Schedule a Consultation (754) 236-0675
Illustration of a completed light oak-look plank floor in an empty room with new skirting fitted

The floor fails
because of what was
under it.

Sometimes the job is not laying a new floor — it is getting everything beneath the old one into a condition new material can be trusted on. We test before we demolish, and we fix the slab before anyone lays anything.

Discuss Your Floor See The Sequence
  • Licensed, bonded & insured · CBC1265280
  • 104 municipalities across 3 counties
  • Design-build: permitting & construction in-house

Miami-Dade · Broward & Palm Beach Counties

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The ServiceSection 02 of 15

A discipline of its own, before any new floor.

Removal and subfloor repair is the work of taking up the existing floor, identifying what is actually underneath, and bringing the slab or subfloor to a condition where new material will last.

It is a standalone scope, and in older Miami-Dade and Broward homes it is rarely as simple as it looks. What comes up might be a sound slab, a thick mortar bed from a prior tile job, original terrazzo that was covered rather than removed, or mid-century vinyl tile over black cutback adhesive. Each of those is a different project. We test before demolishing rather than after, and we hand over a substrate that has been measured — not one that merely looks dry.

Moisture testASTM F2170

In-situ relative-humidity probes set at roughly 40% of slab depth and left to equilibrate — a reading from inside the slab, not off its surface.

Asbestos window1950s–70s

Vinyl tile and black mastic from that era commonly contained asbestos. On pre-1980s homes we test before grinding or aggressive scraping.

Licensed GCCBC1265280

Elbaz Construction holds the certified building contractor licence and coordinates licensed abatement where testing requires it.

ScopeSection 03 of 15

What removal and repair actually covers.

Testing first, demolition second. That order is the whole point.

01Assessment and testingIdentifying the existing floor and what is likely beneath it, and testing suspect material before anything is disturbed.

On a pre-1980s home with original vinyl tile still down, a sample goes for testing before any grinding or aggressive scraping. Intact, undisturbed material is generally low risk; sanding it is not.

02Abatement coordinationWhere a sample returns positive, licensed abatement is brought in before our work continues.

This is not a step to work around or hurry. It changes sequencing and cost, and it is the reason testing happens before a schedule is promised.

03Protection and containmentDust control, protected routes and controlled debris removal, particularly in occupied homes and condo buildings.

Tile demolition generates a great deal of fine dust. Containment and extraction are part of the scope rather than an optional extra.

04Floor removalTile, vinyl, carpet, timber or laminate taken up, with the fixing method dictating the method of removal.

The aim is to remove the covering without damaging the substrate underneath. Aggressive removal that gouges a slab creates repair work that did not need to exist.

05Mortar bed and adhesive removalThick-set beds ground down and residual adhesive removed to leave a workable surface.

A previous tile job often leaves an inch or more of sand-cement bed. It has to come down, or the new floor sits proud of every threshold in the house.

06Substrate assessmentFlatness checked against the tolerance the chosen floor requires, plus cracks, spalling and hollow areas.

Different finishes demand different flatness. A large-format tile and a click-lock vinyl do not tolerate the same deviation, so the target is set by what is going down.

07Moisture testingIn-situ relative-humidity probe testing to ASTM F2170 before any moisture-sensitive floor is specified.

A slab can feel bone dry and still transmit enough vapour from below to fail a wood or wood-look floor within a year or two. Probes set into the slab and left to equilibrate give the real figure.

08Crack repair and levellingCracks stabilised by epoxy or polyurethane injection; low spots corrected with self-levelling underlayment.

A crack that is merely covered telegraphs through the new floor. Skipping levelling on an out-of-tolerance slab is one of the most common causes of hollow-sounding tile and separating vinyl seams.

09Handover or installationA prepared, tested, documented substrate — either to our own installation phase or to another contractor.

We are content to do this as a standalone scope. If someone else is laying the floor, they get a substrate with test results attached rather than assurances.

Illustrated SequenceSection 04 of 15

One room, floor to substrate and back.

