What is included in interior demolition?
Interior demolition, often called a strip out, is the removal of everything in a home or commercial unit that is not part of the load bearing structure. That covers floor and wall finishes, ceilings, the kitchen, the bathroom, sanitary ware and non load bearing partitions. It is not only about breaking things out. Sorting and removing the waste, protecting what stays, and handling anything hazardous correctly are just as much part of the job.
What is and is not included
A demolition contractor normally handles everything that can be removed without touching the structure.
- Floor finishes: laminate, parquet, vinyl, carpet, tiles and sometimes the old screed underneath.
- Wall and ceiling finishes: wallpaper, plaster, tiling, suspended and lowered ceilings, stud linings.
- Kitchen and bathroom: units, worktops, shower, bath, basin, toilet and the surrounding tiling.
- Non load bearing partitions and plasterboard stud walls.
- Internal doors, frames, skirting boards and fitted cupboards.
- Waste removal, waste separation and a broom clean handover.
What falls outside matters just as much. Load bearing walls, joists and anything affecting the stability of the building are not a strip out item, they are a structural alteration that needs a structural engineer and the correct consent route. Disconnecting gas, water and electricity is work for a qualified installer. And any material suspected of containing asbestos follows its own separate process.
The main stages
- Survey and scope. The contractor establishes what goes, what stays and what is uncertain. In pre-1994 buildings the asbestos question belongs here, before anything is touched.
- Asbestos survey where relevant. Old vinyl flooring, board material and pipe lagging are typical suspects. If asbestos is present, removal is carried out only by a certified specialist firm. Never by you, and never by the general demolition crew.
- Disconnecting services. Water, gas and electrics are capped and isolated by a qualified professional before demolition starts.
- Protection. Stairwell, lift, communal hallway and everything that stays gets covered. Dust screens and extraction keep the disruption to neighbours within reason.
- Demolition in sequence. Loose fittings first, then finishes, then partitions. Controlled work protects what you intend to keep.
- Clearance and handover. Waste taken away separated where possible, containers emptied, space left broom clean so the next trade can start immediately.
What the price depends on
Strip out work is usually quoted per square metre of floor area, per item for defined elements such as a complete bathroom, per hour for unforeseen work, or as a fixed price after a site visit. We give no figures here because the real variable is disposal and access rather than the demolition itself. What drives the cost.
- Floor area and the number of layers involved. Four floor finishes stacked on top of each other is not unusual in older stock.
- Exactly what has to go, and whether the screed and plaster come off as well.
- The removal route. Upper floor, narrow steep Amsterdam staircase, no lift. Every bag goes down by hand.
- Somewhere to put a container, and whether municipal permission is needed to occupy a parking space or part of the pavement.
- Volume and type of waste, since mixed rubble costs more to dispose of than separated material.
- Permitted working hours and noise restrictions in an occupied apartment building.
- Additional workstreams such as asbestos remediation or structural advice.
Questions to ask the contractor
- What is inside the demolition scope and what stays untouched?
- Is waste removal included, along with the container and any municipal charges?
- Who disconnects the water, gas and electricity?
- The building predates 1994. Is there an asbestos survey, and what happens if you find something suspicious mid job?
- How will you protect the stairwell and the communal areas?
- How is dust and noise controlled, and what hours will you work?
- What happens if something structural turns up behind the finishes?
- Are you insured for damage to neighbouring apartments?
Common mistakes
Taking out a wall without knowing what it carries. In Amsterdam apartments you cannot reliably tell a partition from a load bearing wall by knocking on it. Have it assessed by a structural engineer or an experienced contractor before anyone picks up a tool.
Underestimating asbestos. Old vinyl, flue linings, board behind a radiator. In pre-1994 buildings this comes up regularly. Survey first, and let a certified company handle removal.
Skipping the VvE. Demolition affects neighbours and often touches shared parts of the building. Ask for approval in advance and tell your neighbours the schedule.
Not planning the disposal. Stripping a flat produces a startling volume of debris. Without a container position and a disposal agreement, the job stalls on day two.
Demolishing everything at once. Anything you want to keep or reuse, an original fireplace surround, panelled doors, a wooden floor, must be written down as retained before work starts. Otherwise it goes in the skip.
FAQ
Can I do a strip out myself?
Loose finishes such as carpet, laminate or wallpaper are within reach for most people. As soon as walls, pipework, old board materials or anything potentially structural is involved, bring in a professional.
Do I need a permit?
Purely internal work with no structural change often does not require one, but this depends on the property and the building. As soon as load bearing elements are involved, or the building has monument status, check with the municipality in advance. Ask your contractor to cover this during preparation.
How long does stripping an apartment take?
It depends on the area, the number of layers and above all the removal route. A demolition contractor can give a realistic programme after a site visit.
Is the debris taken away too?
Usually yes, but it must be stated explicitly in the quote. Check whether the broom clean finish is included as well.
How do I limit disruption for neighbours?
Tell them in good time, keep to the building's agreed working hours, use dust screens and make sure the stairwell is cleaned daily. That prevents more conflict than any technical measure.