Who removes and disposes of old flooring?

Old flooring is usually lifted (“uplift”) by whoever fits the new floor, and taken away for disposal if you ask, but neither should be assumed. Because the work and disposal vary by material, they’re normally itemised separately on a quotation. If you want the old floor lifted and removed, say so at the start so it’s included.

Before a new floor goes down, the old one generally has to come up. What happens to it afterwards, and who is responsible for it, is worth agreeing in advance so nothing is left in your hallway on fitting day.

What’s the difference between uplift and disposal?

• Uplift means lifting the existing flooring, and usually the old underlay, gripper, staples or trims, to leave the subfloor ready for the new floor.
• Disposal means taking that old material away from your home. It involves transport and waste costs, so it is normally quoted as its own line.

Some people ask for uplift only and dispose of the material themselves, for example by taking it to a council household waste recycling centre. Others want both handled. Either is fine as long as it’s agreed and written into the quotation; see what a flooring quotation should include.

Can I remove the old flooring myself?

Yes, and some people do to keep the job simpler. If you do:

• Leave the subfloor clean, with nails, staples, tacks and lumps of old adhesive removed or flattened.
• Check before removing gripper. On carpet jobs, existing gripper can sometimes be reused if it’s in good condition and in the right place. Ask first.
• Take care with sharp edges. Gripper and carpet tacks are sharp; gloves and knee pads help.
• Don’t remove anything you suspect contains asbestos (see below).
• Mention it when you ask for a quote, so the fitting is priced on a cleared floor.

What’s involved for each type of floor?

• Carpet and underlay: cut into strips, rolled and bagged. Underlay may be stapled or glued in places, and gripper is either checked for reuse or lifted.
• Laminate and click LVT: a floating floor can usually be unclicked or lifted in sections, along with its underlay and scotia.
• Sheet vinyl: loose-laid vinyl lifts easily; vinyl that is stuck down can be slow to remove and may leave a backing layer or adhesive behind.
• Glue-down LVT and tiles: usually the most labour-intensive. The adhesive left behind often needs scraping or grinding, and the floor may then need smoothing before anything new goes down. See LVT subfloor preparation.
• Ceramic or stone tiles: removal is heavy, noisy and dusty work and can damage the screed underneath, so it is often handled as a separate preparation job.

Can old flooring contain asbestos?

It can, in older properties. Some older thermoplastic and vinyl floor tiles, the adhesive used to fix them, and the backing on some old sheet vinyl may contain asbestos, particularly in buildings built or refurbished before 2000, when asbestos was banned in the UK. It is generally safe if left undisturbed, but breaking, scraping or sanding it can release fibres.

If you have small, square tiles (often 9 inch) or black bitumen-type adhesive under an old floor, don’t lift it until it has been checked. A sample can be tested by a specialist, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes guidance on asbestos in homes. Sometimes the safer option is to leave it in place and lay the new floor over it, if the floor is suitable.

Who is responsible for disposing of old flooring properly?

Whoever takes your old flooring away should be doing so legally. In England, businesses that carry waste need to be registered as waste carriers with the Environment Agency, and householders have a duty to take reasonable steps to make sure their waste goes to someone authorised to take it. It’s reasonable to ask anyone collecting your old flooring whether they are registered, and you can check the public register on GOV.UK.

Getting it included in your quote

When you ask for an estimate, or request a quote for our fitting-only service, tell us:

• what the existing floor is (carpet, laminate, vinyl, tiles)
• roughly how much there is, or which rooms
• whether you want it lifted, taken away, or both
• whether it’s stuck down, if you know

Handling uplift in the same visit as fitting is often the most efficient way, particularly in a rental property between tenancies; see our landlord flooring page and the landlord flooring checklist.

Common questions

Do carpet fitters take away old carpet?

Often, but not automatically. Taking away old carpet and underlay involves extra labour and disposal, so it’s usually agreed and itemised in advance rather than assumed.

Does uplift add time to the job?

Yes. Lifting a carpet is fairly quick, but glued floors can add a lot of time, and any preparation needed afterwards adds more. See how long flooring installation takes.

Who moves the furniture?

That’s a separate question from uplift; see does a carpet fitter move furniture.

Next step

Include uplift and disposal in your estimate request so it’s covered from the start, or request a home measure if you’re not sure what’s under the existing floor.