Do I need a permit for interior demolition?

That depends on what is coming out. Removing a wall, or anything tied into plumbing, wiring or the structure, usually requires a permit from your city's building department, and the process differs from one city to the next across Broward and Palm Beach. Ask about it at the consultation so the question is settled before work starts.

Can you remove a wall to make a closet bigger?

Often, yes, but the wall has to be checked first. Some interior walls carry ceiling or roof loads, and others hide pipes, wires or ductwork. Once we know what is inside, the removal and the new layout are planned together, and the space is framed and finished so the new closet system has solid walls to mount to.

How should I prepare the room?

Empty it as fully as you can. Move clothes, boxes, furniture and anything fragile out of the room, and clear shelves in neighboring rooms too, since vibration and dust travel. Items you no longer want can go out with the debris instead of making a separate trip to the curb. We will point out anything else to move during the walk-through.

Interior Demolition Services

Interior demolition for South Florida homes: old closets, cabinets, tile, flooring and drywall taken out to clear the way for new storage or a remodel.

On this page (4)

What interior demolition can include
Why the room gets cleared first
What to expect
Frequently asked questions

Interior demolition clears out what is already in a room so the next stage of your project starts from a clean shell. That might mean pulling out a dated closet system, tearing off old tile and backer board, cutting away damaged drywall, or lifting flooring down to the slab. The photo above shows where a full strip-out can end: bare concrete walls, an open floor scraped clean of old adhesive, and a compact floor-scraping machine parked in the corner. Demolition is often the first step of a larger plan, such as emptying a garage of old shelving before new garage cabinets and storage go in. We also take it on as a job of its own.

What interior demolition can include

Old closet shelving, rods, wire racks and built-in units
Kitchen and bathroom cabinets, vanities and countertops
Floor and shower tile, along with the mortar bed and backer board beneath it
Drywall, from a damaged patch to a whole wall opened up for new work
Carpet, vinyl or tile flooring, down to the slab

Why the room gets cleared first

A custom closet or garage system is built to fit one specific room, so that room needs to be ready for it. Old shelving leaves anchor holes and patched walls behind. A sagging wire system can hide water stains that should be dealt with before anything new is mounted. When walls come down to enlarge a closet or carve out a new room, our framing and room buildout work picks up where demolition leaves off.

What to expect

Before anything comes out, we walk the space with you and mark what stays, such as doors, trim, outlets or cabinets you want to keep. Expect a conversation about dust: how the work area will be closed off and which floors need covering on the way in and out. Outer walls in a block home are masonry under the plaster, so old tile or glued-on materials along them come off differently than drywall on a stud wall. Debris has to leave the property, which is why demolition usually pairs with our junk removal and hauling service. To describe your project, call 954-213-5836 or get in touch online.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for interior demolition?: That depends on what is coming out. Removing a wall, or anything tied into plumbing, wiring or the structure, usually requires a permit from your city's building department, and the process differs from one city to the next across Broward and Palm Beach. Ask about it at the consultation so the question is settled before work starts.
Can you remove a wall to make a closet bigger?: Often, yes, but the wall has to be checked first. Some interior walls carry ceiling or roof loads, and others hide pipes, wires or ductwork. Once we know what is inside, the removal and the new layout are planned together, and the space is framed and finished so the new closet system has solid walls to mount to.
How should I prepare the room?: Empty it as fully as you can. Move clothes, boxes, furniture and anything fragile out of the room, and clear shelves in neighboring rooms too, since vibration and dust travel. Items you no longer want can go out with the debris instead of making a separate trip to the curb. We will point out anything else to move during the walk-through.