Tile removal is priced on three variables and nothing else: what the tile is set into, how much of
it there is, and how the debris gets out of the building. Get those three right and the quotes you
receive will make sense. This guide covers the ranges we see across the five boroughs and Long Island,
and where the money actually goes.
Cost by setting method
- Tile over thinset on plywood or cement board: $2.50–$5.00 per square foot.
- Tile set in a mortar (mud) bed over wire lath: $5.00–$9.00 per square foot.
- Tile, bed and subfloor together: $6.50–$11.00 per square foot.
- Mud-set shower pan, curb or stair tread: $250–$900 each.
Cost by room
- Bathroom floor only: $350–$950.
- Tub surround or shower walls: $500–$1,600.
- Full bathroom strip-out (fixtures, wall and floor tile): $1,200–$3,400.
- Kitchen floor, 150–300 sf: $700–$2,400.
- Whole first floor, 500–800 sf: $2,000–$6,500.
Why tile is priced differently from other debris
Weight. Tile over thinset runs 5 to 8 pounds per square foot as debris; tile from a mortar bed runs
18 to 25. A 500 sf mud-bed floor is four to six tons — and construction debris is billed by the ton at
a transfer station, which is why a tile truck looks half empty when it leaves. It is also why a
renovation quantity of tile can never go out with household collection, in the city or in Nassau. See
construction debris removal.
How to identify what you have in two minutes
Look at the tile edge at a doorway or a cut-out. Total thickness under about half an inch means
thinset; over an inch, usually with wire mesh visible, means a mortar bed. A tiled floor sitting
noticeably higher than the room next to it is a mud bed almost every time. Tap it, too — a bed sounds
solid, thinset over plywood sounds slightly hollow.
Buildings, walk-ups and access
In a walk-up or an elevator building, debris leaves in buckets, and that is a real line item: figure
$150–$400 per flight above the ground floor, plus protection of the path out and any certificate of
insurance the building requires. Ground-floor and driveway-access jobs price at the bottom of every
range above.
When testing comes before demolition
9x9-inch resilient tile, or black tar-like mastic under any tile, is presumed to contain asbestos
until a lab says otherwise. It gets sampled first. A positive result means a licensed abatement
contractor removes the material under containment and issues clearance documentation — then we handle
the remaining demolition and the haul-away. Ceramic tile itself is not the concern; the layer beneath
it can be.
Junk & Demo Team handles tile removal as a standalone job or inside
bathroom demolition,
kitchen demolition and
interior demolition scopes across all five boroughs and Nassau.
Call (718) 587-0156, or see pricing and our
guides. Attic in the same project? Read
attic insulation removal cost.
Backsplash and floor tile usually come out during a full kitchen demolition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove tile from a bathroom?
Most bathroom floors land between $350 and $950, and a full strip-out including wall tile and fixtures between $1,200 and $3,400. A mortar-bed floor sits at the top of those ranges; thinset over backer board at the bottom.
Is it cheaper to tile over existing tile?
Installation is cheaper, but it raises the floor, affects door clearances and transitions, and hides the condition of the substrate. In a bathroom being gutted anyway, removal is normally the better decision.
How much does tile debris weigh?
Roughly 5 to 8 pounds per square foot over thinset, and 18 to 25 pounds per square foot from a mortar bed. Disposal is billed by weight, so the setting method drives the disposal line more than the area does.
Can I put broken tile at the curb?
No. It is construction debris, not household waste, in the city and on Long Island alike. It has to go to a transfer station on a weigh ticket.
Do you remove the subfloor as well?
If the scope calls for it — for example when the new build-up needs the height, or the plywood is water damaged. It is a separate rate because it adds both labour and disposal weight.