Illustrative sequence · not photographs of an Elbaz project

Every image on this page is a generated illustration of the removal and subfloor-repair process described here. None of them is a photograph, and none shows a completed Elbaz Construction project. The sequence is drawn as one room so the stages read in order; the substrate frames are separate technical illustrations. The conditions, tests and standards they depict are real and are the work we carry out.

Illustration of a dated beige tile floor with cracked tiles in an empty South Florida room before removal begins
01Illustration: the existing floor before work begins
Illustration of tile floor removal half complete, bare concrete slab exposed on one side with a worker using a floor scraper
02Illustration: removal under way, old tile coming up
Illustration of a worker trowelling patching compound into a chased-out crack in a concrete slab
03Illustration: crack repair worked into a chased-out crack
Illustration of self-levelling underlayment flowing across a primed slab and being worked with a gauge rake
04Illustration: self-levelling compound finding its level
Sequence NotesSection 05 of 15

Why the order matters.

Test before you demolish

On any pre-1980s home with original vinyl tile still down, a sample is tested before grinding or aggressive scraping begins. Intact material is generally low-risk; disturbing it is what changes the picture. Testing first also means the programme and the price are set against what is actually there rather than against an assumption.

Remove without damaging

The objective is to take the covering off and leave the substrate as intact as possible. Over-aggressive removal gouges a slab and manufactures repair work that did not need to exist. Where a thick-set mortar bed is found, it is ground down rather than left, because a new floor sitting an inch high fails at every threshold in the house.

Measure, then correct

Flatness is checked against the tolerance the chosen floor actually requires, not a general one. Cracks are stabilised with epoxy or polyurethane injection so they do not telegraph through. Low spots are corrected with self-levelling underlayment. Skipping this is the most common reason new tile sounds hollow or vinyl seams separate in the first year.

Prove it is dry

A slab that feels dry can still transmit enough vapour from below to destroy a wood or wood-look floor. In-situ relative-humidity probes set at roughly 40% of slab depth and left to equilibrate give a reading from inside the concrete. That number decides whether a vapour barrier or mitigation coating is required before anything moisture-sensitive goes down.

Illustration of a concrete slab defect close up, showing a shrinkage crack and a straightedge bridging a low spot
05Illustration: straightedge showing a low spot in the slab
Sequence shownExisting floor, removal, stripped slab, defects, repair, levelling, ready substrate, installation, completion
RoomOne conceptual South Florida interior, slab-on-grade
Substrate framesMortar bed, terrazzo, vinyl and mastic, moisture test
Standards referencedASTM F2170 in-situ relative-humidity testing
Repairs shownCrack injection and self-levelling underlayment
ImageryGenerated illustration — not photographs
Elbaz project?No. No frame on this page shows a completed Elbaz Construction project.
Why illustratedA coherent stage-by-stage sequence cannot be assembled honestly from unrelated job photographs
StandardsSection 06 of 15

A new floor almost never fails because of the floor. It fails because of what was under it.

Six things we hold to on removal and subfloor work.

01Durability

The substrate decides the lifespan

Flatness, moisture and crack stabilisation determine whether a floor lasts twenty years or fails in eighteen months. The finish material rarely does.

02Design

Tolerance set by the finish

Large-format tile, click-lock vinyl and engineered timber do not tolerate the same deviation. We prepare to the number the chosen product requires.

03Function

Height and thresholds planned

Removing or retaining a mortar bed changes finished floor height at every door and transition. That gets resolved on paper before demolition.

04Planning

Testing before scheduling

Asbestos and moisture testing happen before a programme is promised, because both can change it substantially.

05Craftsmanship

Remove without wrecking the slab

Careful removal leaves a substrate that needs less repair. Aggressive removal creates work that then has to be paid for.

06Quality control

Documented, not asserted

You get moisture readings and a flatness check, whether we lay the new floor or someone else does.

South Florida adds three constraints: slab-on-grade construction means vapour drive from below is a permanent condition rather than an occasional one; the mid-century housing stock puts asbestos-era vinyl and mastic in play on a large share of homes; and prior tile-over-tile work has left thick mortar beds in more houses than most owners expect.

