Light demolition in plain terms
Demolition comes in two broad sizes. Full or structural demolition takes down an entire building or its load-bearing parts, usually with excavators, engineering plans and a site-wide permit. Light demolition is everything smaller: taking out the pieces of a home or business that are being replaced, while the structure around them stays put.
It is also called selective demolition, interior demolition or soft strip, and it is almost always the first step of a renovation. Before a new kitchen goes in, the old one has to come out. Before new floors go down, the old tile has to come up. That tear-out work, plus hauling every piece of it away, is light demolition.
Common light demolition jobs
- KitchensCabinets, countertops, backsplash tile, sinks and old appliances removed down to the walls so the new kitchen can go in.
- BathroomsVanities, toilets, tubs, shower surrounds, wall and floor tile taken out ahead of a remodel.
- Interior walls and drywallNon-load-bearing partition walls, damaged drywall, closets and built-ins opened up or removed.
- FlooringTile, carpet and pad, laminate, vinyl and glued-down or nailed wood floors pulled up to the subfloor or slab.
- Outdoor structuresSheds, decks, wood or chain-link fences, gazebos, pergolas, tiki huts and screen enclosures.
- Backyard itemsHot tubs, above-ground pools, play sets, pavers and small concrete pads or walkways.
Light demolition vs. full demolition
| Light demolition | Full / structural demolition | |
|---|---|---|
| What comes out | Finishes, fixtures, non-load-bearing walls, small structures | Entire buildings or load-bearing elements |
| Equipment | Hand tools, power tools, a trailer or truck | Excavators, loaders, roll-off containers |
| Building stays standing | Yes | No |
| Typical timeline | A few hours to a couple of days | Days to weeks, plus planning |
| Permits | Often none for finishes and small sheds; varies by city | Almost always required, often with utility and engineering sign-offs |
| Who usually hires it | Homeowners, landlords, remodelers, property managers | Developers, general contractors, municipalities |
When you need light demolition
- Before a remodel, so your contractor starts on a clean, empty space instead of billing hours for tear-out.
- Before selling or renting a property, to remove a rotting deck, a sagging shed or a dated bathroom.
- After a storm, when fences, screen enclosures, carports or water-damaged drywall and flooring have to go.
- When reclaiming space: an unused hot tub, an old play set or a shed nobody opens anymore.
Permits, utilities and safety
Removing finishes like cabinets, flooring and tile, or taking down a small shed or fence, often doesn't need its own demolition permit. Rules differ between Broward cities, though, and anything that touches structure, plumbing, electrical or gas usually does. If the demolition is part of a permitted renovation, it normally falls under your contractor's permit. When in doubt, a quick call to your city's building department settles it, and we'll tell you up front if a job looks like it needs one.
Water, power and gas to anything being removed should be shut off and safely capped before demolition starts. For fixed plumbing, electrical circuits and gas lines, that means a licensed plumber or electrician.
Homes built before the 1980s can contain asbestos in popcorn ceilings, some floor tiles and their adhesive, and older drywall joint compound. If there's any chance of it, have the material tested before anyone disturbs it. Asbestos removal is a specialized licensed trade, and we don't handle it.
What affects the price
Light demolition is usually priced by the job rather than by the hour. The main factors are how much material comes out, how heavy it is (tile and concrete weigh far more than drywall), how easy it is to reach and carry out (a second-floor condo vs. a ground-floor garage), and how much hauling and disposal it creates.
We quote a firm flat price on site before any work begins, and that price includes the tear-out, loading, hauling, disposal fees and a broom-clean sweep at the end.
How Sunshine Demolition handles it
- Send photos or book a walk-throughText pictures to get a quick price range, then we confirm a firm price on site.
- Protect what staysFloors, doorways and finished areas next to the work are covered before we start.
- Tear outWe remove only what's agreed, down to studs, subfloor or slab as needed for the next trade.
- Haul it all awayDebris is loaded the same day. Metal and clean wood are recycled when possible.
- Leave it broom-cleanThe space is swept and ready for your contractor or the next step.
Common questions
Is light demolition the same as interior demolition?
Mostly. Interior demolition is light demolition done inside a building, like kitchen, bathroom, flooring and wall tear-outs. Light demolition also covers small outdoor structures such as sheds, decks and fences.
Can I do light demolition myself?
Small jobs, yes, if you're comfortable with the tools and the lifting. The parts people underestimate are the debris volume, which is often several times what they expect, the weight of tile and concrete, and getting it all disposed of legally. Many homeowners do the tear-out and call us just for the haul-away.
Can you remove a load-bearing wall?
Not as light demolition. Removing a load-bearing wall needs an engineer's plan, a permit and temporary support, and it belongs to a licensed general contractor. We're happy to do the non-structural tear-out around it.
How long does light demolition take?
Most single rooms, sheds and decks are done in a few hours to one day, including haul-away. Whole-house interior tear-outs can take two days or more.
Do you haul away the debris?
Always. Tear-out and haul-away are one price, and we leave the space broom-clean.