How much does it cost to remove old basement flooring and prep the concrete slab in Burnaby? We're looking at about 600 square feet and the existing vinyl is glued down pretty tight.

For a 600 sq ft glued-down vinyl removal and concrete prep in Burnaby, budget $1,500–$3,500 for the removal and prep work alone, depending on the adhesive type, slab condition, and whether asbestos testing is required first.

Here's why that range exists and what drives the cost.

Glued-down vinyl is the most labour-intensive flooring to remove. The vinyl itself peels up in sections, but the adhesive layer underneath — often a thick black mastic — bonds aggressively to concrete and doesn't come up cleanly. Contractors typically use floor scrapers (walk-behind machines for larger areas) to remove the bulk of it, followed by grinding or chemical stripping to get the slab smooth enough for new flooring. On 600 sq ft, expect 1–2 days of labour for a two-person crew.

The adhesive type matters enormously in Burnaby's older housing stock. Many post-war homes in Burnaby (1945–1975 era) used black cutback mastic, which contains asbestos. If your home was built before 1990 and you haven't tested the adhesive, stop before any removal begins. Asbestos-containing mastic cannot be dry-scraped — it requires wet methods and, depending on the concentration, may require a licensed abatement contractor. Testing runs $50–$150 per sample through a certified lab. Abatement for 600 sq ft of mastic can add $2,000–$6,000 to the project if the material tests positive. This is not optional — WorkSafeBC has strict requirements around asbestos disturbance.

What Concrete Prep Actually Involves

After the vinyl and adhesive are removed, the slab needs to be assessed and prepared for whatever goes on top. This typically includes:

Grinding high spots and adhesive residue using a concrete grinder with diamond tooling. For LVP or engineered flooring, the slab needs to be flat within 3/16 inch over 10 feet — any humps or ridges telegraph through the new floor.

Patching cracks and low spots with a self-levelling compound. In Burnaby, older slabs often have minor settlement cracks or surface deterioration. Small cracks get filled with epoxy or polyurethane; larger low areas get a skim coat of self-leveller at $3–$6 per square foot for the material and labour.

Moisture testing is critical before installing any new flooring in Metro Vancouver's climate. A concrete moisture test (calcium chloride or in-situ probe) tells you whether the slab is dry enough for your chosen flooring. LVP tolerates higher moisture than engineered hardwood — but if your slab is reading above 75% relative humidity, you need to address that before installing anything. Skipping this step is how homeowners end up with buckled floors and voided warranties six months later.

Practical Cost Breakdown for Your Project

For 600 sq ft in Burnaby with glued-down vinyl:

• Vinyl removal: $300–$600 (relatively quick once the adhesive is dealt with)
• Adhesive removal/grinding: $600–$1,500 (the bulk of the labour)
• Crack patching and self-levelling: $400–$1,200 depending on slab condition
• Asbestos testing (if pre-1990 home): $50–$150 per sample
• Asbestos abatement (if required): $2,000–$6,000 additional

Most contractors in Burnaby will quote this as a combined scope rather than line-iteming each step, so get at least two quotes and ask specifically whether their price includes adhesive removal, grinding, and basic patching — or just the vinyl peel-up.

This is professional work, not a DIY project if there's any chance of asbestos-containing mastic. Even without asbestos, walk-behind floor grinders and commercial scrapers are specialized equipment, and improper prep is the number one cause of new flooring failures in Metro Vancouver's humid climate.

Need help finding a basement contractor in Burnaby for your flooring prep? Vancouver Basement Finishing can match you with local professionals through the Vancouver Construction Network — get started at vancouverconstructionnetwork.com/directory?trade=basement-renovations.