Interior Demolition & Strip-Out in Ontario
Interior demolition, often called strip-out, is the gutting work that happens before a renovation or fit-out: stripping drywall, flooring, ceiling tile, fixtures, non-structural partitions, and old mechanical or electrical runs down to the studs or slab. It's distinct from full building demolition because the building envelope, structure, and often the neighbouring units stay in place and in use. This category covers 53 contractors across Ontario who do this kind of work, from single-room condo strip-outs to full-floor commercial gut jobs and restaurant or retail teardowns ahead of a new build-out.
The work usually includes protecting shared corridors and elevators in multi-unit buildings, containing dust with poly barriers and negative air pressure where needed, safely removing ceiling tile and old lighting, and sorting debris for disposal or recycling. Anything built before the early 1990s may have asbestos in flooring, ceiling tile, drywall joint compound, or pipe insulation, so a hazardous materials survey should happen before any tools come out, not after.
What to check before you hire
- Asbestos and hazmat handling: ask whether they arrange a pre-demolition survey and whether they're licensed for abatement themselves or bring in a certified sub.
- Insurance and WSIB coverage: confirm current liability insurance and WSIB clearance, especially for work inside occupied buildings.
- Building and condo board experience: strip-outs in occupied towers need scheduled elevator use, corridor protection, and noise/dust control that a condo board will sign off on.
- Debris removal and disposal: ask how they haul waste, where it goes, and whether recyclable materials (metal, wood) are separated out.
- Fixed quotes vs. time and material: strip-out scope is usually easy to quote firmly once a walkthrough is done, so be wary of open-ended pricing on straightforward jobs.
Our scores weigh licensing and insurance status, verified reviews, response time, and how consistently a contractor's project history matches the scope they advertise. For a ranked shortlist of the top performers in this category, see our best demolition contractors guide. The full scoring criteria are explained on our methodology page.
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All interior demolition & strip-out, ranked by score and relevance
79 businesses. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is interior demolition & strip-out, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
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Common questions about interior demolition & strip-out
- How much does interior demolition or strip-out cost in Ontario?
- Most residential strip-outs (a kitchen, bathroom, or basement) run a few thousand dollars depending on square footage, whether hazmat is involved, and how much has to be hand-carried out of the unit. Commercial strip-outs are usually priced per square foot and vary a lot based on ceiling height, how much mechanical and electrical has to come out, and disposal volume. Get a walkthrough quote rather than a phone estimate, since access and material type change the price quickly.
- Do I need an asbestos survey before interior demolition?
- If the building or unit was built or last renovated before the early 1990s, yes. Materials like vinyl floor tile, ceiling tile, drywall compound, and pipe insulation from that era can contain asbestos, and disturbing it without testing is both a health risk and a compliance issue. A reputable strip-out contractor will ask for or arrange a survey before quoting firm work in older buildings.
- What should I expect during a strip-out project?
- Expect a walkthrough and quote first, then a scheduled start with poly barriers or dust containment set up before any demo begins. In occupied buildings, work is usually restricted to certain hours and debris removal is coordinated through a service elevator or loading dock. A straightforward room or unit strip-out typically takes one to a few days; larger commercial floors can run one to several weeks depending on scope.
- How do I judge the quality of a demolition contractor before hiring?
- Look past the lowest quote and check whether they carry current liability insurance and WSIB coverage, whether they've handled buildings similar to yours (condo, commercial, industrial), and how they answer questions about hazmat and disposal without being asked twice. A contractor who wants to walk the site before quoting is usually more reliable than one who prices sight unseen.
Guides to choosing interior demolition & strip-out
- Mould, lead paint and other risks when gutting an older home
What to check for before an interior strip-out on an older Ontario property: mould, lead paint, asbestos, and how to sequence testing safely.