Demolition & Site Preparation
Interior Demolition
Selective interior demolition, strip-outs and gut renovations – carefully planned so what stays is protected and what goes is removed cleanly.
Overview
Interior demolition is the first physical step of most renovations, and it sets the tone for everything after it. Done carelessly, it damages finishes that were meant to stay, spreads dust through the rest of the building, and cuts into pipes or wiring nobody expected. Done carefully, it exposes existing conditions cleanly and gives the trades a sound starting point.
We plan interior demolition from the drawings: what is removed, what is protected, what is salvaged, and which walls, pipes and circuits must be confirmed before anything is cut. Specialist demolition trade partners do the work under our supervision, with utilities shut off and made safe by licensed electrical and plumbing partners where needed.
The scope ranges from selective demolition – a single kitchen or bathroom, a wall between two rooms – to a full gut renovation or a commercial strip-out back to the shell.
Who it’s for
- Kitchen and bathroom renovations that remove cabinetry, tile, fixtures and drywall
- Whole-home gut renovations taking interiors back to framing or block
- Commercial tenants or landlords stripping out a space for a new build-out
- Projects removing walls to open up a layout, after engineering confirms which walls can go
- Homes where water or mold-affected materials need to be removed before rebuilding
What’s included
Typically included
- A demolition plan marking items to remove, protect and salvage
- Floor, wall and finish protection in areas that remain, plus dust barriers and negative-air setups where specified
- Coordination of utility shutoffs and make-safe work with licensed electrical and plumbing partners
- Selective removal of cabinetry, countertops, tile, flooring, drywall, ceilings and fixtures
- Full strip-out to framing, block or shell for gut renovations and commercial spaces
- Removal of non-structural walls, and of structural walls only to an engineer’s design
- Salvage and careful removal of items you plan to reuse or donate
- Daily cleanup, debris loading and hauling coordination
- Documentation of conditions found after demolition, such as damage or undocumented work
Common exclusions
- Asbestos, lead-based paint or mold abatement, which must be performed by appropriately licensed abatement contractors and is priced separately
- Repair of hidden damage found during demolition, which is documented and priced once exposed
- Structural engineering for load-bearing walls, coordinated as a separate scope
- Dumpster and disposal costs, when they are priced as a separate hauling scope
Every proposal lists its own inclusions and exclusions in writing.
Materials, design options & upgrades
How pricing works
Interior demolition is priced per project, based on the areas involved, the materials being removed, how much protection and dust control is needed, and the debris volume. We walk the space and build the estimate from a room-by-room scope rather than a single area rate, because tile on a mortar bed and drywall over studs are very different amounts of work.
As part of a renovation, demolition is priced within the renovation budget. Hidden conditions are a known risk, so we explain how anything found behind walls or under floors will be documented and priced.
What changes the cost
- Areas and materials to be removed, such as tile on mortar beds, plaster, or heavy stone
- Whether the building is occupied and how much protection and dust control is needed
- Utility disconnects, capping and make-safe work
- Salvage requirements
- Access for removing debris, including stairs, elevators and distance to the dumpster
- Debris volume and disposal requirements
- Testing results for asbestos or lead in older buildings
If this work is part of a larger project, it’s priced within that project’s budget — please don’t add separate estimates together. Read the pricing guide.
Typical stages
Scope and testing
The demolition scope is marked from the drawings and, in older buildings, materials are tested for hazardous content where appropriate.
Permits and approvals
Any required demolition or renovation permit, and HOA or building-management approval, is obtained.
Protection and shutoffs
Remaining areas are protected, dust barriers set up, and utilities shut off and made safe by licensed partners.
Removal
Materials are removed in sequence, with salvage items taken out first.
Cleanup and documentation
Debris is hauled, the area is cleaned, and exposed conditions are documented for the design team.
What affects the schedule
- Hazardous-material testing and any abatement needed before demolition
- Permit and HOA or building-management approvals
- Building rules on work hours, elevator use and noise in condos and commercial buildings
- Utility shutoff coordination
- Conditions found during demolition that need engineering or redesign
Questions & answers
Can I live in my home during interior demolition?
For selective demolition, often yes, with dust barriers and protected paths. For a gut renovation, most owners move out, since utilities may be off and the work is extensive.
What if you find something unexpected behind the walls?
We stop, document it with photos and notes, and explain the options and cost before proceeding. Common findings include water damage, termite damage or undocumented wiring.
Does my older home need asbestos testing?
For older buildings, testing suspect materials such as some flooring, ceiling textures and drywall compounds before demolition is a sensible precaution and may be required. If anything tests positive, a licensed abatement contractor handles removal.
Start here
Planning interior demolition?
A short form — three steps, a few minutes. Share plans or photos if you have them. We’ll review it and follow up using the contact details you provide.