Illustration of in-situ moisture testing on a bare concrete slab using a sealed test dome and a hand-held meter
06Illustration: in-situ moisture testing on a bare slab
What Lies BeneathSection 07 of 15

The four conditions we actually find.

These are separate technical illustrations rather than part of the sequence above. Each shows one of the substrate conditions that changes the scope of a removal job.

Illustration of a room stripped to bare concrete slab with ridges of hardened thinset and a straightedge laid across it
07

Illustration: the slab fully stripped and swept

Illustration of a thick-set sand-cement mortar bed left on a slab after tile removal, with a grinder alongside
08

Illustration: a thick-set mortar bed left after tile removal

Illustration of original terrazzo revealed beneath an old floor covering, half cleaned and half still covered
09

Illustration: original terrazzo found beneath an old covering

Illustration of a cured, flat, uniform levelled substrate ready for new flooring
10

Illustration: the levelled substrate, cured and ready

Illustration of mid-century vinyl floor tile with black cutback adhesive beneath, one tile lifted and a sample bag alongside
11

Illustration: mid-century vinyl tile over black cutback adhesive

Illustration of luxury vinyl plank being laid over a prepared substrate, half the room complete
12Illustration: new plank going down over the prepared slab
Sound slabClean, test, proceed
Mortar bedGrind down to recover the correct floor height
TerrazzoAssess for restoration before covering it again
Vinyl and masticTest before grinding on any pre-1980s home
Status of imageryGenerated illustration throughout — no frame here is a photograph
MethodsSection 08 of 15

What gets used, and when.

The six methods that make up almost every removal and repair scope.

Mechanical removal
Scrapers, chisels and floor strippers
Matched to how the existing floor was fixed. The aim is a clean lift that leaves the substrate intact.Gouging the slab creates repair work that was avoidable.
Grinding
Walk-behind grinder with dust extraction
Removes thick-set mortar beds and bonded adhesive residue to recover the correct finished floor height.Never used on suspect material before testing.
Asbestos testing
Sampling and laboratory analysis
On pre-1980s homes with original vinyl tile or black mastic. Intact material is generally low-risk; grinding or aggressive scraping is what releases fibres.Positive results mean licensed abatement, not a workaround.
Moisture testing
In-situ RH probes to ASTM F2170
Probes set at roughly 40% of slab depth and left to equilibrate, giving a reading from inside the slab rather than off its surface.Required before any moisture-sensitive floor is committed to.
Crack stabilisation
Epoxy or polyurethane injection
The crack is chased out, cleaned and injected so it does not move or telegraph through the new floor.Covering a live crack simply relocates the failure.
Levelling
Cement-based self-levelling underlayment
Poured over a primed slab to correct low spots and bring the surface within the flatness tolerance the new floor requires.Priming is not optional; it controls how the compound bonds and flows.

Provenance note: every image on this page is a generated illustration produced to explain the removal and subfloor-repair process, and the diagrams in section 11 are drawings we produced. No image here is a photograph, and none shows a building or a floor completed by Elbaz Construction. The conditions, standards and methods described in the text are accurate regardless.

ProcessSection 09 of 15

Nine stages, one contractor.

01

Consultation

What is down now, the age of the property, and what you intend to lay.

02

Site assessment

Existing floor identified, thresholds and finished heights recorded, suspect material noted.

03

Testing

Asbestos sampling where the age and material call for it; moisture testing where the new floor is sensitive to it.

04

Scope and sequencing

A written scope reflecting what testing actually found, including abatement where required.

05

Protection

Containment, dust extraction and protected routes set up.

06

Removal

Floor covering taken up with the method matched to how it was fixed.

07

Substrate preparation

Mortar bed ground down, adhesive residue removed, surface vacuumed.

08

Repair and levelling

Cracks injected and stabilised; self-levelling underlayment poured and cured.

09

Verification and handover

Flatness checked, moisture readings recorded, substrate handed over or installation begins.

PlanningSection 10 of 15

What needs approving, and what does not.

