Floor Demolition & Prep
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Old Floor Removal and Subfloor Prep, Done Right the First Time
Tear-out, haul-away, and subfloor leveling - the prep work that makes every new floor in Southeast Michigan look (and stay) perfectly flat.
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Floor demolition and subfloor prep in Southeast Michigan
A new floor is only as good as the subfloor under it. FSM | Flooring & Interiors handles every step before installation: old floor demolition, haul-away, dust control, moisture testing, and subfloor leveling - so your new floor lays flat, locks tight, and doesn't squeak two years later.
We work on every flooring type: glue-down tile, nailed-down hardwood, floating laminate, sheet vinyl, and bonded carpet. We arrive with the right gear (chipping hammers, ride-on scrapers, HEPA vacuums, self-leveler) and we leave the job photo-ready for the next crew - whether that's our own flooring installation team or another contractor.
What's included in our demo and prep service
We work to a fixed scope so there's no negotiating mid-project. Every demo and prep job includes the same baseline checklist.
- Full removal of existing flooring (tile, hardwood, vinyl, carpet, laminate)
- Plastic sheeting and HEPA vacuum dust control
- Old material haul-away and disposal
- Subfloor inspection for rot, mold, and structural issues
- Moisture testing with calibrated meters
- Self-leveling compound to flatten high and low spots
- Final sweep so the new-floor crew can start immediately
Special Financing Available*
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See design consultant for details.
View financing optionsWhy dust control matters more than people think
Old thinset, tile, and hardwood adhesives can contain silica, glue residue, and sometimes asbestos in Southeast Michigan homes built before 1990. We seal off work areas with plastic, run HEPA-filtered air scrubbers, and wear PPE - which is normal in commercial demo but rare in residential. The result is a job you can live next to without scrubbing dust out of your kitchen for weeks.
Subfloor leveling - the step most installers skip
A subfloor that's out of level by more than 1/8" over 6 feet will cause LVP and laminate joints to fail within months. Tile installed over an uneven slab will crack. We level every job to manufacturer-required tolerances using self-leveling underlayment, and we patch any soft spots before declaring the floor ready. It's the difference between a floor that lasts and one that gets pulled up again in three years.
Demolition and prep pricing in Southeast Michigan
Pricing per square foot, materials and labor included. Most jobs are quoted as a flat price after an in-home walk-through.
| Option | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet / laminate / floating floor removal | $1.25 - $2.00 / sq ft | Includes haul-away |
| Glue-down vinyl removal | $2.00 - $3.50 / sq ft | More labor-intensive |
| Tile + thinset removal (over wood subfloor) | $3.00 - $5.00 / sq ft | Heavy chipping required |
| Tile + thinset removal (over concrete slab) | $3.50 - $6.50 / sq ft | Ride-on scraper used |
| Self-leveling underlayment | $2.50 - $4.50 / sq ft | Only where needed |
Asbestos-containing flooring (pre-1990 homes) requires testing and licensed abatement, which we coordinate but don't perform in-house.
Floor Demolition & Prep - frequently asked questions
Yes - haul-away and disposal is included in the demo price. You won't see a single piece of old tile or carpet at the curb.
We use HEPA-filtered air scrubbers, plastic sheeting, and ground-source vacuums on chipping tools. Compared to a typical contractor demo, you'll see roughly 90% less dust in adjacent rooms.
We check during the free estimate. If your subfloor is within manufacturer tolerance (typically 1/8" over 6 feet), no leveling needed. If it's not, we quote the leveling separately so you can see the exact extra cost.
Vinyl tiles and mastic from before 1990 sometimes contain asbestos, which is common in older Southeast Michigan housing stock. We pause the job, send a sample for testing, and bring in a licensed abatement contractor if the test comes back positive. We then resume prep work once the area is cleared and move forward with your new flooring installation - and every prep job qualifies for financing alongside the rest of the project.
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The FSM | Flooring & Interiors Experience™
Book your mobile showroom visit
Pick a time that works for you - our mobile showroom comes to your door with samples in hand.
Expert advice & free quote
We measure every room, walk you through manufacturer-direct pricing, and leave a no-obligation quote on the spot.
Professional installation
Full-service install from prep to cleanup - we handle every detail.
Follow-up & support
We check in after install and stand by your floors for life.
Reviews
Southeast Michigan trusts FSM | Flooring & Interiors for all their flooring needs.
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Services
Our professional flooring installers are ready to help you with your next project.
See what we offer →What we stand for
Our core values
Family owned & operated We're a family- and locally-owned flooring company, and every project carries our name. You deal with the people who actually run the business, start to finish.
Manufacturer direct Buying direct from the mill means no showroom overhead and no retail markup - transparent pricing with no hidden fees, backed by our price match guarantee.
No pressure sales We believe in honest advice-not pushy sales. Our in-house design consultants help you make the right choice, at your pace.
Certified installation Every floor is installed by certified installers and backed by strong product and workmanship warranties, with fast turnaround and a spotless finish.
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Right around the corner
Devoted to serving families in Southeast Michigan
We support our beloved Southeast Michigan friends and neighbors by installing and repairing long-lasting floors. Our goal is to develop a true partnership with you, which means we're happy to help you with any job – no matter how big or small.
- New Boston, MI
- Belleville, MI
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Monroe, MI
- Flat Rock, MI
- Woodhaven, MI
- Brownstown, MI
- Trenton, MI
- Southgate, MI
- Taylor, MI
- Romulus, MI
- Wyandotte, MI
- Canton, MI
- Ypsilanti, MI
- Milan, MI
At FSM | Flooring & Interiors, we're known for having the best installation services alongside reliable customer service, that leaves you supported and cared for. People are what matter the most to us – both our employees and customers. We're looking to build life-long partnerships with you.
We are obsessed with customer service – because we know it's our number one differentiator from other flooring installers. We serve this area with complete focus on making it as easy as possible for you and keeping you posted on every element of your project throughout the process.
We love helping homeowners with flooring, furniture moving, and other home interior work. This specialization ensures the strongest level of expertise for any work we do – and helps you get the best deal for the price possible.
We do offer financing solutions and can work with you on different options. With financing, we offer a relatively straightforward process which allows homeowners support to complete a needed project even when you may not have cash on hand.
If you notice any damage to your flooring, promptly document the issue and contact us right away. Our team will assess the situation and ensure your floor is restored to its original, flawless condition!
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Jeremy Witte | CEO
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