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Is your wood floor bubbling up after the rainy season, eaten through by termites, or are you renovating and need the whole floor replaced? Whatever the reason, removing a wood floor the right way directly determines the quality of the new floor that goes down afterward. Doing it wrong can damage the concrete slab underneath, cut through wiring embedded in the floor, or ruin boards that were still perfectly usable.
Sai Gon Home Repair 247 provides a reliable, transparently priced wood floor removal service at your home in Ho Chi Minh City.
📞 Hotline/Zalo: 0707 759 247 — Free consultation 24/7, technician arrives within 2 hours
1. Wood Floor Removal Price List, February 2026
| Floor Type | Installation Method | Removal Price (VND/m²) | Reusable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Click-lock engineered wood flooring | Click / Uniclic | 15,000 – 25,000 | Yes (60–80%) |
| Glue-down engineered wood flooring | Fully glued | 25,000 – 40,000 | Low (20–30%) |
| Nailed/screwed natural wood flooring | Nails, screws | 30,000 – 50,000 | Yes (70–90%) |
| Click-lock wood-look vinyl flooring | Click | 15,000 – 20,000 | Low |
| Glue-down wood-look vinyl flooring | Glued | 20,000 – 30,000 | No |
| Outdoor wood flooring / stair treads | Screws, nails | 35,000 – 80,000/step | Depends on condition |
Possible additional costs:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Removing residual adhesive from the subfloor | 10,000 – 20,000 VND/m² |
| Collecting and transporting old wood | 5,000 – 15,000 VND/m² |
| Grinding the subfloor smooth after removal | 20,000 – 35,000 VND/m² |
| Moving furniture | 100,000 – 500,000 VND/room |
| Outer-district surcharge | 100,000 – 200,000 VND |
| After-hours surcharge (after 6 PM, weekends) | 100,000 – 150,000 VND |
Real-world examples:
- 20 m² bedroom, click-lock floor: 20 m² × 20,000 VND = 400,000 VND
- 30 m² living room, glued floor + collection fee: 30 m² × 40,000 VND + 15,000 VND/m² = 1,650,000 VND
- 80 m² apartment, glued vinyl floor: 80 m² × 25,000 VND = 2,000,000 VND
Note: Prices exclude VAT. 10% off for 50 m² and above, 15% off for 100 m² and above. Free site survey and quote.
2. When Do You Need Wood Floor Removal?
Damaged flooring that needs replacing: Bubbling after the rainy season, termite damage underneath, extensive cracking that looks unsightly, or discoloration that can no longer be restored by refinishing. This is the most common reason — continuing to use a damaged floor isn’t just unattractive, it also lets moisture and mold spread further.
Full renovation or repair work: Waterproofing a basement requires stripping the entire old subfloor, repairing wiring or plumbing embedded in the floor, or redesigning the space with a different flooring type. Many households also remove an old wood floor to upgrade from engineered wood to premium natural wood.
Moving out or handing over premises: A click-lock floor is a tenant’s own property and can be removed and taken along when moving, if done with the correct technique. Many office tenants also need to remove flooring to hand back the premises in their original condition.
Deep cleaning or termite treatment: Removing the floor gives access to the void space underneath, allowing thorough termite and mold treatment that isn’t possible while the floor stays intact.
3. Floor Types and the Corresponding Removal Technique
This is the most important thing many people overlook. Each floor type requires a completely different removal technique. Using the wrong method can damage both the floor and the subfloor.
3.1. Click-Lock Engineered Wood Flooring (Click / Uniclic)
How to identify it: Tapping it produces a hollow sound (there’s an underlayment beneath). The boards connect via a 4-sided click-lock system, with no glue or nails. This is the most common type in Ho Chi Minh City apartments today.
