The word demolition can describe several very different scopes. A complete knockdown removes an existing building or substantial structure. Partial demolition removes defined sections while other parts remain. An internal strip-out clears selected finishes, fixtures or partitions from a retained shell. Selective demolition targets individual elements so a renovation, extension or commercial fit-out can proceed.

Understanding this distinction matters because each scope creates different questions about structure, protection, access, waste and services. Removing kitchen cabinetry is not the same as altering a wall. Taking out floor finishes is different from disturbing the substrate beneath them. Clearing a vacant retail tenancy also requires a different plan from working beside an operating business.

Our demolition service is shaped around the actual property and the intended outcome. Before removal starts, the scope should identify what will be removed, what will remain and what condition the work area must be left in. Prahran residents should also clarify whether reusable fixtures are to be retained, set aside or treated as demolition material.

Common forms of demolition work

• Full demolition: removal of an entire building or structure, subject to the assessments, approvals and specialist input that apply to the site.
• Partial demolition: removal of a defined section, such as part of a roof, wall, rear structure or extension interface.
• Internal strip-out: removal of non-structural partitions, cabinetry, ceilings, flooring, fixtures and services-connected items where included.
• Wet-area strip-out: clearing a bathroom, ensuite, laundry or commercial amenities area before plumbing, waterproofing and finishing work.
• Selective removal: carefully taking out nominated elements while protecting surrounding finishes and retained construction.
• Fit-out preparation: returning a tenancy to an agreed condition or clearing it for a new office, retail, hospitality or professional fit-out.

A written removal and retention schedule is useful even for a small project. It can list walls, doors, joinery, appliances, sanitary fixtures, lights, floor coverings and ceiling elements. It should also state which areas are excluded. This reduces assumptions and gives everyone a clearer basis for comparing quotations.

Demolition should be coordinated with the work that follows. A strip-out for home renovations may need to expose framing and services for assessment. Preparation for shop fit-outs may need to preserve base-building systems or landlord-owned elements. Defining the next stage early helps avoid unnecessary removal and repeated handling.

A demolition quotation is only as useful as the scope behind it. Phrases such as remove existing interior or clear the bathroom can leave important questions unanswered. A practical scope states what is removed, what remains, what requires protection, who coordinates connected services and what preparation is included after removal.

We recommend separating the scope into room-by-room or zone-by-zone schedules. In a Prahran home, the kitchen schedule might list cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks, appliances, flooring and a nominated partition. It should state whether cornices, windows, adjacent floorboards and doors remain. In a commercial tenancy, the schedule may cover counters, displays, partitions, ceilings, floor finishes, signage and back-of-house fixtures.

What a removal schedule should clarify

• The exact rooms, tenancy zones or external structures included.
• Fixtures, finishes, fittings and building elements to be removed.
• Items to be retained in place, protected or carefully set aside.
• Known service connections and who is responsible for isolation or disconnection.
• Structural assumptions and any required consultant assessment.
• Access paths, common property and areas requiring temporary protection.
• Waste handling responsibilities and practical collection arrangements.
• The expected condition of walls, floors, ceilings and substrates after removal.
• Whether temporary making-safe work or preparation for following trades is included.
• Any exclusions, concealed conditions and decisions that remain subject to inspection.

The retained-item list deserves the same attention as the removal list. A client may want original doors, decorative features, appliances or sanitary fixtures kept. These items can require careful disconnection, labelling, handling and storage. They should not be assumed to be ordinary demolition waste.

Protection must also be specific. Saying protect existing areas may not identify which floors, lifts, corridors, façades or neighbouring rooms are involved. The route used to move debris can be just as important as the demolition zone itself, particularly in shared or occupied Prahran buildings.

The final condition should be measurable in practical terms. Ready for the next trade may mean exposed framing for assessment, a cleared slab for layout work or a stripped wet area ready for substrate repairs. It does not have one universal meaning. We define it against the planned renovation work, extension or office fit-out so the handover between stages is clearer.

