq ft | $400–$1,400 | $700–$1,400 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| 350 sq ft | $700–$2,450 | $1,230–$2,450 | $1,750–$7,000 |
| 500 sq ft | $1,000–$3,500 | $1,750–$3,500 | $2,500–$10,000 |
Many pros set a minimum charge, so a very small job costs more per square foot than the table shows. HomeGuide suggests testing for asbestos in homes built from roughly the 1920s to the 1980s.
What changes the price
- Type of tile. Ceramic and porcelain come up more easily than stone or mosaic.
- How it was set. Tile on a thick mortar bed takes longer than tile on thin-set. Neither guide gives a price for this.
- Access. A small shower is slower to work in than an open floor.
- Dust control. Dust-free machines cost more per square foot.
- Asbestos. Tile that contains it needs licensed abatement.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing the subfloor | $2.20–$4.75 per sq ft | Damaged or rotted wood under the tile |
| Hauling away the debris | $150–$800 | When it is not in the quote |
| Permit | $50–$500 | Where one is required |
Removal is the first half of a tile job: see tile installation cost, backsplash installation cost and shower installation cost. Other floor work is priced on carpet removal cost, flooring installation cost and vinyl plank flooring installation cost. Related jobs: asbestos removal cost, junk removal cost and bathroom remodel cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price per square foot, and is there a minimum charge?
- Is hauling away the debris in the price?
- How will you control dust, and what do you do to protect the rest of the house?
- What happens if the subfloor is damaged or the tile contains asbestos?
- Will the surface be ready for new flooring, or does it need leveling?
Methodology and sources
We price each type of removal from published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Forbes Home is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: tile removal cost — price per square foot, by location, extras
- Angi: cost to remove a tile floor — national average, price by area, extras
- Forbes Home: cost to remove tile flooring — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2061, Construction Laborers) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
|
| Angi |
|
Common questions about tile removal costs
How much does tile removal cost?
A typical job (100 sq ft, ceramic or porcelain) comes to about $450 nationally, within a range of $200 to $700. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
What is the tile removal cost per square foot?
About $2–$7 for ceramic or porcelain tile. HomeGuide and Angi both give $2 to $7.
How much does it cost to remove tile from a 100 sq ft floor?
About $200–$700. HomeGuide and Angi both put 100 sq ft at $200 to $700.
How much does it cost to remove tile from a bathroom floor?
A 50 sq ft bathroom floor costs about $100–$350. HomeGuide puts a bathroom floor of 40 to 160 sq ft at $80 to $1,100.
How much does it cost to remove tile from a shower?
A 60 sq ft shower costs about $120–$420, because walls and showers cost about the same per sq ft as floors. HomeGuide puts a shower of 42 to 120 sq ft at $80 to $840.
How much does dust-free tile removal cost?
About $3.50–$7 per sq ft, according to Angi.
How much does it cost to remove tile that has asbestos?
About $5–$20 per sq ft, according to HomeGuide and Angi. Have old tile tested before it is broken.
Is disposal included in the price?
Often, but not always. Hauling away debris costs about $150–$800; HomeGuide puts junk removal at $150 to $350 per load and Angi puts a dumpster at $200 to $800.
How much does it cost to repair the subfloor after tile removal?
About $2.20–$4.75 per sq ft, according to HomeGuide.
How much of the cost is labor?
Nearly all of it. HomeGuide says most or all of the cost is labor because removers bring their own tools, and the calculator uses 90%.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 2 published cost pages from 2 publishers, last checked Oct 10, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 2 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.