Removal technique:
- Start removing from the row farthest from the door, working toward the door
- Lift the corner of the board 30–45 degrees and pull gently sideways to release the lock
- If stuck: tap gently with a rubber mallet against a wood buffer block — never use force
- Stack the boards in order if they’ll be reused
Difficulty: Low | Time for 20 m²: 1–1.5 hours | Reuse rate: 60–80%
3.2. Glue-Down Engineered Wood Flooring
How to identify it: Tapping it produces a solid sound (glued directly to the concrete subfloor). There are no gaps between boards. Common in projects installed before 2015. Prying up a board reveals a yellow/gray adhesive layer on the underside.
Removal technique — the most difficult:
- Use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the adhesive for 30–60 seconds (holding it 5–10cm away) before prying
- Insert a specialized paint scraper into the gap and push gradually along the length of the board
- Never yank hard — the board will snap immediately
- Once all boards are removed: use a grinder or solvent to clear remaining adhesive from the subfloor
Difficulty: Very high | Time for 20 m²: 3–4 hours | Requires a professional — not a DIY job
3.3. Nailed/Screwed Natural Wood Flooring
How to identify it: Boards are 15–20mm thick and heavy. Nail or screw heads may be visible on the edges or surface. Tapping produces a distinctively solid sound.
Two installation types and their removal methods:
Installed directly on the subfloor: Use a grinder to flatten nail/screw heads → pry the board up with a crowbar → each board has 3–5 nails/screws to deal with.
Installed on a wood frame: Remove the flooring first → the frame is exposed → remove the frame separately. Two layers means double the time.
Note: Natural wood boards are heavy — two people are needed for boards longer than 1.5m.
Difficulty: Medium–High | Time for 20 m²: 2–3 hours | Reuse rate: 70–90%
3.4. Wood-Look Vinyl Flooring (SPC / WPC)
How to identify it: Thin, lightweight boards with a printed wood-grain surface. The click-lock type is removed the same way as engineered wood. The glue-down type uses a heat gun to lift it, similar to glued wood flooring.
Special note: Vinyl flooring scratches very easily during removal, and the reuse rate is low. It’s usually more practical to replace it entirely rather than try to save the boards.
Difficulty: Low–Medium | Time for 20 m²: 0.5–1.5 hours
4. Our Professional 6-Step Wood Floor Removal Process
Step 1: Remote Consultation & Preliminary Quote
When you contact us by hotline or Zalo, our staff will ask about the floor type, area, purpose of removal, and current condition. Handy tip: Send 2–3 photos of your floor via Zalo — our technicians can identify the floor type and give a preliminary quote right away, without waiting for a site visit.
Free consultation available 24/7, with no obligation.
Step 2: On-Site Survey & Detailed Quote
A technician visits your home with measuring tools and an electrical/pipe detector. The survey covers:
- Accurately identifying the floor type and installation method
- Measuring the actual floor area (not the area listed on the property title)
- Important: Using a wire detector to locate embedded electrical wiring and water pipes
- Checking the condition of the concrete subfloor underneath (hollow spots, water damage)
- Assessing how much of the old floor can be reused
- Providing a detailed, itemized quote — no surprise costs after signing
Free survey, no obligation.
Step 3: Site Preparation & Area Protection
Moving furniture: Our technicians help move items out of the room (or you can prepare in advance to save on cost). Trolleys and cardboard sheeting are used to avoid scratching hallway flooring. Photos of the existing furniture condition are taken before work begins.
Covering the work area:
- Plastic sheeting is laid down to stop dust spreading to other rooms
- Windows are opened for ventilation, to avoid wood dust buildup
- The breaker for the work area is switched off
Step 4: Removing Baseboards & Transition Strips
This step determines whether the old floor can be reused and whether the wall paint stays intact.
Removing baseboards:
- Use a box cutter to score the silicone seam between the wall and the baseboard first — never pry it off directly
- Pry gently from one end with a small crowbar, working in 30–50cm sections
- PVC baseboards break easily: work slowly and carefully
- Number each piece by position if it’s going to be reused
Removing transition strips: Remove screws or pry it up depending on the type, keeping it if it’s still in good condition.
Step 5: Removing Each Board With the Correct Technique
Rules that can’t be skipped:
- Always remove starting from the row farthest from the door, working back toward the door
- Never stand on boards that have already been detached
- Stack each board neatly right after removing it
Follow the technique appropriate to each floor type (as detailed in the section above).
