What Is Selective Demolition? A Toronto Homeowner's Guide to Interior Tear-Outs

Most renovations start with a tear-out. Before new cabinets, tile, or flooring go in, the old ones have to come out, without damaging the parts of the house you are keeping. That careful, targeted removal is called selective demolition.

This guide explains what selective demolition covers, what it never covers, what Ontario and Toronto rules apply before anyone picks up a pry bar, and how the work is usually priced. Junk 'Of' Urs does selective interior demolition and hauls the debris across Toronto and the GTA. We only do non-structural interior work, and we will tell you when a job belongs to someone else.

Selective demolition, defined

Selective demolition is the planned removal of specific interior components while the structure, and anything you want to keep, stays in place. You may also hear it called interior demolition, a tear-out, a strip-out, or soft strip. Soft strip is the term commercial projects often use for removing non-structural finishes and fixtures before a larger renovation.

The opposite is full demolition, where an entire building or structure comes down. That requires a demolition permit, heavy equipment, and a demolition contractor. Selective demolition happens inside a building that stays standing, often while people still live in part of it.

What is typically removed

Kitchens: upper and lower cabinets, countertops, backsplash tile, sinks and appliances once they are disconnected.

Bathrooms: vanities, toilets, tubs and shower surrounds, wall and floor tile, after a plumber has shut off and capped the supply lines.

Floors: carpet and underpad, laminate, engineered and solid hardwood, vinyl, and ceramic tile.

Walls and ceilings: drywall, non-load-bearing partition walls that your contractor or engineer has confirmed are non-structural, drop ceilings, trim, and interior doors.

Basements: old finishes, framing, carpet, and drop ceilings ahead of a refinish.

Commercial units: partitions, ceiling tiles, millwork, and flooring when a tenant space is being returned to base building or refitted.

What selective demolition never includes

Some work is outside selective demolition no matter how small it looks. Junk 'Of' Urs does not remove load-bearing walls, roofs, foundations, or slabs, and we do not do full building or garage teardowns or excavation. Those need a structural engineer, permits, and a demolition or general contractor.

We also do not remove asbestos or any other hazardous material. In Ontario, asbestos work is regulated and has to be done by trained, properly equipped workers following O. Reg. 278/05. If suspect material turns up, work stops until it has been tested and, if needed, removed by an abatement contractor.

Disconnecting gas, electrical, and plumbing is a job for qualified trades before we start. We remove the fixtures once they are safely disconnected.

Rules to check before a Toronto tear-out

Designated substances. Under section 30 of Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, the owner of a project must find out whether any designated substances (asbestos, lead, silica, and others) are present and give that list to the contractor before a contract is signed. The province states that this applies to homeowners undertaking projects, not just commercial owners. In older homes, materials such as some plaster, drywall joint compound, vinyl floor tiles, and insulation can contain asbestos, so testing before you disturb them is the safe order of operations.

Building permits. The City of Toronto requires a building permit for material alterations, such as adding or removing walls in a way that changes room sizes or uses, altering plumbing, or demolishing all or part of a building. Removing and replacing finishes, like swapping cabinets or flooring, often does not need one. The line depends on your scope, so confirm with Toronto Building or your contractor before work starts.

Condos. Condo corporations usually require management approval, set permitted work hours, and require service elevator bookings and padding for debris removal. Get those rules in writing before booking a crew.

Why choose selective demolition over a full gut

Keeping what is still good saves money twice: you do not pay to remove it, and you do not pay to replace it. It also means less debris going to the depot, less dust, and a faster start for your trades. In a 1920s house in Leaside or Lawrence Park, it can mean keeping original trim, doors, or hardwood while the kitchen and bath are redone. In a newer condo, it can mean replacing a bathroom without touching the rest of the unit.

Cabinets and fixtures in good condition can sometimes be removed carefully for reuse instead of broken out. Tell us before the job if that matters to you, because careful removal takes longer than a straight tear-out.

How selective demolition is priced

Our selective work is priced in two parts, plus HST: the debris haul and any tear-out labour.

The haul is priced by truck volume on our renovation and demolition debris rate card: a small pile is $99 to $150, an eighth of a load is $150 to $220, a quarter is $250 to $400, a half is $400 to $550, three quarters is $550 to $700, and a full load (about 15 cubic yards) is $650 to $850. Each full load includes 60 to 90 minutes of crew time on site.

Tear-out labour beyond that is $100 to $150 per hour for a two-person crew. Dense material like tile on a mortar bed, plaster, or stone counters goes on a heavy schedule, with a heavy-load minimum of $300 to $450 and weight overage charged per tonne. Stairs, basements, and long carries add $50 to $150 or more.

The process is simple. Send photos and a short list of what goes and what stays. We give you a range, confirm volume, access, and weight, and get your written yes before anything is removed.

Planning a tear-out?

If your contractor handles the demolition and you just need the debris gone, see our demolition debris removal service. If you need the tear-out itself, see our selective demolition service, and request a quote at junkofurs.com/quote with photos of each room and a note of what should stay.

Frequently asked questions

Is selective demolition the same as soft strip demolition?

They overlap. Soft strip usually means removing non-structural finishes and fixtures, often in commercial buildings. Selective demolition is the broader term for removing only chosen parts of a building's interior while the structure stays.

Do I need a permit for interior demolition in Toronto?

It depends on scope. The City of Toronto requires a building permit for material alterations, such as removing walls that change room sizes or uses, altering plumbing, or demolishing part of a building. Replacing finishes often does not. Confirm with Toronto Building before you start.

Does Junk 'Of' Urs remove load-bearing walls?

No. We only do non-structural interior work. Load-bearing walls, roofs, foundations, and full teardowns need an engineer, permits, and a demolition or general contractor.

What happens if you find asbestos during a tear-out?

Work stops. Asbestos has to be tested and, if present, removed by an abatement contractor under Ontario's asbestos regulation. We can finish the non-hazardous work and haul the debris after that.