Residential demolition in Prahran often forms the first physical stage of a renovation or extension. The work may involve clearing dated finishes, stripping wet areas, removing cabinetry, opening selected zones for reconfiguration or preparing the interface between the existing house and a proposed addition. The objective is not removal for its own sake. It is to create the right starting point for rebuilding.

Planning begins with the proposed layout. If the new design keeps plumbing, doors and major walls in similar positions, removal may be relatively contained. If the layout changes, demolition can expose framing, substrates and services that need assessment before the new work proceeds. Existing drawings help, but onsite conditions still need to be checked.

Kitchen strip-outs

A kitchen strip-out can include cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, splashbacks, floor finishes and selected wall or ceiling elements. Connected appliances and plumbing fixtures require coordinated isolation or disconnection. The scope should state whether old fixings, adhesive, wall linings and flooring substrates are removed or left for another trade.

The replacement design affects how the old kitchen is taken out. Keeping the existing layout may allow some service positions to remain useful. A new island, relocated sink or changed appliance arrangement may require more extensive access to floors, walls or ceilings. Reviewing what happens during a kitchen renovation before demolition helps align both stages.

Bathroom, ensuite and laundry strip-outs

Wet-area demolition needs particular care because finishes conceal waterproofing layers, plumbing and substrate conditions. The scope may include tiles, screeds, wall linings, baths, showers, vanities and sanitary fixtures. Once exposed, damaged or unsuitable substrates may need attention before replacement waterproofing and finishes can begin.

The proposed bathroom layout should be known before removal. Changing a shower, bath, basin or toilet position can affect drainage, water supply and floor preparation. Demolition should provide the access required without assuming every concealed condition is known. Our bathroom renovation service and guide to what happens during a bathroom renovation explain the stages that follow.

Internal reconfiguration

Removing partitions can make a home feel more open, but not every wall is purely non-structural. Walls may support loads, brace the building or contain services. Even a lightweight partition can carry power, plumbing or communications. Assessment should occur before removal, especially where the proposed opening changes the way rooms connect.

Other details also matter. Cornices may run differently on each side of a wall. Flooring may stop at the old partition. Ceiling levels can vary. The demolition scope should acknowledge the repair and finishing consequences rather than treating the wall as an isolated element.

Extension preparation

Preparing for an extension may involve removing a rear wall, roof section, paving, deck, outbuilding or finishes at the connection point. Sequencing is critical because the existing home may need temporary weather protection or controlled access during the transition. Structural design and construction planning should guide removal.

Some Prahran residents remain in part of the home while work occurs. Whether this is practical depends on the scale, services, access and separation available. A staged approach may preserve essential facilities for a period, but it can also increase handling and coordination. Our guide to staying in a home during major renovation outlines questions worth considering.

Residential demolition works well when it is planned as part of the complete construction sequence. This allows decisions about retained floors, temporary access, service outages and material movement to be addressed before they affect the household or following trades.

Commercial demolition often involves clearing an existing fit-out so a tenancy can be returned, reconfigured or prepared for a new business. In Prahran, this may apply to a shop, office, café, restaurant, clinic, salon or professional workspace. The physical removal is only one part of the task. Building access, landlord conditions, shared services and surrounding operations can shape the programme.

A strip-out may remove counters, displays, joinery, internal partitions, floor finishes, ceiling elements, equipment and signs. However, some items can belong to the base building and must remain. Fire systems, mechanical services, switchboards, amenities or shopfront elements may serve more than one area or be governed by tenancy conditions. Responsibility should be confirmed before work begins.

Tenancy and landlord requirements

Commercial tenants should review their lease obligations, approved plans and any make-good requirements. The required end condition might be a cleared shell, a defined base-building standard or preparation for an immediate replacement fit-out. These outcomes are not interchangeable. Written agreement helps avoid removing an element that should remain or leaving work that another party expected to be included.

