Tile Removal Campaign Checklist

A tile removal campaign needs more than shovels and willing hands. Before the first tile comes up, you need a work area, permission for street use, a waste container, tools, volunteers and a safe way to move broken tiles. This checklist takes you from choosing the date and informing neighbours to setting up work zones, giving safety instructions and levelling the cleared ground. Use it to keep the practical jobs in the right order and avoid arranging key supplies on the day itself.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set the date and area
2 people
Arrange permission for street use
Reserve a waste container
Order greenery
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Inform neighbors about the work
2 people
Mark planting beds and tiled areas
2 people
Check tools
2 people
Check power supply
Do the shopping
2 people
Collect plants and soil
2 people
Set out tools and materials
2 people

Event

Set up tables and tents
4 people
Close off work areas
3 people
Distribute tools per work area
3 people
Set up information table
2 people
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
Receive participants
3 people
Give safety instructions
2 people
Hand out work gloves
2 people
Loosen and remove tiles
12 people
Take tiles to the container
6 people
Level the cleared ground
5 people
Distribute compost and soil
5 people
Plant and sow
8 people
Water the new planting beds
3 people
Weigh and register tiles
2 people
Sort waste streams
2 people
Prepare barbecue
3 people
Prepare snacks and salads
3 people
Serving food
4 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Wash dishes
2 people
Turn on lighting
Thank participants
2 people

Aftercare

Sweep the work area
4 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Collect and remove waste
3 people
Clean tools
3 people
Store materials dry
2 people
Return rental items
2 people
Check the planting beds
2 people
Water new plantings
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 6

Equipment

Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Work lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6
Suitcase scale
Bluetooth speaker

Kitchen

Barbecueqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Scissorsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable glassesqty 60
Reusable coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 6

Sports equipment

Scoopsqty 8
Shovelsqty 6
Pickaxesqty 4
Rubber malletsqty 6
Crowbarsqty 4
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Bucketsqty 10
Work glovesqty 50
Safety gogglesqty 20
Knee padsqty 10
Measuring tapesqty 4
Spirit levelsqty 3
Rakeqty 4
Broomqty 4
Garden hosesqty 2
Plant shovelsqty 10
Pitchersqty 6
Tile carriersqty 4
Crowd control barriersqty 8
Conesqty 12
Warning tapeqty 4

Decorations

Information boardsqty 4
Directional signsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Handwashing sink
Towel dispensersqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Reserve the waste container before inviting volunteers. Tile removal creates heavy, bulky waste, so arrange where the container will stand and how tiles will reach it without crossing an active work area.
Check tools and power supplies at least one day before the campaign. Count shovels, pickaxes, crowbars, rubber mallets and wheelbarrows, then test extension cords, power strips and work lights.
Mark tiled areas and planting beds before participants arrive. Clear boundaries make it obvious where tiles should be removed and prevent plants, soil or finished beds from being damaged.
Set up separate work areas rather than one large pile of tools. Distribute gloves and the right tools per area, close off unsafe sections, and keep a clear route to the waste container.
Prepare refreshments and participant information before the start time. Coffee and tea in thermos flasks, reusable cups, water and a sign-in point prevent queues from forming around the work zones.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a tile removal campaign?: Start at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead. Use the first week to set the date, define the area and arrange street-use permission; reserve the waste container and recruit participants before the final week.
How many volunteers do I need for tile removal?: Plan work in groups of 3 to 5 people per work area: one or two people loosen tiles, others lift and move them. Add at least one coordinator for every 10 to 15 participants to handle safety, tools and questions.
When should the waste container arrive?: Arrange delivery before the campaign starts, ideally on the morning of the work or the previous day if the location is secure. Leave a clear route from the tiled areas to the container and confirm collection timing in advance.
What should happen before volunteers remove the first tile?: Set out tools and materials, close off the work areas, check lighting and power, and mark planting beds and tiled sections. Then give a short safety briefing and hand out work gloves before any tile is loosened.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.