Permit position
Straight replacement of a floor covering is frequently not a permitted activity on its own. Where the work involves structural repair, abatement or associated plumbing or electrical, permits do apply. We confirm rather than assume.
Asbestos notification
Where testing returns positive, abatement is carried out by a licensed contractor under the applicable notification and disposal requirements.
Condo and HOA approval
Most buildings require plan submission, insurance certificates, work-hour restrictions and freight elevator scheduling for floor removal, largely because of noise and debris.
Sound transmission rules
Many South Florida condo buildings set minimum acoustic ratings for hard floor coverings above the ground level, which dictates the underlayment before the floor is chosen.
Moisture documentation
Flooring manufacturers commonly require in-situ RH results within a stated range as a condition of warranty. Those readings are recorded and handed over.
Threshold and height changes
Where finished floor height changes, door undercutting and transition details are resolved before installation rather than improvised at the end.
Structural findings
If removal exposes genuine structural damage rather than surface defects, the scope stops and an engineer is involved before it resumes.
Waste handling
Tile and mortar bed debris is heavy and voluminous; disposal is planned rather than discovered.
Closeout
Test results, flatness verification and product documentation handed over with the completed substrate.

Permit requirements differ across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach and between individual condo buildings, and they change. Whether your specific removal requires a permit depends on the associated scope. We will confirm what your address and building actually require rather than guessing.

What We FindSection 11 of 15

Four substrates, four different projects.

Drawings, not photographs. Pulling up an old floor in South Florida usually reveals one of these, and which one it is changes the entire scope.

01

Sound slab

Bare, flat, structurally sound concrete. The straightforward case: clean, test for moisture, and proceed.

02

Mortar bed

A thick sand-cement bed from a previous tile job, which has to be ground down before anything new can sit at the right height.

03

Terrazzo

Original mid-century terrazzo tiled over rather than removed. Sometimes worth restoring instead of covering again.

04

Vinyl and mastic

Mid-century vinyl tile over black cutback adhesive. On pre-1980s homes this is tested before anything is ground or scraped.

05

Cracks and dips

Shrinkage or settlement cracks and out-of-tolerance low spots, which are stabilised and levelled rather than covered.

DecisionsSection 12 of 15

What moves the number, and what moves the date.

Removal pricing varies more than almost any other trade, because what is under the floor is unknown until some of it comes up. These are the drivers.

What moves the number

What is being removed
Carpet lifts cheaply. A thick-set tile mortar bed is slow, heavy, dusty work and costs materially more.
Asbestos findings
A positive result brings licensed abatement into the scope, with its own cost and sequencing.
Area and access
Square footage, plus how far debris has to travel to a skip — upper-floor condo removal costs more than a ground floor with a driveway.
Substrate condition
The extent of cracking, spalling and how far out of flatness the slab actually is.
Levelling volume
Self-levelling compound is priced by depth as well as area; a badly out-of-tolerance slab uses a lot.
Moisture mitigation
Where testing requires a barrier or mitigation coating before a sensitive floor can go down.
Protection requirements
Occupied homes and condo buildings need containment, protected routes and scheduled debris removal.
Disposal
Tile and mortar debris is dense; disposal is a real line rather than a rounding error.

What moves the date

Test turnaround
Asbestos sampling and laboratory results before demolition can proceed on suspect material.
Abatement
Where required, carried out by a licensed contractor on its own schedule.
Moisture equilibration
In-situ RH probes need time in the slab before they read accurately.
Levelling cure
Self-levelling underlayment must cure before anything is laid over it.
Building access
Condo work hours and freight elevator scheduling.
What is found
An unexpected mortar bed or terrazzo changes the plan and the duration.

Bring to the first call

  • Roughly when the property was built.
  • What is down now, and whether you know what is under it.
  • What you intend to lay afterwards.
  • Whether it is a condo, and the building’s name.
  • Whether anyone will be living there during the work.
  • Any history of damp, cupping or lifting in the existing floor.
CompletionSection 13 of 15

A substrate you can lay on.

The end of the sequence: slab stripped, defects repaired, surface levelled and cured, moisture verified, new floor down. An illustration of the process rather than a photograph of a finished Elbaz project.