Our guide to what tenants should confirm with their landlord before a fit-out provides a useful starting point. Where approvals or building management procedures apply, they should be confirmed for the specific property rather than assumed from the Prahran address alone.

Access, loading and common areas

Commercial buildings may control loading times, lift use, waste movement and contractor access. A tenancy with rear loading can operate differently from a shopfront where materials must move through a shared path. Corridors, lifts, foyers and pavements outside the tenancy may require protection or coordination.

Material movement should be planned before demolition starts. The route affects labour, equipment selection, packaging, temporary storage and the rate at which debris can leave the work zone. If collection vehicles cannot remain close to the property, handling can become a significant part of the scope.

Operating businesses and neighbouring tenancies

Some strip-outs take place beside active businesses or within partly occupied premises. Staging, work-zone separation and agreed operating hours can reduce conflict, but they may extend the programme or require repeated setup. Noise, dust, service outages and shared access need practical discussion with the relevant parties.

After-hours work may be considered in some commercial settings, depending on building rules, surrounding uses, access and the agreed scope. It should not be assumed. Restrictions can affect labour arrangements, supervision, transport and cost.

Preparation for the replacement fit-out

The future fit-out should guide the strip-out. A hospitality venue may require close attention to plumbing, drainage, power, ventilation and equipment locations. An office may prioritise ceilings, lighting, data pathways and meeting-room partitions. A medical or professional space may have its own service, privacy and durability requirements.

Reviewing the distinction between commercial strip-out and demolition helps establish the right terminology. Our high-end shop fit-out service, hospitality fit-outs and office fit-outs can then be considered as separate construction stages. Coordinated planning reduces duplicated handling and gives following trades a clearer starting point.

Access is a major demolition cost and planning factor. A clear ground-level route can allow materials to leave a property efficiently. Stairs, narrow passages, internal corridors, shared entries and distant loading points can require smaller loads, more manual handling and additional protection. These conditions should be visible in the agreed scope.

Prahran includes varied residential and commercial settings. Without making assumptions about a particular address, clients should consider whether the work area adjoins another dwelling, business or shared space. Boundaries, party walls, common property and neighbouring finishes may need attention before demolition begins.

Questions to ask about access

• Where can workers and authorised trades enter the property?
• Can tools, equipment and waste containers reach the work area?
• Are there stairs, tight corners, low openings or finished rooms on the route?
• Does material need to cross common property or a shared driveway?
• Are loading arrangements controlled by a building manager, landlord or other party?
• Can collection vehicles stop close to the property, subject to applicable restrictions?
• Will occupants, customers or neighbours use the same access path?
• Where can removed material be held safely before it leaves the site?

Parking and loading limitations can influence the practical method. This does not mean a particular permit or arrangement always applies. Requirements depend on the location, vehicle, building and relevant authority. They should be checked rather than assumed.

Protecting movement routes

Protection should extend beyond the demolition room. Retained flooring, doors, walls, lifts, stairs and external surfaces can be affected while materials are moved. The level of protection depends on the finish, duration, traffic and debris type. Shared paths may also need regular review so they remain separated from the work zone where practical.

Occupied homes

If a Prahran household remains onsite, demolition planning should identify essential facilities, access boundaries and expected service interruptions. A bathroom strip-out may be impractical if it removes the only usable amenities. Kitchen works may require a temporary food preparation area. Dust and noise can travel beyond the room even with separation measures.

Staging can retain part of a home for longer, but it may also add repeated setup, protection and cleaning. The decision should be based on the actual scope, not a general promise that living onsite will always be comfortable or possible. The guide on living at home during an extension and our renovation service provide related planning context.

Active commercial premises

Businesses may seek to keep part of a tenancy operational. This can be possible where there is suitable separation, independent access and manageable service impact. However, active customer areas should not be mixed with demolition routes. Staging, signage, temporary barriers and agreed work periods may be needed.

Neighbouring businesses also matter. Noise, vibration, dust, shared amenities and loading can affect other occupants. Early communication through the appropriate building or tenancy channels allows practical constraints to be included in the programme.