Handling special cases:
- Bubbled or rotted flooring: comes up easily by hand, no heavy tools needed
- Floors with termite damage: wrap it in a plastic bag immediately upon removal, to stop the termites from spreading
- Areas near outlets or vents: remove the last section by hand, without a crowbar
Step 6: Cleaning the Subfloor & Handover
Treating the subfloor after removal:
- Collecting all nails, screws, wood scraps, and leftover adhesive
- Vacuuming wood dust with an industrial vacuum
- Inspecting the subfloor: reporting immediately if there are cracks, hollow spots, or water damage
- Grinding down any rough spots (if included in the contract)
Sorting the old wood as agreed:
- Kept for the customer (neatly stacked and bundled) — if the flooring is still reusable
- Transported to a location of the customer’s choosing
- Taken away by our crew for disposal (charged separately for transport)
Handover: Photos are taken of the subfloor after removal, the customer inspects it together with our technician, a handover form is signed, and a warranty document is issued.
5. Treating the Subfloor After Removal — A Step You Can’t Skip
Many people finish removing their wood floor but skip subfloor treatment, causing the new floor to fail early — sometimes within just 6–12 months.
Common issues and solutions:
| Issue | Sign | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Residual adhesive | Rough, yellow/gray surface | Mechanical grinding or a specialized solvent |
| Hollow subfloor (damaged mortar layer) | Hollow sound when tapped | Break out and re-patch |
| Damp subfloor | Damp patches, mold | Waterproofing before laying new flooring |
| Uneven subfloor | Deviation >3mm/2m | Self-leveling compound |
| Nails/screws left in the subfloor | Protruding | Pull out or flatten the heads |
Three required standards before laying new flooring:
- Flatness: Maximum deviation of 3mm over a 2m span (measured with a level)
- Moisture: Below 75% RH (measured with a specialized meter) — engineered wood flooring is extremely sensitive to moisture
- Timing: A newly patched subfloor needs at least 28 days to fully dry before laying new flooring
Should you reuse your old wood floor?
For a click-lock floor in good condition (no bubbling, no broken locks): definitely worth keeping. Reuse rate is 60–80% if removed with the correct technique. That saves 120,000–500,000 VND/m² in new material cost — a 20 m² room saves 2.4–10 million VND.
For nailed natural wood flooring: worth keeping and refinishing — good-quality natural wood can last another 20–30 years after refinishing. For glue-down flooring: almost never reusable, since the adhesive residue on the underside throws off the click-lock alignment.
6. Risks of Removing a Wood Floor Yourself
6.1. Cutting Embedded Electrical Wiring — the Most Dangerous Risk
Many apartments in Ho Chi Minh City have electrical wiring and AC condensate lines running under the floor. Using a crowbar in the wrong spot can sever a wire, causing a fire hazard or electric shock. Required precaution: Switch off the breaker first, and use a wire/pipe detector to locate everything before prying anything up.
6.2. Damaging the Concrete Subfloor — a Costly Mistake
Prying up a glue-down floor with brute force can tear up the mortar or concrete surface layer along with it, leaving holes and gouges in the subfloor. Repair cost: 150,000–300,000 VND/m². For a 20 m² room, the damage can run 3–6 million VND, all from skipping the adhesive heating step.
6.3. Breaking the Click-Lock by Removing It the Wrong Way
A click-lock joint only releases in one direction. Forcing it the wrong way breaks the lock, making the board unusable for reinstallation. Always identify the correct removal direction first, testing on 1–2 boards before doing the rest.
6.4. Scratched Walls, Chipped Baseboard Paint
PVC baseboards break very easily if removed without scoring the silicone seam first. Chipped wall paint is difficult to fix and looks unsightly. Always score the silicone first — it only takes 2 minutes but prevents avoidable damage.