  • An assessment of what is likely under your existing floor.
  • Testing before any demolition on suspect material.
  • A written scope that reflects what testing actually found.
  • Moisture readings and a flatness check handed over at the end.
Illustration of a completed light oak-look plank floor in an empty room with new skirting fitted
13Illustration: the completed floor

Questions, answered.

Asbestos, moisture testing, mortar beds, levelling, cost and permits.

How do I know if my old vinyl tile contains asbestos?

Age is the strongest clue — vinyl tile and the black mastic beneath it commonly contained asbestos from the 1950s through the 1970s. The only way to know is to test a sample, and we will not grind or aggressively demolish suspect material before that comes back.

Can I just rip the old floor up myself?

If the property predates roughly 1980 and has original vinyl tile or black mastic, we would strongly advise testing first. Intact material is generally low-risk, but sanding, grinding or aggressive scraping can release fibres. For anything else, DIY removal is not prohibited — it just frequently damages the substrate in ways that cost more to repair than the removal saved.

What will be under my tile once it comes up?

It varies. Sometimes bare sound slab. Often an old mortar bed from a previous tile job that has to be ground down. In older homes, occasionally original terrazzo that was covered rather than removed — which changes the whole plan, and is sometimes worth restoring instead.

How do you test whether a slab is too damp for a new floor?

In-situ relative-humidity probe testing to ASTM F2170. Probes are set into the slab at roughly 40% of its depth and left to equilibrate, so the reading comes from inside the concrete rather than off a surface that always feels dry.

Can a cracked slab be repaired, or does it need replacing?

Most cracks are stabilised with epoxy or polyurethane injection before anything new goes over them. Full slab replacement is rare and is reserved for genuine structural problems, not ordinary shrinkage or settlement cracking.

What is self-levelling underlayment and do I need it?

A pourable cement-based compound that flows to correct low spots and bring a slab within the flatness tolerance the new floor requires. You need it if the slab is out of that tolerance — skipping it is one of the most common causes of hollow-sounding tile and separating vinyl seams.

What does removal cost on its own?

It depends almost entirely on what is being removed. Carpet is inexpensive. A thick-set tile mortar bed or asbestos-era vinyl and mastic costs meaningfully more because of the labour, equipment and, where applicable, testing and abatement.

Do you lay the new floor as well?

We can, and we are equally happy to hand over a prepared, tested and documented substrate for another contractor to work on. The test results and flatness check go with it either way.

How much dust does this create?

A great deal, particularly with tile and mortar bed removal. Containment and dust extraction are part of the scope, and in occupied homes and condos we work with protected routes and scheduled debris removal.

Why are the images on this page illustrations rather than photographs?

Because a stage-by-stage sequence — existing floor, removal, exposed slab, repair, levelling, completion — cannot be assembled honestly from photographs of unrelated jobs. Rather than present ten different houses as one project, these stages are drawn as one room and clearly labelled as illustrations.

Why Elbaz.

Licensed general contractor

Certified building contractor, licence CBC1265280, bonded and insured.

Testing before demolition

Asbestos and moisture testing happen before the programme is set, not after something has already been ground.

Documented substrate

You receive moisture readings and a flatness check, whether or not we lay the new floor.

Standalone scope

We are content to prepare a substrate and hand it to another installer, with the results attached.

Local experience

The mid-century Miami-Dade and Broward housing stock, where mortar beds, terrazzo and asbestos-era vinyl are routine finds.

Dust and access control

Containment, extraction and scheduled debris removal in occupied homes and condo buildings.

Communication

If what comes up changes the plan, you hear it that day, with the options and what each costs.

Financing

Financing options available through our partners.

Proof & ReadingSection 14 of 15

What South Florida homeowners say.

Reproduced verbatim from our Google Business Profile. Nothing here has been edited, merged or rewritten.

Redid my whole bathroom and kitchen. Great service - Great quality - very quick - very professional !! Highly recommended!

Adir DavidovGoogle review

They are amazing! Very professional. Met my exact requests with so much patience and knowledge. They renovated my whole house and the whole process was such a breeze. I highly recommend them!

Lee MoraliGoogle review

We hired them to renovate our investment property and they provided exceptional quality service for an affordable price!

