HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR INTERIOR DEMOLITION

Interior demolition is one of the most misunderstood phases of a renovation. Homeowners either over-prepare (spending money on things the crew handles) or under-prepare (leaving furniture, utilities live, and no plan for dust containment). Here's exactly what you should do — and what you don't need to worry about.

1. Disconnect or Protect All Utilities in the Demo Zone

Before demo begins, make sure electricity to the affected rooms is shut off at the breaker panel. If there's plumbing in the walls being removed — especially in kitchens and bathrooms — have a licensed plumber cap the supply and drain lines beforehand. Gas lines must be capped by a licensed professional before any work starts. We can coordinate this for you, but it needs to happen before day one.

2. Clear the Room Completely

Remove every piece of furniture, appliance, and personal item from the demolition zone. This includes items in adjacent rooms if walls are coming down — vibration and dust travel further than you expect. Take down any art, mirrors, or mounted TVs on adjacent walls too. One thing homeowners often miss: light fixtures and ceiling fans should be removed or protected.

3. Set Up Dust Containment

Demolition produces an extraordinary amount of fine dust — especially in older Philadelphia rowhouses where drywall, plaster, and decades of built-up material are coming out. We install plastic sheeting and zipper barriers over doorways to contain the demolition zone. You can help by moving anything valuable out of nearby rooms and covering HVAC vents to prevent dust from recirculating through your whole house.

4. Know What's in Your Walls (Especially in Pre-1980 Homes)

Philadelphia's housing stock is old. If your home was built before 1980, there's a real chance of encountering asbestos in pipe insulation, floor tiles, or joint compound — and lead paint on any surface. We always recommend a pre-demolition hazmat assessment for homes built before 1978. This isn't optional for us: we will not demo through suspected asbestos without clearance from a certified abatement contractor.

5. Make a Plan for Where You'll Live During Demo

Most single-room demos complete in one to two days. Full-floor guts take two to four days. For kitchen demos, you'll want to set up a temporary kitchen (coffee maker, microwave, mini fridge) in another room. For bathroom demos, confirm you have access to another bathroom in the house — or arrange for temporary access elsewhere.

6. Document Everything Before We Start

Take photos and video of every room before demo begins. Document the condition of adjacent spaces — floors, walls, ceilings. This protects you and protects us if there are any disputes about pre-existing conditions. We do our own documentation too, but having your own record is smart.

What You Don't Need to Do

You don't need to remove drywall yourself, haul debris, or rent a dumpster. Our quotes include all debris removal and disposal. You don't need to source materials for the rebuild phase either — we'll handle that as part of the renovation scope. Your job is to create a clear, safe, utility-disconnected space. Our job is everything else.

Questions about your specific project in Philadelphia, Upper Darby, or Lansdowne? Call us at 347-977-3212 or request a free estimate online.