Demolition comes in two main forms. Full demolition takes a structure or a room down to its frame or to the ground. Selective demolition removes specific parts and keeps the rest. Choosing the right one saves money, time and mess, and it changes what the permit, the trades and the schedule look like.
What full demolition means
Full demolition removes the whole structure, or every finish and component in a room. It is used when the building is beyond repair, when a new layout needs a clean shell, or when a site is being cleared for a new build. It usually needs a permit, service disconnections, and a waste plan from the start.
What selective demolition means
Selective demolition removes only what the new work requires. A kitchen is gutted but the exterior wall stays. A second floor is opened but the foundation is kept. This approach protects what is sound and limits how much needs to be rebuilt.
How to decide
- Is the structure sound, and is the foundation worth keeping?
- Does the new layout need the old walls removed, or only changed?
- What is inside the walls, and does it need testing first?
- Will the existing structure be reused or replaced?
- What is the schedule, and does the sequence allow for selective work?
Why the scope matters
A demolition scope should name every item to be removed, every item to be kept, every service to be disconnected, and every waste stream. When the scope is written, the price is built on real quantities. When it is not, the work becomes a series of surprises.
How we run demolition
We confirm the scope with you on site, check the structure and the services, and set up containment before any cutting. Waste is bagged, removed and recorded. Every stage is photographed so the record shows what was removed and what remains.
Cost and schedule drivers
The cost of demolition depends on the amount of material, how hard it is to remove, how much needs to be sorted and disposed of, and how much access the site allows. Selective work often takes longer per square foot because each piece is handled with care, but it can save the cost of rebuilding what was sound. A full demolition is faster to execute, but the new structure may need more materials and labour afterward.
How to compare two options
Ask for each option to be written with the same level of detail: what is removed, what is kept, what services are disconnected, how waste is handled, and what the rebuild includes. Compare the scope items, not just the totals. That is how you see the real difference.
Protecting what you keep
With selective demolition, the risk is damage to the parts you intended to keep. Protection, bracing and a clear marking of what stays are part of a good scope. Every kept element should be named in the register and checked at each gate.
Frequently asked questions
Is full demolition always more expensive?
Not always. Full demolition can be simpler when the structure is being replaced, but selective work can cost less when most of the building is sound.
Do I need a permit for demolition?
Many demolition projects need a permit. Check with your municipality before work starts.
What happens to the debris?
Debris is sorted, bagged where needed, and removed from site. The disposal should be part of the scope.
Can you keep part of the structure?
Yes, when the structure is sound and the design allows it. This is usually the most cost-effective path, and it is confirmed at the site visit.
Can you switch from selective to full demolition mid-project?
It is possible, but it changes the scope and the schedule, so it should be agreed in writing before the change is made.
Book a free site visit or call (416) 639-1990. We will walk the job with you and put the scope in writing before any work starts.
Questions to ask before you hire a demolition team
- Will the scope be written before the price is set, and will it list every item?
- Who handles permits, service disconnections and waste disposal?
- How are unexpected findings recorded, and how are changes approved?
- Who supervises the site, and how often will you receive updates?
- What is protected, and how is dust and access controlled?
- Which records and photos will you receive at handover?
Who to involve, and when
A good demolition plan brings the right people in the right order: the homeowner or owner, the lead on site, the trades that disconnect services, the waste hauler, and where needed the engineer or inspector. Bringing them in early avoids the costly stop-and-start that comes from work being added late.
What good looks like at handover
At handover, you should have the photos of the open and cleared space, the records of what was removed and what was kept, the disposal records, and the list of any items that remain for the next trade. Nothing should depend on memory.
Sequencing the trades
Demolition is the first stage of most projects, but it is not the only one. Services have to be disconnected before the crew starts, the waste has to be removed as work progresses, and the structure has to be checked before the rebuild begins. A clear sequence keeps the site safe and keeps the next trade from waiting on this one.
When the scope is written with the sequence in mind, the schedule is realistic from the start and the rest of the project can be planned around it.