An onsite construction inspection gives us the clearest view of access and surrounding conditions. Before requesting a quotation, clients should provide photographs, available plans, property details and known building-management requirements.

The line between strip-out and structural demolition is important. Removing loose fixtures or floor coverings is generally different from changing walls, roof sections, floors, beams or openings. Work that alters a load path can affect more than the visible element. It may require engineering, temporary support, sequencing and specific construction details.

Visual appearance alone does not reliably confirm whether a wall is load-bearing. Its direction, material and thickness can provide clues, but the structure above and below must also be considered. Existing plans may help, although they should be checked against onsite conditions. Our guide on how to identify a potentially load-bearing wall explains why assessment matters.

Structural questions before removal

• Does the element support a roof, floor, beam or wall above?
• Does it contribute to bracing or lateral stability?
• Will the opening alter support at either end?
• Are temporary supports or a staged sequence required?
• Does the demolition expose the building to weather?
• Will neighbouring or retained construction be affected?
• Are cracks, movement or deterioration already visible?
• What final structural detail is intended to replace the removed element?

Depending on the property and scope, structural engineering or other consultant input may be required. This should be confirmed before work starts. Demolition should follow the approved design information where such input applies.

Electricity and communications

Walls, ceilings, counters and joinery may contain electrical cables, outlets, lighting controls, data cabling or communications equipment. Visible outlets do not reveal every route. Isolation, disconnection or relocation should be coordinated with the appropriate trade before connected elements are removed.

In commercial properties, circuits may serve areas outside the strip-out zone. Emergency systems, access controls, alarms and communications can also be interconnected. The scope should distinguish tenant equipment from base-building systems.

Plumbing, gas and drainage

Kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and hospitality spaces contain water, waste and sometimes gas connections. Fixtures should not be removed on the assumption that turning off a local tap resolves every issue. Isolation points, shared supplies and drainage conditions need consideration.

Drainage locations often influence the replacement layout. During a wet-area strip-out, access may be required to inspect pipework or substrates. The demolition scope should state whether services are capped, retained for reuse, removed to a defined point or left for a following trade. Our guide to how existing plumbing and electrical services affect an extension covers related coordination issues.

Mechanical and fire services

Commercial ceilings and partitions can interact with ventilation, air conditioning, sprinklers, detectors and other fire-service components. Altering one element may have consequences for coverage or operation. Appropriate specialist input may be needed, depending on the building and proposed fit-out.

We coordinate the demolition stage with relevant trades and consultants where the scope requires it, but no single contractor should be assumed to provide every specialist assessment. Responsibilities should be listed clearly in the quotation and programme.

Concealed conditions

Demolition exposes parts of a property that were previously hidden. Deteriorated framing, undocumented services, moisture damage or unsuitable substrates may only become visible after removal. A good scope explains how discoveries will be reported and reviewed rather than pretending they cannot occur.

Materials that may require specialist identification or handling should be assessed before they are disturbed. The need depends on the property, material and proposed work. Clients can read why asbestos checks matter before demolition and should seek appropriate advice for their site.

Demolition is disruptive by nature, but disruption can be planned. Protection, work-zone separation, debris movement and waste handling should be considered before removal begins. The arrangements depend on the material, building, occupants, access and surrounding areas.

Protecting retained construction

Retained floors, walls, ceilings, windows, doors, façades and fixtures can be vulnerable to impact, dust and abrasion. Protection should match the risk. A finished timber floor on the debris route may need a different approach from a concrete slab that will later be resurfaced. Delicate common areas may require more control than an empty shell.

Protection should also be monitored. Materials can move, wear or become damaged as work progresses. A clear scope identifies who installs it, where it applies and when it can be removed. It should not be treated as an undefined extra after demolition has started.

Dust control and separation

Dust can travel through doorways, ceiling spaces and mechanical systems. Separating the work zone from retained or occupied areas helps limit movement, but no simple measure removes every effect. The method should reflect the work type and property.