Shir PartushGoogle review

Amazing experience with the entire company! They did a great job in my house for some work that needed to be completed, and I am extremely happy with the result. Super professional & great service. I highly recommend Elbaz Construction.

Mia ZafraniGoogle review

After I've been Looking for a good company to renovate my house , I found those guys! These people are super professional super honest super Fast !! Don't hesitate to Rent their service! They are number one!!

carmit cohenGoogle review

I highly recommend them for home improvement. They renovated my master bathroom and a few upgrades for other guest bathrooms. They are very professional, courteous and transparent. They are great at communicating and finding ways to streamline the work. Sean has impeccable project management and customer relationship management skills. Very pleased with the work!

Omri BGoogle review

Further reading.

ServiceHardwood Flooring InstallationWhat goes down once the substrate is proven dry and flat.ServiceLuxury Vinyl Plank FlooringClick-lock systems and the flatness they demand.ServiceTerrazzo RestorationWhen what is found underneath is worth bringing back.ServiceTile Flooring InstallationLarge-format tile and the substrate tolerance it needs.CategoryFlooringThe full flooring scope across South Florida.ServiceFull Bathroom RemodelWhere floor removal meets waterproofing and drainage.

Project files

No demolition photos. Finished floors only.

The photos here show the finished floors that follow removal and subfloor work. These sets show where removal and subfloor work leads: a finished kitchen floor with a raised tile landing, and empty rooms where new floors sit on a prepared surface.

2Projects shown
11Photos
PROJECT 01

Finished tile floor with a raised landing

The photos show the new floor, not its removal. A large-format white tile floor runs through an emerald kitchen. A raised white tile landing has gray patterned cement-tile risers, so the floor changes height at that step and every edge has to be built to meet it.

Scope of work

  • Large-format white tile laid across the kitchen
  • Raised tile landing built at a level change
  • Patterned cement-tile risers set at the step
  • Tile continued into the breakfast nook
  • Floor carried to a laundry room with a patterned base
  • Tile kept flat to the cabinet bases

Materials & finishes

Large-format porcelain tilePatterned cement tileWhite quartzBrass hardwareGreen shaker cabinets

What to look for in the photos

Look at the step. A level change like this is planned during substrate work, before any tile goes down.

Elbaz Construction project photo · 7 photos

PROJECT 02

Empty rooms with new floors, four jobs

A collection from four separate jobs, all photographed empty. One has herringbone hardwood facing a lake view, two have wood-look vinyl plank in a condo living room and hallway, and one has plank floor with a transition step at a doorway.

Scope of work

  • Herringbone hardwood laid in a great room
  • Wood-look vinyl plank in a condo living room
  • Plank floor run down a condo hallway
  • Transition step formed at a doorway
  • Baseboards fitted over the finished floor
  • Floors laid before furniture moved in

Materials & finishes

Herringbone hardwoodWood-look vinyl plankWide plankStep transitionWhite baseboard

What to look for in the photos

An empty room shows the floor honestly. Check for flat, even planks and clean lines at the edges and the step.

Collection: photos from several Elbaz Construction jobs · 4 photos

Budget and schedule

Where removal money goes.

Taking a floor out costs less than finding out what is under it. These are typical shares and a typical sequence for removal and subfloor repair.

Where a typical removal and repair budget goes

100%OF BUDGET
  • Demolition and removal20%
  • Hauling and disposal8%
  • Slab and subfloor repair22%
  • Leveling and underlayment20%
  • Moisture testing and barrier12%
  • Labor and protection12%
  • Material testing and permits6%

Typical shares only; what the slab or subfloor turns out to need moves them.

A typical removal and repair sequence, in weeks

Survey and moisture readings
Material testing and decisions
Old floor removal
Slab and subfloor repair
Moisture barrier and leveling
Cure time and flatness check
Sign-off before new flooring
Week 0Week 5Week 10

Curing times for repair and leveling products set the pace more than the demolition does.

Drawn out

From uneven slab to a floor.

Three drawings show the repair, the floor it supports and the quick option over it.

