Floor Demolition & Prep
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Old Floor Removal and Subfloor Prep, Done Right the First Time
Tear-out, haul-away, and subfloor leveling - the prep work that makes every new floor in the Greater Columbus Area look (and stay) perfectly flat.
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Floor demolition and subfloor prep in the Greater Columbus Area
A new floor is only ever as good as what's underneath it. Burke Flooring handles every step before a new [flooring installation](/flooring-installation): tearing out the old floor, hauling it away, controlling dust, testing moisture, and leveling the subfloor - so the new floor lays flat, locks tight, and stays quiet years down the road.
We remove every kind of existing flooring - old tile, nailed-down hardwood, floating laminate, sheet vinyl, and bonded carpet - and we show up with the right gear (chipping hammers, ride-on scrapers, HEPA vacuums, self-leveler) so the job is left photo-ready for the crew that follows.
What's included in our demo and prep service
We work to a fixed scope so nothing gets renegotiated mid-project. Every demo and prep job includes the same baseline checklist.
- Full removal of existing flooring (tile, hardwood, vinyl, carpet, laminate)
- Plastic sheeting and HEPA vacuum dust control
- Old material haul-away and disposal
- Subfloor inspection for rot, mold, and structural issues
- Moisture testing with calibrated meters
- Self-leveling compound to flatten high and low spots
- Final sweep so the new-floor crew can start immediately
Special Financing Available*
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See design consultant for details.
Learn moreWhy dust control matters more than people think
Old thinset, tile, and hardwood adhesives can contain silica, glue residue, and, in homes built before 1990, sometimes asbestos. We seal off work areas with plastic, run HEPA-filtered air scrubbers, and wear PPE - standard practice on commercial demo, but rare on a residential job. The result is a project you can live next to without scrubbing dust out of your kitchen for weeks afterward.
Subfloor leveling - the step most installers skip
A subfloor out of level by more than 1/8" over 6 feet will cause LVP and laminate joints to fail within months. We level every job to manufacturer-required tolerances with self-leveling underlayment and patch any soft spots before we call the floor ready. It's the difference between a floor that lasts and one that gets pulled up again in three years. Ready for the new floor on top? [Get a free estimate](/free-estimate) for the full project.
Demolition and prep pricing in the Greater Columbus Area
Pricing per square foot, materials and labor included. Most jobs are quoted as a flat price after an in-home walk-through.
| Option | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet / laminate / floating floor removal | $1.25 - $2.00 / sq ft | Includes haul-away |
| Glue-down vinyl removal | $2.00 - $3.50 / sq ft | More labor-intensive |
| Tile + thinset removal (over wood subfloor) | $3.00 - $5.00 / sq ft | Heavy chipping required |
| Tile + thinset removal (over concrete slab) | $3.50 - $6.50 / sq ft | Ride-on scraper used |
| Self-leveling underlayment | $2.50 - $4.50 / sq ft | Only where needed |
Asbestos-containing flooring (pre-1990 homes) requires testing and licensed abatement, which we coordinate but don't perform in-house.
Floor Demolition & Prep - frequently asked questions
Yes - haul-away and disposal is included in the demo price. You won't see a single piece of your old floor left at the curb.
We use HEPA-filtered air scrubbers, plastic sheeting, and ground-source vacuums on our chipping tools. Compared to a typical contractor demo, you'll see roughly 90% less dust in the surrounding rooms.
We check during the estimate. If your subfloor is within manufacturer tolerance (typically 1/8" over 6 feet), no leveling is needed. If it's not, we quote the leveling separately so you see the exact extra cost up front.
Flooring and mastic from before 1990 can sometimes contain asbestos. We pause the job, send a sample out for testing, and bring in a licensed abatement contractor if it comes back positive - then resume prep once the area is cleared. Questions before you commit? [Get a free estimate](/free-estimate).
Explore related flooring options
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The Burke Flooring Experience™
Schedule a consultation
Book a time that works for you - we'll bring samples to your home.
Expert advice & free quote
We measure, recommend, and deliver a no-obligation quote on the spot.
Professional installation
Full-service install from prep to cleanup - we handle every detail.
Follow-up & support
We check in after install and stand by your floors for life.
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See what we offer →What we stand for
Our core values
Premium quality We take pride in delivering top-tier quality. Every detail matters, and we don't settle for anything less than exceptional.
No pressure sales We believe in honest advice-not pushy sales. Our goal is to help you make the right choice, at your pace.
Service that cares You're the reason we do what we do. That's why we're committed to providing reliable, personal, and outstanding service from start to finish.
Interior solutions Need help bringing your vision to life? Our team is ready to guide you in designing a space that truly feels like home.
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Right around the corner
Devoted to serving families in the Greater Columbus Area
We support our beloved the Greater Columbus Area friends and neighbors by installing and repairing long-lasting floors. Our goal is to develop a true partnership with you, which means we're happy to help you with any job – no matter how big or small.
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At Burke Flooring, we're known for having the best installation services alongside reliable customer service, that leaves you supported and cared for. People are what matter the most to us – both our employees and customers. We're looking to build life-long partnerships with you.
We are obsessed with customer service – because we know it's our number one differentiator from other flooring installers. We serve this area with complete focus on making it as easy as possible for you and keeping you posted on every element of your project throughout the process.
We love helping homeowners with flooring, furniture moving, and other home interior work. This specialization ensures the strongest level of expertise for any work we do – and helps you get the best deal for the price possible.
We do offer financing solutions and can work with you on different options. With financing, we offer a relatively straightforward process which allows homeowners support to complete a needed project even when you may not have cash on hand.
If you notice any damage to your flooring, promptly document the issue and contact us right away. Our team will assess the situation and ensure your floor is restored to its original, flawless condition!
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