Quick Answer
Yes. Almost every flooring company removes and disposes of the old floor, either bundled into the install quote or billed as a separate line. Pricing in 2026 typically runs 1 to 4 USD per square foot for carpet, 2 to 5 USD per square foot for laminate or floating LVP, 3 to 7 USD per square foot for glued vinyl or tile, and 5 to 12 USD per square foot for thinset ceramic on a concrete slab.
If the existing floor contains asbestos (common in vinyl made before 1985), removal becomes a hazardous-material job and the price jumps to 8 to 25 USD per square foot, performed by an EPA-certified abatement firm under the 2024 chrysotile rule.
Typical Removal Pricing
- Carpet and pad: 1 to 3 USD per square foot.
- Click laminate or floating LVP: 1.50 to 4 USD per square foot.
- Glue-down vinyl plank: 3 to 7 USD per square foot.
- Sheet vinyl or linoleum: 2 to 5 USD per square foot.
- Nailed solid hardwood: 2 to 5 USD per square foot.
- Glued engineered hardwood: 4 to 8 USD per square foot.
- Ceramic or porcelain tile on slab: 5 to 12 USD per square foot.
- Asbestos vinyl (pre-1985): 8 to 25 USD per square foot, abatement crew.
What Removal Includes
- Pulling baseboards or quarter round
- Pulling the toilet (extra 75 to 200 USD per fixture)
- Cutting, prying, and bagging the old material
- Hauling debris to a transfer station or dumpster
- Sweeping and vacuuming the subfloor for the new install
How to Save Money
Pull the carpet yourself the weekend before install (it really is easy: cut into 3 foot strips, roll, tape, drag to the curb). That alone saves 200 to 600 USD on a typical room. Do not try to remove glued vinyl or tile yourself unless you own a power scraper; the labour saving usually does not justify the back pain or the missed subfloor flatness tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the answer change for tenants vs owners?
Yes. Tenants almost never see the same financing, removal, or warranty terms an owner gets. Most retailers will only sell to whoever is on title or has written landlord permission.
Is the price quoted in pounds the same in dollars?
No. UK and US flooring markets price differently: the UK quotes per square metre with VAT, the US quotes per square foot pre-tax. Multiply UK per metre by roughly 0.093 to compare per square foot.
Will the answer change in five years?
Probably. Tax thresholds, retailer line-ups, and warranty terms shift every year. Always confirm with the source before signing a contract.
Does the same apply for commercial buildings?
Mostly no. Commercial flooring carries different fire ratings, slip ratings, and depreciation treatment than residential. Anything you read here assumes a typical owner-occupied home unless stated otherwise.
Pro Tips
- Get the quote in writing. Verbal estimates from any retailer or contractor are worth nothing when disputes happen.
- Keep your receipts and lot numbers for at least the length of the warranty. Most claims are denied because the buyer cannot prove what was bought.
- Read the financing small print. Most "interest free" offers carry deferred interest, which means full retroactive interest if you miss the payoff date by one day.
- Ask about disposal fees up front. Removal of the old floor can add 1 to 3 dollars per square foot if not bundled.
Bottom Line
The right answer here depends on your home, your budget, and your local market. Use the numbers as a starting point, get at least two written quotes, and never sign on a contractor's clipboard at the door without 24 hours to read the contract.
Do Flooring Companies Remove Old Flooring Containing Asbestos?
Do flooring companies remove old asbestos-containing vinyl? Most regular flooring crews will not, and legally should not under the EPA 2024 chrysotile rule. You need an EPA-certified asbestos abatement contractor who seals the room, runs negative-pressure HEPA filtration, and disposes of the material as hazardous waste. Expect 8 to 25 USD per square foot, scheduled separately from the new install.
How to Tell If Your Old Vinyl Has Asbestos
Vinyl sheet flooring and 9x9 inch vinyl tiles installed before 1985 commonly contain chrysotile asbestos. Newer products do not. If you are unsure, pay an accredited testing lab 40 to 75 USD for a sample analysis before any demo work begins. Never break, sand, or grind suspect floors.
How to Compare Quotes Without Getting Burned
Get at least three written quotes broken out line by line: material per square foot, labour per square foot, removal of old floor, subfloor prep, baseboard handling, toilet pull, disposal fees, and warranty terms. A "total job" number from a single contractor tells you nothing about where the money is going, and you cannot compare it to anyone else.
Walk every quote against the others using the same measurements. Use the contractor's own square footage, not a guess, because room squareness varies. If one contractor's square footage is 15 percent higher than the others, ask why before signing.
Questions Most Homeowners Forget to Ask
Who is on the crew?
The salesperson rarely lays the floor. Ask for the lead installer's name and years of experience.
Is the install warranty written and transferable?
Most chain installers give a one-year labour warranty; specialist independents often give five.
What happens if my baseboards crack during pull?
Get the replacement policy in the contract, not in conversation.
How is moisture in the subfloor tested?
Concrete should be tested with a calcium chloride or relative humidity probe, not eyeballed.
What is the lead time on the planks I picked?
Special-order colours often run 4 to 8 weeks.
