There are three methods
for removing ceramic tile. One can choose to do
it themselves, hire day labor, or
hire a company
that specializes in such. When considering our
experiences and costs, option #3 is the most
reasonable. Why?
Do It Yourself
I don't know about you,
but as an installer, I had better things to do
than
unskilled dirty jobs. Sure I got paid for
it, but it took away from the the actual
installation work I preferred to do. Let's take
an example of working alone and renting a demo
hammer from Home Depot. As a ballpark
guesstimate, the time spent removing tile and
thin set averages 20-25 square feet per hour on
a concrete subfloor.
Removal time does not
include disposal from the premises. The garbage
guys won't take it away for you, so another cost
is incurred by hiring a construction removal
company, unless you have a friend and pickup.
This stuff will get heavy and landfill dumping
costs are based on weight.
Other considerations with
these demo hammers include the weight. I can't
image someone 120 pounds for example, who works
in an office five days a week doing this kind of
work. Not only is it hard on the body, but the
noise as well. If you're determined to do so,
use eye protection, long pants, long sleeved
shirts, gloves, ear plugs, and whatever else
that may protect from flying chipped tile.
Employ Some Day Labor
Removing The Tile
We tried this technique
several times before some companies that
specialize moved in. Day labor is a great
resource in that you don't have to be concerned
with insurance and scheduling the guys. Costs
will vary depending on your area, but the last
time we used day labor (June 2007) the going
rate was $ 12.50 per hour. To hire some help,
simply pay a visit to an office nearby, tell
them what you want done and ask that you prefer
some guys that may do a good job for you.
Ask them what? Yea, I
know, it can be a crapshoot in who may show up
at your door. I had a slight advantage because
years ago I worked in day labor for a few
months. I'd always tell the boss in the
office..."I know how these places operate, and I
don't need any slackers, drunks, or guys that
can't handle the work." I got lucky most of the
time and treated the guys well. It did pay off
in production, opposed to being a slave driver.
Local labor pools only
provide the labor and other small necessities
for their workers. If you plan on using this
method, they do not provide the tools needed.
Demolition hammers can be rented on a daily
basis from nearly all the big box stores these
days.
Hire A Tile Removal
Company
No mess, no fuss. We got
together with Advanced Flooring Removal of
Naples, Florida to see how specialty
machines actually work and if they're cracked up
like they advertise. The situation was a private
residence that had just been sold. New owners
wanted tile ripped out to install hardwood
flooring. The job consisted of 575 square feet.
Guess how long it took? From pulling up to the
curb, busting up tile and thin set, removal and
locking the doors...four hours!
Compare that to our labor
pool guys and an example of hand removal
averaging 20 square feet per hour, it would have
taken four guys one eight hour day to do the
same job. Probably more because sometimes you
may get a guy that's only worth 25%
Costs? Advanced Flooring
Removal charges $ 2.50 per square foot. The
company is available for large commercial jobs
all over the Southeast USA but handles mostly
residential and commercial work in Southwest
Florida. They'll handle hardwood flooring glue
down removal for the same cost with bamboo
being higher due to the difficulty in removing
if it's is glued. The beauty of this battery
powered machine is that it is extremely quiet
and scoops up the hardest part of removal, thin
set, like spooning peanut butter off a floor.
Some Preparation Notes
Before Tearing Out Tile. Dust!
Foremost is the mess it
creates. Dust will get everywhere! Inside
kitchen cabinets on drapery, furniture. It will
even find it's way under doors leading to other
areas that aren't on the demo schedule. Folks
plan ahead of
time. Covering everything in sight with thin
painters sheathing (1mm) if some items are to
remain in the areas.
For example, a piano is
too large or heavy to move out of the work area.
Wrap that baby up in sheathing and tape the
seams. Light fixtures are another source of dust
collection. You may not notice it right away but
down the road you may wonder why you're sneezing
all the time. Stuff some towels under doors,
tape the door casings with blue painters tape.
Kitchen cabinets; tape those off too. Dust will
find it's way inside.
Going Through A Retail
Store
With the above scenario, a
local retail store would probably charge four to
five dollars a square foot. They won't be doing
the work, but hiring the actual installer that
will be doing the wood floors for the work. They
may pay the installer two to three dollars a
square foot and keep the rest. |
