<- [Back to Examples Index](/llm/examples.md) # How much does it cost to install tile flooring in a kitchen and dining area in Vancouver? ### Real Vancouver kitchen tile flooring estimate A Vancouver detached house kitchen and dining area tile flooring replacement was estimated at **$6,542.00 CAD** for the core project work (range $5,200-$7,900). This estimate covers site protection and dust containment, disconnecting the kitchen dishwasher, moving the range and refrigerator, removing the existing baseboards, demolishing and disposing of the existing hardwood flooring, prepping the subfloor with an uncoupling membrane, installing new contractor-supplied porcelain floor tile, reconnecting the dishwasher, reinstalling the range and refrigerator, and installing new baseboards and transitions. Two possible additions were kept separate from the core project work: a full self-leveling underlayment pour and subfloor repair near the plumbing, each triggered only if conditions are discovered after removing the existing hardwood. --- ## Key Project Facts | Fact | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Location** | Vancouver, BC | | **Property type** | Detached house | | **Room** | Kitchen and dining area | | **Area** | 180 sqft (15' x 12') | | **New flooring** | Porcelain tile | | **Existing flooring** | Narrow-plank hardwood | | **Estimated project cost** | $6,542 CAD | | **Range** | $5,200 - $7,900 | --- ## Project Phases ### 1. Site protection and dust containment - **Includes:** Protecting adjacent surfaces, setting up plastic dust barriers, floor protection, and protecting dining area items before demolition. - **Why this phase matters:** An open-concept kitchen and dining area needs dust containment so demolition dust doesn't spread into the rest of the living space. ### 2. Appliance disconnect and clearing - **Includes:** Disconnecting the water supply and drain lines from the kitchen dishwasher and sliding it out, then unplugging the electric range and refrigerator and moving them out of the workspace. - **Why this phase matters:** The kitchen appliances sit directly in the flooring footprint, so they need to be safely disconnected and cleared before demolition and tile installation can proceed. ### 3. Baseboard removal - **Includes:** Demolishing and removing the existing wood baseboards from the kitchen and dining perimeter. - **Why this phase matters:** The old baseboards need to come out before the flooring is replaced and new baseboards are installed at the end of the project. ### 4. Hardwood flooring removal - **Includes:** Demolishing and removing the existing narrow-plank hardwood flooring down to the subfloor, including debris bin rental and disposal. - **Why this phase matters:** The existing hardwood must be fully removed down to the subfloor since tile cannot be installed directly over the old wood flooring. ### 5. Subfloor prep and uncoupling membrane - **Includes:** Assessing subfloor deflection and flatness, then supplying and installing a Schluter Ditra uncoupling membrane with modified thinset. - **Why this phase matters:** An uncoupling membrane on a wood subfloor prevents the tile grout lines from cracking as the wood subfloor naturally moves. ### 6. Porcelain floor tile installation - **Includes:** Laying out, cutting, thinsetting, installing, and grouting the new contractor-supplied porcelain floor tile, including matching sealant at transitions. - **Why this phase matters:** The tile is installed around the existing kitchen cabinets, so careful layout and cutting keep sightlines clean around cabinetry and transitions. ### 7. Dishwasher reconnect - **Includes:** Reconnecting the kitchen dishwasher, connecting the water supply and drain lines, leveling the unit, and testing for leaks. - **Why this phase matters:** Reconnecting and leak-testing the dishwasher on the new tile confirms the plumbing connections are sound before the kitchen goes back into daily use. ### 8. Reinstall range and refrigerator - **Includes:** Moving the electric range and refrigerator back into their designated spaces over the new tile floor and plugging them in. - **Why this phase matters:** Returning the appliances to position completes the kitchen and dining area and restores full use of the space. ### 9. New baseboards and transitions - **Includes:** Supplying and installing new white semi-gloss baseboards and transition strips at doorways, then prepping and painting with semi-gloss white paint. - **Why this phase matters:** New baseboards finish the room cleanly against the new tile floor