Internal Demolition & Strip-Outs in Brisbane
Internal demolition is the careful kind. The building stays standing, people may be living or working next door, and whatever is behind the tiles or plasterboard needs to be found before it is disturbed. Bathrooms, kitchens, walls and full fit-outs are removed so the renovation starts on a clean shell.
- Approvals Checked First
- Asbestos-Aware Process
- Services Made Safe
- Brisbane & Surrounds
Bathroom demolition
Bathroom strip-outs are among the most common internal jobs in Brisbane. Tiles, screed, vanities, toilets, baths, shower bases and wall linings are removed back to the frame or slab, ready for the waterproofer and tiler. Older bathrooms deserve a closer look first: in homes built before 1990, the wall sheeting behind the tiles and the vinyl underneath can contain asbestos, so testing comes before any hammering.
Kitchen and laundry strip-outs
Cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks, appliances and flooring are removed and carted away. A plumber and electrician need to disconnect and make safe the water, waste, gas and power first. If you plan to reuse cabinets or sell appliances, flag it early so they come out whole.
Taking out walls
Opening up a living area is a popular renovation in older Brisbane homes, but not every wall can simply go. Load-bearing walls need an engineer's design and usually a building approval, with temporary propping while new beams go in. Non-structural partitions are simpler, but they still hide wiring and plumbing that has to be dealt with.
Commercial fit-out strip-outs
When a tenant leaves a shop, office or clinic, the lease often requires the space to be returned to a base building condition. That can mean removing partitions, ceilings, floor coverings, joinery, signage and services back to an agreed point. The make-good scope in the lease decides what stays and what goes, so read it closely before the job is priced.
Living with the work
Internal demolition in an occupied house needs a different approach to a full knockdown. Rooms are sealed off with plastic screens, floors and stairs protected, and debris carried out by hand or barrow rather than dropped. Queenslanders and other timber homes carry noise and vibration through the whole house, so expect a few loud days.
Units and townhouses
Strip-outs in apartments and townhouses add another layer: body corporate approval, lift bookings, protection for common areas, and limits on when noisy work can happen. Debris often has to travel through shared corridors and car parks, so it is bagged and moved in manageable loads.
Character homes and hidden surprises
Older Brisbane homes have usually been renovated several times. Strip back a bathroom in a Queenslander and you may find old hardwood under layers of lino, a second floor laid over the first, or a 1960s fibro wall built inside the original VJ boards. Each layer is checked and removed in turn, so the builder starts with a known surface rather than guesswork.
What to check before you start
- Asbestos testing on any sheeting, vinyl or textured coating in a pre-1990 home
- Whether the wall you want gone is load-bearing
- Body corporate rules if you are in a unit or townhouse
- Lease make-good clauses for commercial tenancies
For buildings coming down entirely, see our house demolition and commercial demolition services.
Why choose us for internal demolition & strip-outs
- Bathroom and kitchen strip-outs back to frame or slab
- Non-structural wall removal, with engineer input for structural walls
- Shop, office and tenancy fit-out strip-outs and make-goods
- Asbestos checked before tiles, sheeting or vinyl are touched
- Dust screens and floor protection where the home stays occupied
- Waste bagged, carried out and taken away
Internal Demolition & Strip-Outs: common questions
How long does a bathroom demolition take?
A standard bathroom strip-out is usually a short job, often a day or two, depending on the size, the number of tile layers and access. Asbestos testing beforehand can add a few days while results come back, so arrange it early.
Can I stay in the house during an internal strip-out?
Usually, yes. The work area is screened off and protected, and debris is carried out carefully. Expect noise and some disruption, and plan around the bathroom or kitchen being out of action.
Do I need approval to remove an internal wall?
Non-structural walls generally don't need a building approval, but load-bearing walls usually do, along with an engineer's design. If you are unsure whether a wall is structural, have it checked before any work starts.
Is there asbestos in my bathroom?
It is possible in homes built before 1990, especially in wall sheeting behind tiles and in vinyl flooring. You can't tell by looking — a sample tested by a laboratory is the only reliable way to know.
Ready to book internal demolition & strip-outs?
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