How much does it cost to remove old tile and install new in a Calgary kitchen?

Removing old tile and installing new tile in a Calgary kitchen typically costs between $3,500 and $8,000 for a standard 150-200 square foot kitchen floor, with the removal of existing tile being the most labour-intensive and costly part of the demolition process. Old tile removal is significantly more expensive than removing other flooring types because tile is bonded to the subfloor with thinset mortar and often takes the underlayment with it.

Old tile removal in Calgary runs $2-$4 per square foot — roughly double the cost of removing carpet or vinyl. The wide range depends on how the tile was originally installed. Tile set directly on a cement backer board is relatively straightforward to remove — the backer board and tile come up together. Tile set directly into a mud bed or bonded to the concrete slab with thinset is far more difficult and labour-intensive, often requiring a power chisel or SDS hammer drill with a scraper bit. For a 175-square-foot Calgary kitchen, removal costs run $350-$700. If the existing tile contains asbestos (common in pre-1980s Calgary homes with 9x9-inch vinyl tiles or black mastic adhesive), you must have a professional asbestos abatement contractor handle the removal, which can add $1,500-$3,000 or more depending on the extent.

Subfloor repair and preparation after tile removal is almost always necessary and runs $2-$6 per square foot. When old tile comes up, it rarely leaves a clean, flat surface behind. The subfloor typically needs patching, levelling with self-levelling compound, and possibly a new layer of cement backer board. In a Calgary kitchen where the subfloor is plywood, this means installing 1/4-inch cement backer board over the plywood before the new tile goes down. For a 175-sqft kitchen, subfloor preparation runs $350-$1,050.

New tile installation in a Calgary kitchen runs $10-$20 per square foot installed for porcelain (the most popular kitchen tile choice), including mid-range material, thinset, grout, and professional labour. At the mid-range — a quality 12x24 or wood-look porcelain — you are looking at about $14/sqft installed = $2,450 for a 175-sqft kitchen. Premium large-format, natural stone, or designer tile pushes to $18-$25/sqft installed = $3,150-$4,375.

Trim, transitions, and finishing add another $300-$600 for a typical kitchen, covering toe-kick trim under cabinets, transition strips at doorways to adjacent rooms, and any threshold pieces. Furniture and appliance moving — if the installer needs to disconnect and move the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher — typically adds $200-$400. Some installers include this in their quote; others charge it separately.

Here is a complete cost summary for a 175-square-foot Calgary kitchen, mid-range porcelain tile:

Old tile removal: $350-$700. Subfloor repair and levelling: $350-$1,050. New porcelain tile installed: $2,100-$3,150. Trim and transitions: $300-$600. Appliance moving: $200-$400. Disposal fees: $100-$200. Total: $3,400-$6,100.

For premium materials, add 30-50% to the tile installation line item. Timeline: 3-5 days for a complete tear-out and re-tile of a Calgary kitchen, including one day for demolition and subfloor prep, one day for backer board and levelling, one to two days for tile installation, and one day for grouting and trim.

Get matched with a flooring professional for a free estimate through Calgary Floor Installers — comparing two or three quotes ensures you get fair pricing for your specific kitchen layout and conditions.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Calgary Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Bracha Concrete & Coatings Inc.
• Mike’s Restoration Service
• Ardco Construction
• Makki Abatement
• Alpine Exteriors siding and roofing