Clients should remove personal possessions and loose stock from nearby areas where practical. In commercial settings, sensitive products or equipment may require relocation. Mechanical or fire systems that could be affected should be reviewed with the appropriate parties before work proceeds.

Noise and vibration

Noise varies with the material and removal method. Concrete, masonry, tile and fixed joinery can create different impacts. Work periods may need to consider occupants, neighbours, building rules and any relevant restrictions. We do not assume that after-hours work is automatically allowed or appropriate.

Vibration can matter where retained finishes, adjoining structures or sensitive equipment are nearby. Existing condition records may be useful for some scopes. The need should be assessed against the actual property and work rather than applied as a generic claim.

Debris movement

Debris handling starts inside the demolition zone. Material may need to be reduced to manageable sizes, packaged or moved in controlled loads. Sharp, heavy or dusty materials require different treatment. The access path and collection point should remain clear of unrelated occupants where practical.

On a constrained Prahran site, the distance to the collection area can increase handling. Stairs, lifts and shared corridors may slow movement. This affects labour and can influence how the work is staged.

Waste volume and material type

Waste is not measured only by room size. Dense tiles, masonry and concrete can create substantial weight. Lightweight partitions or joinery may create more volume. Mixed materials can also require different handling from clean, separated material.

The quotation should explain whether removal, transport and disposal are included and identify any assumptions. Clients can read what happens to demolition debris and waste and whether materials can be salvaged before demolition. Reuse or salvage should be agreed before work starts because careful removal takes longer than ordinary demolition.

Site separation and sequencing

Work zones should be set up so demolition does not compete with following trades in the same area without coordination. Removing materials in a planned sequence can preserve access and reduce rehandling. Service isolation should occur before connected items are taken out. Structural work should follow the applicable design and support sequence.

Once the area is cleared, it should be reviewed for exposed hazards, incomplete removals and conditions that affect the next stage. Our demolition service focuses on making this transition clear rather than treating waste removal as the only outcome.

Demolition should begin with the proposed outcome. If the next stage is unclear, a team can remove too much, too little or the wrong material. It can also leave following trades without suitable access or substrates. Planning backwards helps define the useful endpoint.

Preparation for a home renovation

A renovation may retain the original structure while changing finishes, services and layouts. Demolition should expose what needs assessment without damaging elements intended to remain. For example, removing cabinetry may reveal wall damage that requires repair before new joinery. Taking up flooring may expose different substrate levels that affect the replacement finish.

The renovation drawings should inform wall openings, door positions and service changes. Our home renovation service can be considered alongside demolition so the handover between removal and rebuilding is practical.

Preparation for a home extension

An extension interface can involve external walls, roofs, eaves, floors, paving and existing services. Removal may need to occur in stages to protect the retained home and maintain weather resistance. Temporary arrangements should be planned before the building envelope is opened.

The extension programme also determines when structural work, excavation or service relocation can begin. Read how a home extension moves from design to handover for broader sequencing context.

Preparation for bathrooms and wet areas

A stripped bathroom is not automatically ready for waterproofing. Substrates may need repair, plumbing may require alteration and the floor may need preparation. The proposed falls, drainage points, shower type and wall build-up influence the required condition.

Demolition should preserve information where useful. Existing plumbing locations, floor levels and substrate conditions can guide the next decisions. Our guide to bathroom waterproofing explains why the layers beneath the visible tiles matter.

Preparation for kitchens

New joinery requires known wall, floor and service conditions. A kitchen strip-out should account for splashback substrates, appliance connections, flooring below cabinets and the condition of walls after old units are removed. If new cabinetry has been designed to tight dimensions, unexpected linings or uneven walls can affect installation.

Keeping or changing the layout also changes the demolition scope. Review whether to keep or change an existing kitchen layout before deciding how far the strip-out should go.

