By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
Bathroom demolition cost in South Florida runs $2,750–$4,250 to gut a typical 5x8 to 8x10 bathroom to the studs and slab: tile, tub or shower, vanity, toilet and drywall, with debris hauled away. A shower alone is $1,250–$2,000, and removing just the floor tile is $4–$6 per sq ft. Mud-set tile, cast iron tubs and condo high-rises cost more. J. Perry & Sons tile removal and demolition does demo as a standalone job or as the first phase of a remodel.
Bathroom demolition cost by scope
| Scope | What's removed | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Floor tile only | Tile and thinset ground off, haul-away | $4–$6 per sq ft; $5.50–$8 if mud-set |
| Shower only, standard 3x5 | Wall tile, backer, pan, curb, glass | $1,250–$2,000 |
| Tub and surround | Tub, tile surround, backer | $1,500–$2,500; more for cast iron |
| Full bathroom gut, 5x8 to 8x10 | All tile, tub or shower, vanity, toilet, mirror, drywall, haul-away | $2,750–$4,250 |
| Master bath gut, 100–160 sq ft | Same, larger room, double vanity, separate tub and shower | $4,250–$7,000 |
| Dustless upgrade | Vacuum-shrouded grinding and containment | +$1–$1.50 per sq ft of floor |
The plumber caps supply lines and drains as part of the demo, and the cost of that cap-off is included in our remodel pricing. If you're hiring us for demo only, ask us to include it so the house has water the same night.
Demo alone or demo as part of the remodel
Most of our bathroom demos are phase one of a bathroom renovation, where the guest bath runs $20,000–$30,000 and the master $38,000–$75,000+, and demo is a line inside that price. Standalone demo makes sense when:
- You want to see what's behind the tile before choosing a full scope.
- A leak or mold needs the room opened now and the rebuild comes later.
- You're coordinating the rebuild yourself and want a licensed crew to handle the heavy part.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Send photos of the bathroom and a rough size and we'll send a same-day range.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
How a bathroom is demolished
- Protect the path. Floor protection from the front door to the bathroom, plastic zip walls at the door, and AC returns covered.
- Shut off and cap. Water off, supply lines capped, drains plugged so debris doesn't enter the pipes.
- Remove fixtures. Toilet, vanity, mirror, accessories, glass door.
- Wall tile and backer. Removed in sections down to the studs or block.
- Tub or shower pan. Steel and acrylic tubs come out whole or in pieces. Cast iron tubs are broken up or carried out by several people.
- Floor tile. Chipped up and the thinset ground off the slab, or the mortar bed broken out on older mud-set floors.
- Haul away and sweep. Debris goes in a dumpster or trailer the same day; the room is left broom-clean and ready for inspection.
What raises the demolition price
- Mud-set tile. Many homes built before the late 1980s have tile set in a thick mortar bed. Heavier and slower, which is why the range moves to $5.50–$8 per sq ft for floors.
- Cast iron tub. Very heavy; breaking it requires care near plumbing and tile you're keeping.
- Tile over tile. Two layers double the removal.
- Condo high-rise. Elevator booking, protection of hallways and long carry to the dumpster area add labor. Some buildings limit hours.
- Hidden damage. Rot, termite damage in wood framing, or a failed pan with wet framing gets found during demo. We stop, photograph it and price the fix before continuing.
South Florida conditions
Older materials. Some older floor tiles, adhesives and wall finishes may contain materials that need testing before demolition. Ask for a test when the house is older; if a test is positive, a licensed abatement contractor handles removal.
Condos. Associations usually require contractor approval, insurance certificates and noise-hour compliance. Some require a deposit for elevator use. See the condo renovation rules checklist.
Permits. Demo as part of a remodel falls under the remodel permit when one is required. Moving drains or valves, adding circuits or changing the layout typically needs a permit in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade; we pull it.
Humidity. Once the room is open, run the AC so framing and slab don't hold moisture before the rebuild.
Timeline
- Floor tile only: half a day to 1 day
- Shower only: 1 day
- Full bathroom gut: 1–2 days
- Master bath gut: 2–3 days
- Add time if hidden damage needs repair before rebuild
Tile removal and bathroom work by city
- Bathroom renovation in Fort Lauderdale
- Bathroom renovation in Tamarac
- Bathroom renovation in Pompano Beach
- Bathroom renovation in Boynton Beach
- Bathroom renovation in Hollywood
- Tile installation in Delray Beach
- Tile installation in Miramar
Related guides: Tile demolition: what to expect · Shower demolition and rebuild · Dustless tile removal
Prefer to send photos or plans? Send us your project
Bathroom demolition cost — FAQ
How much does it cost to demo a bathroom? $2,750–$4,250 for a typical full bathroom gut with haul-away, $4,250–$7,000 for a large master bath, and $1,250–$2,000 for a shower only.
How long does bathroom demolition take? One to two days for most bathrooms, two to three for a large master with a separate tub and shower.
Can I stay in the house during bathroom demo? Yes, in most cases. We seal the room with plastic, cover AC returns and protect the path to the door. Dustless grinding cuts most of the airborne dust.
What happens if you find damage behind the tile? We stop, send photos, explain the repair and its price, and continue only after your approval.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or send photos and rough dimensions through our project form. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.