Interior Demolition

Selective Demolition

Renovation projects begin with controlled destruction. Whether you're gutting to the studs or surgically removing specific walls while preserving adjacent finishes, interior demolition sets the stage for everything that follows. In Chicago's pre-war housing stock, demolition often uncovers surprises—load-bearing walls where drawings show none, asbestos in pipe insulation, lead paint under decades of latex layers. How demo is handled determines whether these discoveries become manageable issues or project-stopping emergencies.

We approach interior demolition as the first phase of construction, not a separate activity handed off to a wrecking crew. Our teams understand which walls carry structural loads, where mechanical systems run, and what needs testing before removal begins. For properties built before 1978, we conduct lead and asbestos surveys as required by Chicago's demolition permit process through CDPH. When hazardous materials are present, we handle abatement properly rather than creating liability for the renovation that follows.

Selective demolition requires precision that gut work doesn't—removing kitchen cabinets while protecting hardwood floors, cutting openings for new doors without damaging adjacent plaster, extracting bathroom fixtures without disturbing supply lines meant to remain. When the demo crew understands the renovation plan, they leave behind clean conditions rather than problems for the next trade to solve.