Partial demolition lets you remove only the parts of a building you need gone, such as a wall, a room, an old extension or a whole interior, while the rest stays standing. It is the first step in most renovations and extensions across Perth, and done well it protects the parts of your home you are keeping.
This guide covers what partial and internal demolition involves, what to plan for, and how to keep the job safe and on budget.
What is partial demolition?
Partial demolition, or selective demolition, is the controlled removal of specific sections of a building. Typical jobs include:
- Removing a rear extension, patio, carport or garage
- Taking out internal walls to create an open-plan living area
- Removing a room or a wing before an extension
- Removing damaged sections after storm or fire damage
- Removing a roof before a second-storey addition
What is internal demolition?
Internal demolition, often called an interior strip-out, removes the inside of a building and leaves the structure intact. That can include:
- Kitchens and bathrooms, including tiles, joinery and fixtures
- Ceilings, cornices and non-structural walls
- Floor coverings, timber floors and screeds
- Built-in robes, shelving and fittings
Internal demolition is common before a full renovation of an older Perth home, and in commercial spaces at the end of a lease or before a new fit-out. For businesses, see our guide to commercial demolition and strip-outs in Perth.
Load-bearing walls need a plan
Before any wall is removed, find out whether it is load-bearing. Removing a load-bearing wall without the right support can damage the roof, ceilings or the floor above. That work needs a structural engineer’s design, temporary propping and usually a new beam, and it is part of your builder’s approved plans. We work to those plans and coordinate with your builder so the structure is supported throughout.
Permits and approvals
Many partial demolitions need a demolition permit, but when the demolition is part of a renovation or extension with a building permit, the building permit usually covers it. Read demolition permits for partial demolition in Perth for the details and the fees.
Asbestos in older homes
Homes built or renovated before the late 1980s are highly likely to contain asbestos, often in bathrooms, laundries, eaves, ceilings and under floor coverings. It must be identified before work starts and removed by a licensed removalist where required. Partial demolition disturbs exactly the areas where asbestos is most common, so testing first is essential. See our guide to asbestos and demolition.
Protecting the rest of your home
A good partial demolition is as much about what stays as what goes. We plan for:
- Isolating power, water and gas to the work area
- Sealing off the rest of the house with dust barriers
- Protecting floors, windows and fittings you are keeping
- Controlling vibration near existing walls and neighbouring buildings
- Keeping access paths clear and safe if you are still living in the home
How much does partial demolition cost?
Partial demolition is priced on the work involved rather than the size of the house. The main factors are:
- Scope: how much is being removed, and whether any of it is structural
- Materials: brick, concrete and tiled areas take longer than timber and plasterboard
- Access: working by hand inside a home costs more than open access for an excavator
- Asbestos: testing and any licensed removal
- Waste: the volume of material to sort, recycle and cart
For whole-house pricing, see how much residential demolition costs in Perth.
Tips for a smooth partial demolition
- Mark exactly what stays and what goes. Walk through the site with your contractor and builder, and confirm it in writing.
- Test for asbestos first. It avoids stoppages and surprise costs.
- Confirm the structural plan. Make sure any load-bearing work has engineering in place before demolition day.
- Move out what you can. Clear the work area and protect what is staying.
- Line up your builder. A short gap between demolition and construction keeps the site secure and dry.
Why choose Full Spectrum Demolition?
We are a licensed Perth demolition contractor that handles partial, internal and full house demolition. We plan every job around what stays standing, keep the site safe and clean, and give clear, written quotes with no hidden extras. See our residential demolition services in Perth or contact us for a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between partial and full demolition?
Full demolition removes the whole structure and leaves a cleared block. Partial demolition removes only specific sections, such as walls, rooms or interiors, and the rest of the building stays.
Can I stay in my home during partial demolition?
Sometimes, depending on the scope. For small jobs with good dust separation, many people stay. For larger jobs, or where kitchens, bathrooms or services are affected, moving out for the demolition stage is safer and faster.
How long does internal demolition take?
A single kitchen or bathroom strip-out can often be done in a day or two. A full interior strip-out takes longer, depending on the size of the home and whether asbestos needs to be removed first.