Preparation for a new build

Where a full demolition precedes new construction, the required final site condition must be defined. Existing structures, slabs, footings, services, paving, vegetation and boundary elements may each require separate consideration. Survey, consultant and approval requirements depend on the property and proposed project.

The new-home design should be sufficiently developed to inform what must remain or be removed. It may be wasteful to clear an element that could support access or later works, just as it may be costly to discover an old structure conflicts with the new plan after mobilisation.

Preparation for commercial fit-outs

Commercial strip-out should align with the future ceiling, partition, services and floor plan. Hospitality fit-outs may require extensive service coordination. Retail spaces may prioritise shopfronts, displays and customer flow. Office projects may depend on data, lighting and meeting-room layouts.

A useful handover identifies remaining services, known penetrations, substrate conditions and any incomplete base-building matters. This helps fit-out trades price and plan from a clearer starting point.

What ready for the next trade should mean

The phrase should be defined for each project. It might mean a clear slab, exposed framing, removed fixings, capped services or a room left ready for measured repair work. It does not necessarily include every repair, cleaning task or service modification unless those items are listed.

We encourage clients to ask who accepts the work area after demolition and what that trade needs. This simple question can reveal missing scope before it becomes a variation or programme delay.

Clients often ask whether demolition in Prahran requires approval. There is no responsible one-line answer for every project. A full building demolition, structural alteration, internal strip-out and removal of a detached fixture are different scopes. Property controls, ownership, building classification and the proposed replacement work may also influence what is required.

Planning permits and building permits serve different purposes. One does not automatically replace the other. Depending on the project, there may also be building-management, landlord, utility, consultant or specialist requirements. These matters should be checked before work starts.

Our guide to planning permits versus building permits in Victoria explains the general distinction. Clients can also read when a building permit may be required. These resources support early understanding, but project-specific advice should be sought where necessary.

When consultant input may be relevant

• Removing or altering walls, beams, roofs, floors or structural openings.
• Demolition that affects adjoining or retained construction.
• Work involving uncertain materials or suspected hazardous material.
• Changes to fire, mechanical or other shared building systems.
• Projects affected by property controls or specific approval conditions.
• Sites where access, support or sequencing requires specialist design.
• Commercial work governed by landlord or base-building procedures.

Feature Point Constructions can help identify practical questions during inspection and scope development. Where a matter falls within a specialist discipline, the relevant qualified party should assess it. We do not imply that every consultant service or approval is automatically included in demolition work.

Why approvals should be resolved early

Starting removal before the design and applicable requirements are clear can create rework. An opening may be formed to the wrong dimensions. A retained element may be damaged. A service may be disconnected before temporary arrangements are ready. Early confirmation supports more reliable sequencing and quotation.

Clients planning a renovation can also review what a renovation feasibility check includes. Feasibility, design and demolition planning often overlap because each relies on an accurate understanding of the existing property.

Demolition cost cannot be judged reliably from floor area alone. Two rooms of the same size may contain different materials, service connections and access constraints. One may be vacant and close to a loading point, while the other sits upstairs within an occupied property. These differences affect labour, equipment, protection and waste handling.

Scope and scale

The number and type of elements removed are primary cost drivers. A loose-fixture removal is different from a full wet-area strip-out. Partial structural demolition requires more planning than taking out non-structural finishes. The scope should also identify preparation and making-safe tasks after removal.

Existing condition

Deterioration, previous alterations and concealed layers can change the work. Multiple floor finishes, bonded materials or undocumented partitions may require additional handling. Some conditions only become visible once demolition begins, so the quotation should explain relevant assumptions.

Access and material handling

Narrow entries, stairs, lifts, shared corridors and distant loading points increase handling. The cost is influenced by how many times material must be moved and the level of protection required along the route. Restricted vehicle access or collection periods can also affect staging.

Structural involvement

Work affecting load-bearing elements, roofs, floors or openings may involve design, temporary support and a carefully controlled sequence. Engineering or other consultant fees may apply, depending on the project. These items should not be hidden inside a vague demolition allowance.

