Floor panel removal in Warsaw — fast and damage-free

Old laminate has buckled, cracked, or simply had its day — the first step to a new floor is a clean removal. It looks easy, but there are details: click-lock panels need to be dismantled in sequence, glued-down ones must be lifted without gouging the screed, and the underlay beneath usually needs removing too. We work across Warsaw — from Ochota to Targówek — and arrive with everything we need.

How much does it cost and what affects the price

Current prices are in the table below. The cost depends on the area, panel type (click-lock comes up faster, glue-down takes longer), and the condition of the subfloor. Waste removal is charged separately. If you want to lay a new floor straight away — combining both in one visit works out cheaper.

How the on-site work goes

1. The technician inspects the floor: panel type (click-lock, glue-down), skirting boards, subfloor condition.
2. Skirting boards are removed — if they are to be reused, they are carefully detached from the wall.
3. Removal starts from the far wall towards the door — click-lock panels are unclipped row by row.
4. The underlay is lifted and disposed of (unless it will be reused).
5. The subfloor is checked: cracks in the screed, unevenness, signs of moisture.
6. Waste is bagged and taken out (by arrangement).

Common mistakes during panel removal (and how to avoid them)

• Starting from the middle of the room — breaks the locking mechanisms, making the panels unusable.
• Levering glue-down panels with a crowbar — damages the screed, which then needs levelling.
• Not removing skirting boards first — the panels won’t come free and the locks snap.
• Leaving the old underlay under a new floor — it has already compressed and lost cushioning; the new laminate will creak.
• Not inspecting the screed after removal — moisture may have collected underneath, or mould may have formed.
• Throwing panels into general waste — laminate is classified as construction waste; Warsaw has disposal regulations.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• Clear furniture from the room or at least push it to one wall.
• Switch off underfloor heating if present — the heating cable can be damaged during removal.
• Decide whether you want to keep the panels for reuse.
• Agree on who takes out the waste: the technician (for an extra fee) or yourself.
• If you plan to lay a new floor straight away — buy the material in advance.
• Prepare heavy-duty waste bags.
• Provide access details: intercom, parking, floor number.
• Warn the neighbours — removing glued panels can be noisy.

A real case from Warsaw

A flat in Praga-Południe, 45 m² — the owners bought a resale property with 12-year-old laminate. The panels had buckled at doorways and in the hallway; click-locks had separated in several places. The technician removed the skirting boards and dismantled the laminate in under four hours. Underneath was an old polyethylene foam underlay that had flattened to almost nothing — he removed it completely. The screed was in decent shape apart from one hairline crack, which he patched with a rapid-set compound. The next morning the owners were already laying new vinyl plank flooring on a clean, level base. Takeaway: old laminate removal is not just ‘rip it up’ — it is about preparing the substrate for whatever comes next.

Frequently asked questions

Can I lay new laminate over the old?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The floor will be higher, doors may not open, and imperfections in the old layer will telegraph through.

How long does removal take?
Click-lock laminate — roughly 20–30 m² per hour. Glue-down — about half that speed. A 15 m² room takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Can the removed panels be reused?
Click-lock — yes, if the locking mechanism is intact. Glue-down — almost never.

Does the underlay need replacing?
Yes, old underlay loses its properties after 5–7 years. A new floor needs fresh underlay.

What do I do with the waste?
Laminate is construction waste. In Warsaw you can take it to a PSZOK facility or arrange removal with the technician.

Can the technician lay the new floor the same day?
Yes, if the subfloor is in good condition and the material is ready. Removal plus installation in one day is standard practice.

Who does the work

Floor removal is carried out by flooring specialists. We know how to dismantle every type of floor without damaging the substrate. We cover all of Warsaw — call or message us, we’ll assess the scope and find a convenient date.