Key Takeaways
| Removal Type | Cost per Sq Ft | 300 Sq Ft Room | 900 Sq Ft House |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tack-stripped over wood | $0.50–$0.75 | $150–$225 | $450–$675 |
| Tack-stripped over concrete | $0.60–$0.90 | $180–$270 | $540–$810 |
| Glued to concrete | $1.00–$1.50 | $300–$450 | $900–$1,350 |
| Glued to wood | $0.80–$1.25 | $240–$375 | $720–$1,125 |
Add-ons: Disposal fees ($50–$200 per load), furniture moving ($100–$500), baseboard removal ($2–$4/linear ft), subfloor cleaning ($0.50–$2/sq ft), asbestos testing ($200–$500).
How Carpet Removal Pricing Works
Carpet removal costs $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot depending on how the carpet is secured and what’s underneath. Tack-stripped carpet over plywood pulls up in minutes—expect the low end. Glued carpet over concrete takes hours—expect the high end.
The installer pulls up the carpet, removes padding, pulls out tack strips or scrapes off adhesive, and hauls everything away. Some installers include disposal in the base rate. Others charge separately.
Furniture moving isn’t always included. If the room is furnished, the installer shifts furniture to access the carpet. This costs $100 to $500 depending on room count and furniture volume.
Removal is billed separately from installation unless you’re doing a full replacement. If you’re removing old carpet and installing new carpet, most installers bundle removal into an all-in price.
For bundled replacement pricing, see our carpet replacement service page.
Tack-Stripped Carpet Removal Costs
Tack-stripped carpet is the easiest to remove. The carpet is stretched over padding and held in place by tack strips nailed along the perimeter. Pulling it up takes minutes.
Removal costs $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot over wood subfloors. For a 300-square-foot room, expect $150 to $225. For a 900-square-foot house, expect $450 to $675.
Removal costs $0.60 to $0.90 per square foot over concrete subfloors. Pulling tack strips from concrete takes longer because they’re glued or shot with powder-actuated nails. For a 300-square-foot room, expect $180 to $270.
Padding removal is included in the base rate. Padding tears easily and comes up in minutes. Installers roll it up and haul it out with the carpet.
Tack strip removal is usually included. Some installers leave old tack strips in place if they’re in good condition and plan to install new carpet. Others pull them out regardless.
Glued Carpet Removal Costs
Glued carpet is harder to remove. The carpet is adhered directly to the subfloor with carpet adhesive. Removing it requires scraping, solvents, or grinding.
Removal costs $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot over concrete. For a 300-square-foot room, expect $300 to $450. For a 900-square-foot house, expect $900 to $1,350.
Removal costs $0.80 to $1.25 per square foot over wood subfloors. Wood is softer than concrete, so scraping is easier. For a 300-square-foot room, expect $240 to $375.
Glued carpet is common in basements, commercial spaces, and homes built before the 1980s. If you’re not sure how your carpet is secured, lift a corner. If it pulls up easily, it’s tack-stripped. If it resists, it’s glued.
Adhesive residue needs removal before new carpet goes down. Installers scrape, grind, or use solvents to clean the subfloor. This costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot depending on adhesive type.
For more on subfloor prep after glued carpet removal, see our carpet installation service page.
Disposal Fees and Hauling
Disposal costs $50 to $200 depending on carpet volume and local dump fees. A single bedroom generates one load. A full house generates two to three loads.
Some Ottawa waste facilities charge by weight. Carpet and padding weigh 1 to 2 pounds per square foot. A 900-square-foot house generates 900 to 1,800 pounds of waste.
Private disposal services charge flat rates. Expect $75 to $150 per truckload for carpet disposal. Some installers include this in the removal rate. Others charge separately.
Curbside pickup isn’t an option for large amounts of carpet. Ottawa municipal waste won’t take full-house carpet at the curb. You need a truck and a trip to the dump or a private hauling service.
If you’re removing carpet yourself, budget $50 to $100 for dump fees plus truck rental if you don’t own one.
Furniture Moving Costs
Furniture moving costs $100 to $500 depending on room count and furniture volume. A single bedroom with a bed and dresser sits at the low end. A full house with heavy sectionals, entertainment centers, and appliances sits at the high end.
Some installers include basic furniture shifts in the removal rate. They move beds, dressers, and sofas to the center of the room, pull up the carpet, then move furniture back.
Heavy items—pianos, gun safes, water heaters—cost extra. Expect $50 to $200 per item depending on size and weight.