Service isolation and alteration

Electrical, plumbing, gas, drainage, communications, fire and mechanical systems can require specialist coordination. Cost depends on which services remain, what must be disconnected and whether temporary arrangements are required. Shared commercial services may need further review.

Protection requirements

Occupied properties and finished common areas often need more extensive separation and protection than vacant sites. Retained cabinetry, windows, floors, façades and neighbouring rooms can also influence the setup. Protection is part of the work, not an optional visual extra.

Waste type and volume

Heavy masonry, concrete and tiles affect handling differently from timber, plasterboard or joinery. Large volumes may require staged removal. Specialist materials should be identified and managed through the appropriate process where relevant.

Commercial operating constraints

Building access periods, loading rules, neighbouring businesses and after-hours requirements can alter labour and supervision arrangements. If a tenancy must remain partly operational, repeated setup and separation may add cost.

Preparation for following trades

A low demolition figure may stop at basic removal. Another quotation may include fixings, selected linings, service coordination, waste handling and preparation for the next stage. These are not equivalent scopes. Clients should compare the final condition, not only the total.

Review what should be included in a residential construction quote and what a commercial fit-out quote should include. Although demolition has its own details, the same principle applies: inclusions, exclusions, assumptions and responsibilities should be visible.

Information to provide for a quotation

• The Prahran property address and building type.
• Plans, photographs and reports that are already available.
• A room-by-room list of intended removals.
• A separate list of items to remain or be salvaged.
• Known structural changes and service requirements.
• Access, parking, loading and common-property information.
• Whether the site will be occupied or operational.
• The renovation, extension, new build or fit-out planned next.
• Any known landlord, building-manager or authority requirements.
• The preferred programme and any fixed operational constraints.

An onsite inspection allows this information to be tested against the property. We can then prepare a scope that reflects the practical work rather than relying on broad assumptions.

Before contacting us, prepare the property address, building type and a short explanation of why demolition is needed. State whether the work supports a renovation, extension, new build, tenancy handback or new commercial fit-out. This context helps us understand the required final condition.

Create two lists. The first should cover everything you believe needs removal. The second should identify items that remain, require protection or should be salvaged. Include cabinetry, appliances, sanitary fixtures, lights, doors, flooring, ceilings, walls, external structures and any known service-connected equipment.

Provide drawings, photographs and reports where available. Plans do not need to be perfect to support the first discussion, but current construction information is more useful than outdated layouts. Mark uncertain walls or services rather than making assumptions about them.

Explain access clearly. Tell us about stairs, lifts, side passages, shared corridors, loading areas and building-management controls. Let us know whether residents, staff, customers or neighbouring tenants will remain nearby. If the property is leased, identify any landlord or make-good information already available.

Consider the following questions before the inspection:

• Which rooms or structures are included?
• What must remain usable during the work?
• Are any fixtures being reused or stored?
• Is structural removal proposed?
• Which services are known to pass through the work zone?
• Will another contractor begin immediately after demolition?
• What condition does that contractor need?
• Are there fixed access periods or operational restrictions?
• Are approvals, engineering or specialist reports already being arranged?

Our guide on preparing for an onsite inspection provides further guidance. You can also review what should be confirmed before demolition begins and request a written quotation through our Get a Quote page.

Comparing demolition quotations

Compare the work described, not just the final price. Check whether each quotation covers protection, service responsibilities, waste, structural assumptions and preparation. Look for clear exclusions and allowances. If one contractor has included making-safe work and another has not, the totals do not represent the same outcome.

Ask how concealed conditions will be handled. No contractor can guarantee what sits behind every wall or floor, but the process for reporting and reviewing discoveries should be clear. Also ask what records, inspection or review occurs before the area is handed to the next trade.

A detailed quotation may appear longer because it exposes responsibilities that a short quotation leaves unstated. Clarity at this stage helps reduce disputes and supports a smoother transition into construction.