Preparing for an Interior Demolition Project

A clean demolition day starts a week before the demolition.

1. Confirm the scope in writing

Before anything comes down, know exactly which rooms, which walls, which floors. Non-load-bearing walls only, and only after an assessment — if a wall holds anything up, it is not a demolition decision, it is an engineering decision.

2. Deal with utilities first

Water, gas, electrical and HVAC lines run inside walls. Shut off and tag what needs shutting off, and have your electrician or plumber confirm anything that will be cut or capped. This is the step people skip and regret.

3. Ask about permits

Requirements vary by town and by scope. Check with your town's code office before the schedule is set so the work is not paused mid-project.

4. Clear the path

We protect floors and doorways on the way out, but we need a route. Remove personal belongings, wall hangings and anything fragile from the work area and the hallway outside it.

5. Protect what stays

Furnace, water heater, finished floors in adjacent rooms, stair railings. Cover or move what you want untouched.

6. Decide on the disposal plan

Debris has to go somewhere. We haul as part of the job so it does not sit in your yard — confirm this before work starts rather than after.

The day of

Have someone available to answer questions on site, keep pets and kids clear of the work zone, and expect noise and dust. Done right, demolition is the cleanest part of a renovation.