How much does it cost to remove old vinyl flooring and install tile in an Ottawa kitchen?

For an average Ottawa kitchen of 120 to 180 square feet, expect to pay $2,500 to $5,500 total to remove old vinyl flooring and install new tile, including demolition, subfloor preparation, materials, and labour. The range depends heavily on the type of vinyl you are removing, the condition of the subfloor underneath, and the tile you choose.

Vinyl removal is the first variable. Sheet vinyl glued directly to the subfloor is the most labour-intensive to remove — the adhesive often bonds aggressively to plywood, and scraping it off is slow, dusty work that typically costs $3 to $6 per square foot in Ottawa. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles come up more easily but often leave adhesive residue that must be dealt with. Floating vinyl plank (LVP) is the easiest — it lifts right up with minimal subfloor impact. One important caution: if your Ottawa home was built before 1980, the vinyl or its adhesive may contain asbestos. Do not disturb it until you have had it tested — asbestos abatement is a specialized process that adds significant cost but is absolutely non-negotiable for your family's safety.

Once the vinyl is up, your installer needs to assess the subfloor. Vinyl is forgiving of minor subfloor imperfections — tile is not. Expect the subfloor to need some levelling work, and in many Ottawa kitchens with older plywood subfloors, an uncoupling membrane like Schluter Ditra is strongly recommended to handle the seasonal wood movement caused by Ottawa's extreme humidity range between winter and summer. Subfloor preparation typically adds $2 to $6 per square foot depending on condition.

For the tile itself, a durable porcelain floor tile suitable for a kitchen runs $3 to $12 per square foot for materials, with installation adding $7 to $15 per square foot. Porcelain is the best choice for Ottawa kitchens — it handles spills, dropped items, and heavy foot traffic far better than ceramic. Wood-look porcelain planks have become enormously popular in Ottawa kitchen renovations because they give you the warmth and character of hardwood with the durability and water resistance of tile — important in a room with a dishwasher, sink, and the constant risk of spills.

Here is a rough breakdown for a 150-square-foot Ottawa kitchen using mid-range porcelain tile:

• Vinyl removal and disposal: $450 to $900
• Subfloor prep and levelling: $300 to $900
• Uncoupling membrane: $375 to $600
• Tile materials (mid-range porcelain): $750 to $1,350
• Tile installation labour: $1,050 to $2,250
• Total: $2,925 to $6,000

Timeline is typically three to five days for a kitchen this size — one day for demolition, one day for subfloor prep, and two to three days for tile installation and grouting. If you are ready to move forward, you can browse experienced tile contractors through the Ottawa Construction Network directory to get quotes from local installers who know Ottawa kitchens inside and out.

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

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• RenoMotion Inc.
• M.O.T. CONSTRUCTION INC.
• Elie The Carpet Guy Inc.
• Geerts Roofing Inc

View all contractors →