OUT OF FLATGROUND + SELF-LEVELEDREMOVE · GRIND · PATCH · LEVEL

Rough slab, flat slab

Grinding the high spots and filling the low ones turns an uneven slab into a flat surface that the next floor can sit on.

TILE OVER SLABPorcelain / tileThinset (95% coverage)Crack-isolation membraneConcrete slabVapor barrier + soil

Tile needs the flat base

Tile on mortar over a slab only stays level and unbroken when the substrate beneath it is flat, dry and sound.

FLOATING LVP FLOORWear layerPrinted design layerRigid SPC coreAttached pad6-mil vapor barrierFlat slab (3/16 in in 10 ft)

Plank floats on a flat floor

A floating plank floor does not bond to the slab, so it is less forgiving of dips. It goes down only after the substrate work is done.

Scope planner

Scope the removal.

Choose the closest options to see the trades involved and typical weeks on site.

What is coming up?
How big is the area?
What is the substrate?
Is there damp or damage?

More questions

After the floor is up.

What homeowners ask about disposal, glue, flood damage, subfloors and condo rules.

Ask us directly
What happens to the old flooring after it comes up?

It is bagged or stacked, loaded out and taken to a licensed disposal site. Tile and mortar are heavy, so we plan the number of loads early. Anything that tests positive for a regulated material is handled separately under the rules that apply. You do not need to arrange a dumpster yourself.

Can old glue be left under a new floor?

Sometimes, but not always. Thin, well-bonded adhesive can stay if the new floor allows it, while thick or soft glue must be scraped or ground back. Old glue can also show through vinyl or stop new adhesive from bonding. We test a patch and tell you what the floor maker requires.

Does a storm or flood change what has to come out?

Yes. Floodwater soaks into wood subfloors and underlayment, and wet material left in place grows mold. We map moisture before cutting anything out and remove only what cannot dry. Insurance adjusters often want photos before demolition, so keep records and wait for their visit before work starts.

Do I need a permit for a dumpster?

It depends on where the dumpster sits. On a private driveway, usually no. On a street or in a condo's shared area, the city or the association may require approval, and some limit how long it can stay. We ask before delivery and plan around the rules.

Can we stay in the house during floor removal?

Usually yes, but plan for noise, dust and blocked rooms. Removal is the loudest and dirtiest part of a flooring job. We seal off the work area, keep a clear route to a bathroom and kitchen where possible, and clean up daily. Some households prefer to leave for the first days.

How do you repair a damaged wood subfloor?

We cut out the damaged area back to sound framing, fit new plywood of the same thickness, fasten it to the joists and glue the seams. Then we check the surface is flat. Patching only the soft spot without finding the cause, usually a leak, would let the damage return.

What does a condo building require for floor demolition?

Most buildings limit work hours, require elevator padding and ask for a certificate of insurance. Many also want a sound-rated underlayment on upper floors and a written approval before work begins. Ask your management office early, because approval can take longer than the demolition itself.

How long must a repair cure before new flooring goes on?

It depends on the product and its thickness. Patching compounds and leveling products often take a day or so, while thick pours and moisture barriers need longer. In humid weather everything dries more slowly. We follow the maker's cure time and measure again before the new floor is started.

Service Areas

Proudly serving homeowners across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach

(754) 236-0675

104 municipalities across three counties — and we hold the licence to build in all of them. Not sure about your address? Ask us.

Next StepSection 15 of 15

Tell us what is down now.

The useful first conversation is about the age of the property, what is on the floor today, and what you want to lay — because those three answers decide whether this is a simple lift or a testing job.

Request A Consultation

What happens next

01   You send the details
The form below, or a call to 754-236-0675.
02   We come back to you
With what is likely under your floor and what it means.
03   We assess and test
Existing floor identified, samples taken where the age calls for it.
04   You get a written scope
Based on what testing found, not on an assumption.

Licensed, bonded and insured — certified building contractor CBC1265280. Serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

Preferred contact method

We use your details only to respond to this enquiry. No lists, no resale.

Thanks — that came through.

We have your details and a member of the team will be in touch. If it is urgent, call 754-236-0675.