I have a small section, about 40 sq. ft., of 3/4 oak strip floor that I need to remove before installing new tile & hardwood floors in my carpeted living room.

I'm going to be replacing the wood with tile (and replacing the carpet with wood). It will be in front of the door, similar to the picture below. I'll put 3/8 inch backer board under the tile (the floor installer said not to use just 1/4 inch).

I'm just wondering if the process of ripping up the existing wood floor will destroy the subfloor. The existing strip floor was installed over 3/4 plywood with cleats.

Other than a good crowbar, any hints on making the job go smoothly?

The wood should come up fairly easy. I have been using a 3ft Gorilla Bar. Use the floor joists as leverage points or slide a scrap of wood under the bar to keep from damaging the subfloor.

When I do a job like that I use 5/16" CBU made by Durock. That will flush you out with the new 3/4" hardwood flooring. A 1/4" is too thin and 3/8" is a little too high for me. Be sure to use thinset "under" the CBU and use the proper mesh tape over any seams before you tile. I will caution you not to use mastic or a "premixed" thinset when setting tile. They don't work on floor applications.