Demolition in a renovation: what to remove and what to keep

When to start demolition

In the app's route, the “Demolition” stage comes right after “Planning”. It's an “if needed” stage: if you answered in the survey that nothing will be demolished, the app removes it.

Before the first blow of the hammer drill, three questions are closed in “Planning”:

• the design is approved - the “Approve the design” item: every decision is made, and only then does rough work begin;
• approval is checked - the “Check whether the layout change needs approval” and “Get the required permits (if needed)” items. If you're changing walls, wet areas or openings, the permit is obtained before work starts;
• common areas are protected - the “Protect common areas” item (lift, entrance) and “Arrange construction waste removal”. In many residential complexes protecting the lift and hall is mandatory, and waste removal follows the building's rules. Ask building management about the requirements.

Demolition without a design is the costliest mistake at the start of a renovation: a wall knocked down by mistake has to be built again.

What is usually removed

The items of the “Demolition” stage in the new-build route:

1. Partitions - according to the design and only if they are not load-bearing.
2. Plaster - if you've decided to re-plaster. First assess what the developer did: flat, solid plaster can stay. How to check it is in Wall flatness: how to check it and what to put in writing.
3. Floor screed - usually only if there are defects or the floor level changes.
4. Radiators - with a caveat, see below.
5. The developer's wiring - cables, back boxes and equipment that won't be needed. Cut the power before you start.
6. Plumbing pipes and outlets - if there will be new pipework. Shut off the water before you start.
7. Clean-up - the debris is hauled away and the space is prepared for the next stage.
8. Accepting the stage.

In a new build, windows are replaced in their own stage, “Window replacement”: the old window comes out and the new one goes in on the same day, so the apartment is never left without windows.

What not to touch, or to touch only with approval

Load-bearing walls

The partitions item says it plainly: only if they are not load-bearing. Which wall is load-bearing is shown in the building's design. Check this with building management or a design engineer, not by eye. Removing a partition or making a new opening is a layout change; when it needs approval is covered in Apartment alterations: what you can do without approval.

Radiators

A radiator is removed only if its connection has valves and a bridging pipe (bypass). Without them, a removed radiator leaves the whole riser without heating, and it's building management that will have to shut the riser off - agree this with them in advance.

Risers and shared pipes

The pipework inside the apartment is changed according to your own design - these are the pipes and outlets from the list above. A shared riser is a different matter: the route says outright that moving anything on the hot water riser is a re-fitting, done only through building management. Under the Housing Code, re-fitting is installing, replacing or moving utility networks and equipment in a way that requires changes to the premises' technical passport (Housing Code of the Russian Federation, article 25, part 1). Re-fitting without approval is considered unauthorised (article 29, part 1).

The front door

The old front door is not removed during demolition. In the route it's replaced during “Final installation”: the new one goes in after the messy work, and the old one is taken out the same day. Until then the old or a temporary door protects the entrance.

Demolition in a resale flat

In an old building the stage is the same, but with the “Resale” route's adjustments:

• old plaster is tapped: plaster that has come away is removed entirely;
• old wiring is removed completely, especially aluminium wiring;
• where to put the skip and how to protect the stairwell and lift is checked with building management.

What else to check in an old apartment before demolition is in Renovating a resale flat: what to check and where to start.

Neighbours and noise

Demolition is the noisiest part of a renovation. The hours and days when noisy work is allowed are set by local rules and the building's rules - ask building management before work starts. Warn the neighbours and agree where the skip will stand.

How to accept demolition

The last item of the stage is “Accept the stage”: check that all planned work is done. At acceptance, look at:

• everything in the design has been removed, and nothing extra;
• load-bearing walls and shared pipes are untouched;
• disconnected cables are insulated, pipes are capped;
• the debris is gone, the lift and hall are undamaged.

The contractor checks off the items in the app and sends the stage for review; you or the designer accept it. How this works is in How to accept a crew's work stage by stage.

Checklist before demolition

• The design is approved, and the plan shows what is to be removed.
• You've checked whether approval is needed; if it is, the permit has been obtained.
• Load-bearing walls are marked and left alone.
• Lift protection, waste removal and, if needed, a riser shutoff are agreed with building management.
• The power is off and the water is shut off.
• The neighbours are warned and the noisy-work hours are known.
• The front door stays until final installation.