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 Seattle Area look (and stay) perfectly flat.
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Demolition and subfloor prep across the Greater Seattle Area
A new floor is only as good as the subfloor underneath it. Elite Northwest Flooring handles every step before installation, old floor demolition, haul-away, dust control, moisture testing and subfloor leveling, so the new floor lays flat, locks tight, and doesn't squeak two winters from now.
We remove every flooring type: glue-down tile, nailed hardwood, floating laminate, sheet vinyl and bonded carpet. We show up with the right gear, chipping hammers, ride-on scrapers, HEPA vacuums and self-leveler, and leave the space ready for the install crew that follows.
What's included in demo and prep
We work to a fixed scope so there's no negotiating mid-project. Every demo and prep job includes the same baseline checklist.
- Full removal of existing flooring, tile, hardwood, vinyl, carpet or 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 install crew can start immediately
Special Financing Available*
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See flooring specialist for details.
Explore financing optionsWhy dust control isn't optional
Old thinset, tile and hardwood adhesive can contain silica, glue residue, and occasionally asbestos in homes built before 1990. We seal work areas with plastic, run HEPA air scrubbers, and wear PPE, standard practice on commercial jobs but rare on residential ones. That means you're not scrubbing dust out of the kitchen for weeks afterward.
Subfloor leveling, the step a lot of installers skip
A subfloor that's out of level by more than 1/8 inch over 6 feet will make luxury vinyl plank and laminate joints fail within months, and tile over an uneven slab will crack. We level every job to manufacturer tolerance with self-leveling underlayment and patch soft spots before calling it ready. That's the difference between a floor that lasts and one that's pulled up again in three years.
Demolition and prep pricing in the Greater Seattle Area
Priced per square foot, materials and labor included. Most jobs are quoted as a flat price after a free 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, common in 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 built into the demo price. You won't see old tile or carpet piled at the curb.
We run HEPA air scrubbers, plastic sheeting and ground-source vacuums on our chipping tools, cutting dust in adjacent rooms by roughly 90% compared to a typical contractor demo.
We check during your free estimate. If the subfloor is within manufacturer tolerance, usually 1/8 inch over 6 feet, no leveling is needed. If it's not, we quote it separately so you see the exact added cost before we install.
Vinyl tile and mastic from before 1990 can sometimes contain asbestos. We pause the job, send a sample for testing, and bring in a licensed abatement contractor if it comes back positive, then resume prep once the area is cleared.
Explore related flooring options
How to get new floors in your place
The Elite Northwest Flooring Experience™
Schedule a free in-home estimate
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.
Reviews
the Greater Seattle Area trusts Elite Northwest Flooring for all their flooring needs.
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Services
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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 Seattle Area
We support our beloved the Greater Seattle Area friends and neighbors by installing and refinishing 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.
- Mukilteo, WA
- Everett, WA
- Mill Creek, WA
- Lynnwood, WA
- Marysville, WA
- Edmonds, WA
- Snohomish, WA
- Lake Stevens, WA
- Shoreline, WA
- Bothell, WA
- Woodinville, WA
- Kirkland, WA
- Redmond, WA
- Seattle, WA
- Bellevue, WA
At Elite Northwest 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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Vitaliy Bagniy | CEO
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