Built-in furniture can’t be moved. Installers cut carpet around built-in cabinets, shelving, or counters. This adds labor but doesn’t require moving charges.
If you move furniture yourself before the installer arrives, you save $100 to $500. Empty rooms are faster and cheaper to work in.
Baseboard Removal and Reinstallation
Baseboards sometimes need removal to access carpet edges. This costs $2 to $4 per linear foot for removal and reinstallation.
Most installers tuck carpet under baseboards without removing them. If there’s enough clearance, this works fine and saves money.
Older homes with tight fits or thick baseboards may require removal. The installer pries off the baseboards, removes the carpet, then reinstalls the baseboards after new carpet goes down.
Painted baseboards often chip or crack during removal. Budget $1 to $2 per linear foot for touch-up painting if baseboards are removed.
If you’re installing new flooring—hardwood, tile, or vinyl—after removing carpet, baseboards usually come off anyway. The flooring installer handles it.
Subfloor Cleaning After Removal
Subfloor cleaning costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot depending on condition. Pulling tack strips leaves holes and nails. Glued carpet leaves adhesive residue. Both need cleaning before new flooring goes down.
Wood subfloors need nail holes filled and sanded smooth. This costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot. If the wood is stained or damaged, patching costs $2 to $4 per square foot.
Concrete subfloors need adhesive removal. Light adhesive scrapes off with a floor scraper. Heavy adhesive requires grinding or chemical solvents. Grinding costs $1 to $2 per square foot.
If you’re installing new carpet, subfloor cleaning is less critical. The new padding and carpet cover minor imperfections. If you’re installing hard flooring—hardwood, tile, laminate—the subfloor needs to be smooth and clean.
For more on subfloor prep, see our carpet repair service page.
Asbestos Testing and Abatement
Carpet installed before 1980 may have asbestos-containing adhesive or backing. Testing costs $200 to $500. Abatement costs $3 to $7 per square foot if asbestos is present.
Asbestos isn’t dangerous when left alone. It’s dangerous when disturbed—cutting, tearing, or scraping releases fibers into the air.
If testing confirms asbestos, hire a certified abatement contractor. DIY removal isn’t safe or legal in most jurisdictions. Abatement contractors seal the area, remove the carpet, and dispose of it according to regulations.
Most homes built after 1980 don’t have asbestos in carpet materials. If your home is older and you’re unsure, test before removing carpet yourself.
DIY Removal vs. Professional Removal
DIY removal costs $50 to $150 for dump fees, tools, and truck rental. You save labor costs but spend your time and energy.
Tack-stripped carpet is DIY-friendly. You need a utility knife, pliers, a pry bar, and a truck. Pull up the carpet, roll it up, yank out tack strips, haul it to the dump. A 300-square-foot room takes two to four hours.
Glued carpet is harder. You need a floor scraper, solvents or a grinder, and patience. A 300-square-foot room takes four to eight hours depending on adhesive strength.
Professional removal costs $150 to $450 for a 300-square-foot room but takes one to two hours. Installers have the tools, experience, and disposal connections to work fast.
If you’re installing new carpet, most installers include removal in the job. You save money and hassle by bundling.
For more on professional installation services, see our carpet installation service page.
Add-On Costs for Removal Projects
Stair carpet removal costs $3 to $7 per step depending on how it’s secured. Tack-stripped stairs sit at the low end. Glued or stapled stairs sit at the high end. For a 13-step staircase, expect $39 to $91.
Carpet tile removal costs $0.40 to $0.80 per square foot. Tiles peel up faster than glued roll carpet. Adhesive residue still needs cleaning.
Transition strip removal costs $5 to $10 per strip. Metal or wood transitions between carpet and tile or hardwood get pried up when the carpet comes out.
Mold or water damage treatment costs $500 to $2,000 depending on extent. If the old carpet molded, the subfloor likely needs treatment before new flooring goes down.
Old tack strip disposal is usually included in the removal rate. Tack strips are small and fit in the same truckload as the carpet.