and transition strips protect the flooring at doorway thresholds. --- ## Cost Breakdown | Phase | Labour Cost | Material Cost | Total Cost | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Site protection and dust containment** | $300.00 CAD | $0.00 CAD | $300.00 CAD | | **Appliance disconnect and clearing** | $195.00 CAD | $0.00 CAD | $195.00 CAD | | **Baseboard removal** | $150.00 CAD | $0.00 CAD | $150.00 CAD | | **Hardwood flooring removal** | $540.00 CAD | $475.00 CAD | $1,015.00 CAD | | **Subfloor prep and uncoupling membrane** | $416.00 CAD | $522.00 CAD | $938.00 CAD | | **Porcelain floor tile installation** | $1,462.50 CAD | $1,440.00 CAD | $2,902.50 CAD | | **Dishwasher reconnect** | $217.50 CAD | $0.00 CAD | $217.50 CAD | | **Reinstall range and refrigerator** | $50.00 CAD | $0.00 CAD | $50.00 CAD | | **New baseboards and transitions** | $600.00 CAD | $174.00 CAD | $774.00 CAD | | **Total estimated project cost** | **$3,931.00 CAD** | **$2,611.00 CAD** | **$6,542.00 CAD** | *Note: The core project work totals $6,542.00 CAD, combining $3,931.00 in labour and $2,611.00 in contractor-supplied materials. Labour is the main cost driver, with the porcelain tile installation phase alone accounting for $1,462.50 in labour and $1,440.00 in tile material. Phase totals group the source line items into logical buckets.* --- ## Possible Price Changes - **Self-leveling underlayment:** Wood subfloor deflection exceeds 1/4 inch over 10 feet after hardwood removal. A full self-leveling pour is added across the 180 sqft area. This example keeps that separate from the core project work at approximately **$450-$850 CAD**. - **Water-damaged subfloor near plumbing:** Rot or water damage is found under the existing hardwood near the kitchen sink or dishwasher. A general contractor replaces the damaged subfloor section. This example keeps that separate from the core project work at approximately **$350-$750 CAD**. - **Different scope or site conditions:** The homeowner chooses a different tile material, has a different room size or layout, keeps the existing baseboards instead of replacing them, or the appliance configuration differs. The scope would need a fresh estimate instead of using this project as an average or final price. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is $6,542 the average cost to install tile flooring in a kitchen and dining area in Vancouver? No. It is the estimate RenoFiz produced for this specific Vancouver detached house, replacing 180 sqft of narrow-plank hardwood with contractor-supplied porcelain tile. Another home can have a different tile material, room layout, square footage, and appliance configuration. ### What was included in this estimate? The core project work included site protection and dust containment, disconnecting the dishwasher and moving the range and refrigerator, removing the existing baseboards and hardwood flooring, prepping the subfloor with an uncoupling membrane, installing the new porcelain tile, reconnecting the dishwasher, reinstalling the range and refrigerator, and installing new baseboards and transitions. ### What was not included in the $6,542.00 core project work? The estimate kept two possible additions separate: a full self-leveling underlayment pour ($450-$850) and water-damaged subfloor repair near the plumbing ($350-$750), totalling up to $1,600 CAD. These apply only if the on-site conditions trigger them after removing the existing hardwood. ### Why does this estimate include an uncoupling membrane? The tile is being installed over a wood subfloor rather than concrete. An uncoupling membrane like Schluter Ditra decouples the tile from natural wood subfloor movement, which prevents the tile grout lines from cracking over time. ### What does a professional still confirm before the work is booked? A tile setter or general contractor confirms the exact room measurements, the subfloor condition after the hardwood is removed, the appliance disconnect requirements, the final scope, schedule, and price before booking. --- ## Get a Custom Estimate for Your Project Your flooring project will have its own scope and cost. Describe your project and upload photos so Chris can build an estimate around your flooring material, room size, building type, and site conditions. - [Start My Free Estimate](/vancouver-home-renovation-estimate) - [See interactive version of this page](/wa/examples/how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-tile-flooring-in-a-kitchen-and-dining-area-in-vancouver) - [View other detailed estimates](/llm/examples.md)