Interior Demo Scope — What We Remove
Interior demo scope is driven by the renovation plan. We work from your architect's or GC's demo drawings and protect the structure, utilities, and finishes that stay. Everything specified for removal is taken down, sorted, and hauled.
- Partition and non-load-bearing wall removal
- Ceiling and soffit demo — including popcorn texture removal (asbestos test first)
- Flooring removal — vinyl, tile, hardwood, carpet, subfloor layers
- Kitchen and bath gut-out — cabinets, fixtures, plumbing rough-in access
- Window and door rough opening modification
- Basement and crawl space cleanup and clearing
- Commercial strip-out — tenant improvement demo, office suite clearing
SMAQMD Asbestos Rules for Interior Demo in Sacramento
Sacramento's older housing stock — substantial portions of Land Park, Curtis Park, East Sacramento, and Midtown were built before 1960 — means asbestos in interior finishes is the rule, not the exception. SMAQMD requires notification for all interior demo on pre-1981 structures before work begins.
- Asbestos common in Sacramento pre-1981 interiors: floor tiles, drywall compound, ceiling texture, pipe insulation
- SMAQMD NESHAP notification required before interior demo on pre-1981 structures
- Survey by licensed asbestos inspector before permit or work begins
- Positive test results require licensed abatement contractor before demo
- Lead-based paint testing also recommended for pre-1978 structures
- SMAQMD contact: airquality.org
Interior Demo for ADU Conversions in Sacramento
Garage-to-ADU conversions and attached-ADU buildouts are a major interior demo category in Sacramento. The work typically involves clearing interior walls, removing garage floor coatings, demo of any interior structures not on the ADU plan, and rough framing prep.
- Garage interior strip-out for ADU conversion
- Ceiling and insulation removal for new framing
- Existing floor tile and coating removal ahead of new concrete or subfloor
- Selective demo around utility rough-ins that will be reused
- Curtis Park, Land Park, Midtown, Tahoe Park — highest ADU conversion volume in Sacramento
Frequently asked questions
How much does interior demolition cost in Sacramento?
Selective interior demo — partition removal, flooring, fixtures — runs $3–$8 per sq ft. A full strip-out (everything to studs and subfloor) runs $8–$15 per sq ft. Asbestos abatement is separate and adds cost if materials test positive. Get a scope from your GC first — pricing is tighter when we work from a demo plan.
Do Sacramento's older homes typically have asbestos in the interior?
Yes, frequently. Sacramento bungalows and tract homes built before the late 1970s often contain asbestos in floor tiles, joint compound, ceiling texture, and pipe insulation. SMAQMD requires an asbestos survey before interior demo on pre-1981 structures. We can refer licensed surveyors — plan 1–2 weeks for survey and lab results.
Can you work from my GC's demo plan?
Yes — working from a demo plan is the preferred approach. It defines scope precisely, keeps protection of existing elements clear, and avoids disputes about what was and wasn't included. PDF or printed drawings work. If you don't have a formal demo plan, we can scope from a walkthrough.
Do you haul the debris from interior demo in Sacramento?
Yes. All debris is sorted and hauled out — wood and drywall to transfer station or Kiefer Landfill, concrete and tile to recycling where applicable. We don't leave material on-site overnight unless the project schedule specifically requires staging.