Pricing Examples for Removal Projects
Example 1: Single 150 sq ft bedroom, tack-stripped
- Carpet and padding removal: $90
- Tack strip removal: included
- Furniture moving (minimal): $75
- Disposal fee: $50
- Subfloor cleaning (nail holes): $50
- Total: $265 ($1.77/sq ft all-in)
Example 2: 900 sq ft house, tack-stripped
- Carpet and padding removal: $540
- Tack strip removal: included
- Furniture moving (full house): $400
- Disposal fee (2 loads): $150
- Subfloor cleaning: $300
- Total: $1,390 ($1.54/sq ft all-in)
Example 3: 600 sq ft basement, glued to concrete
- Carpet removal: $720
- Adhesive grinding: $600
- Furniture moving: $200
- Disposal fee: $100
- Mold treatment (200 sq ft): $600
- Total: $2,220 ($3.70/sq ft all-in)
Example 4: 13-step staircase, tack-stripped
- Stair carpet removal: $65
- Tack strip and padding removal: included
- Disposal fee: $50
- Nosing cleaning: $40
- Total: $155 ($11.92/step)
Example 5: 400 sq ft commercial space, glued to concrete
- Glued carpet removal: $500
- Heavy adhesive grinding: $600
- Disposal fee: $100
- Subfloor sealing: $200
- Total: $1,400 ($3.50/sq ft all-in)
These numbers assume standard residential or light commercial projects. Heavy adhesive, asbestos, or extensive subfloor damage push costs higher.
When to Remove Carpet Yourself
Remove carpet yourself if you’re comfortable with manual labor, have a truck, and don’t mind spending a day on it. Tack-stripped carpet in a single room is a manageable DIY project.
Skip DIY if the carpet is glued, if there’s asbestos risk, or if you’re removing carpet from multiple rooms. The time and effort aren’t worth the savings.
DIY makes sense if you’re installing new flooring yourself and want to save every dollar. It doesn’t make sense if you’re hiring installers anyway—they’ll remove old carpet cheaper than you can because they work fast and have disposal connections.
If you’re planning new carpet installation, check our carpet installation service page for bundled removal and installation pricing.
How to Get an Accurate Removal Quote
Measure your space. Total up all rooms you’re removing carpet from. Note whether it’s tack-stripped or glued.
Take photos of corners and edges. Lift a corner to show how the carpet is secured. Share photos with installers when requesting quotes.
List furniture that needs moving. The more detail you provide, the more accurate the quote.
Ask what’s included. Does the quote cover disposal? Furniture moving? Tack strip removal? Subfloor cleaning? If it’s silent, assume those items cost extra.
Request quotes from at least three installers. Compare per-square-foot rates and what’s included.
If you’re installing new carpet, request bundled quotes for removal and installation. You’ll save money compared to hiring separate contractors.
Use our carpet cost calculator to estimate your removal project before requesting quotes.
Common Removal Mistakes
Not testing for asbestos before removing old carpet. If the carpet is pre-1980, test first. Asbestos fibers are a health hazard.
Skipping subfloor cleaning. Leaving old tack strips, nails, and adhesive residue creates problems for new flooring. Clean the subfloor properly.
Not budgeting for disposal fees. Carpet is bulky. You can’t toss it in household trash. Budget $50 to $200 for dump fees or hauling.
Trying to remove glued carpet without proper tools. A utility knife and elbow grease won’t cut it. You need a floor scraper, grinder, or solvents.
Damaging baseboards during removal. Prying baseboards off carelessly cracks paint and wood. Take time or leave them in place.
Not moving furniture before the installer arrives. If removal doesn’t include furniture moving, you’ll pay extra or do it yourself on the spot.
For help with carpet issues after removal, see our carpet repair service page.
FAQ
How much does it cost to remove carpet in Ottawa? $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot depending on how it’s secured. Tack-stripped carpet costs less than glued carpet.
Is disposal included in carpet removal cost? Sometimes. Ask before booking. Some installers include disposal in the base rate. Others charge $50 to $200 extra.
Can I remove carpet myself? Yes, if it’s tack-stripped and you have a truck. Glued carpet is harder and takes special tools. Expect to spend two to eight hours on a 300 sq ft room.
How long does professional carpet removal take? One to two hours for a 300 sq ft room. A full 900 sq ft house takes four to six hours.
Do I need to move furniture before carpet removal? Most installers move basic furniture as part of the job. Heavy items should be moved beforehand or the installer will charge extra.
How much does it cost to remove glued carpet? $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot including adhesive removal. For a 600 sq ft basement, expect $600 to $900.
Can old carpet be recycled in Ottawa? Some facilities recycle carpet, but most residential carpet goes to landfill. Check with your installer or local waste facility.
How much does it cost to remove carpet from stairs? $3 to $7 per step. For a 13-step staircase, expect $39 to $91.
What do I do with old carpet after removal? Haul it to the dump or hire a disposal service. Ottawa municipal waste won’t take large amounts of carpet at the curb.
Should I remove carpet before installing hardwood or tile? Yes. Carpet needs to come up before hard flooring goes down. Most flooring installers offer removal as an add-on service.