6.5. Wood Dust Spreading Everywhere
Wood dust is extremely fine and will spread throughout the space if the area isn’t covered. This is especially risky for households with young children or anyone with a respiratory condition. Solution: Cover doorways with plastic sheeting, wear an N95 mask, and run a vacuum simultaneously while removing the floor.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does wood floor removal cost per square meter?
Click-lock flooring: 15,000–25,000 VND/m². Glue-down flooring: 25,000–40,000 VND/m². Nailed natural wood flooring: 30,000–50,000 VND/m². Old wood transport fees are not included.
2. How long does it take to remove 20 m² of wood flooring?
Click-lock flooring: 1–1.5 hours. Glue-down flooring: 3–4 hours. Natural wood flooring: 2–3 hours.
3. Can the removed flooring be reused?
Click-lock flooring: yes, at a 60–80% rate. Glue-down flooring: almost never. Nailed natural wood flooring: 70–90% if the wood is still in good condition.
4. Do I need to move my furniture beforehand?
Ideally, yes. If you can’t, our technicians can help, with an additional charge of 100,000–500,000 VND depending on the amount of furniture.
5. Will removal damage the concrete subfloor?
If done with the correct technique, a click-lock floor won’t affect the subfloor. Glue-down flooring requires heating the adhesive first — an inexperienced technician can tear up the surface mortar layer.
6. Do you remove leftover adhesive from the subfloor?
Yes — it’s optional, with a separate fee of 10,000–20,000 VND/m². Afterward, the subfloor is smooth and flat, ready for new flooring.
7. Do you take on removal jobs in apartment buildings?
Yes. We follow building work-hour regulations (7 AM–5 PM), clean up thoroughly right away, and avoid disturbing neighbors.
8. Do you handle urgent/emergency removal requests?
Yes, we’re available 24/7. After-hours surcharge: 100,000–150,000 VND.
9. My home has wiring embedded in the floor — can it still be removed?
Yes. Our technicians use a wire detector to locate everything before removal — ensuring complete safety.
10. How does payment work?
Payment is made after the work is complete and you’ve confirmed you’re satisfied. No deposit is required for orders under 2 million VND. We accept cash and bank transfer.
8. Why Choose Sai Gon Home Repair 247?
10+ years of experience: Established in 2015, with more than [FIGURE MISSING IN SOURCE — please confirm this number] m² of wood flooring successfully removed across Ho Chi Minh City. 97% satisfaction rate, 82% repeat customer rate.
Wood floor specialists: Not general handymen. Our crew is trained specifically for each floor type — engineered wood, natural wood, and vinyl flooring. Each technician has 7–15 years of experience.
Embedded wire detection equipment: We come equipped with a wire and pipe detector — something most small independent contractors don’t have. This equipment protects the safety of both our customers and our technicians.
Upfront pricing, no surprises: A published price list, with a detailed itemized quote given before work starts. A clear contract is signed. No unexpected costs after the job is done.
High floor-reuse rate: Our correct technique helps preserve 60–80% of the old flooring. For a 20 m² room, that saves customers an additional 2–10 million VND in new material costs.
Thorough cleanup: We hand over a clean site, ready for new flooring to be laid. No wood dust, nails, screws, or leftover adhesive left behind.
3–12 month warranty: Free repairs if the subfloor is damaged due to a technical error on our part. 100% compensation for damage caused by technician error.
9. Service Area
Sai Gon Home Repair 247 serves all of Ho Chi Minh City — inner districts (District 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh, Tan Phu, Go Vap, Binh Tan, Thu Duc City) and outer districts (Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Nha Be, Can Gio). We also serve Long An, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai with a travel surcharge.
Inner districts: Technician arrives within 1–2 hours, free travel.
Outer districts & neighboring provinces: Surcharge of 100,000–300,000 VND depending on distance.
Sai Gon Home Repair 247 — more than 7 years of experience in repair and renovation in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Hotline: 0707 759 247
- English support: 033 939 0325
- English & Korean support: 076 806 7114
- Email: snsaigon247@gmail.com
- Zalo: 0707759247
- Address: No. 150 Tran Nao Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Contact us for an on-site survey and advice on the right solution for your home.
