Not All Demolition Is the Same
When most people think about demolition, they picture big machines knocking down entire buildings. But there is another way that is smarter, safer, and better for the environment — it is called selective demolition.
At TheFixitGuys, we do selective demolition with care and planning. This helps save good materials, protect nearby buildings, and reduce waste. In this blog, we will explain what selective demolition is, how it works, and why many homeowners and builders in Toronto are choosing it.
What Is Selective Demolition?
Selective demolition means only removing the parts of a building you don’t need, and keeping the parts you want to save.
This could mean:
- Taking out one room but keeping the rest of the house.
- Removing old walls while keeping the floors and roof.
- Taking apart a building step by step to save wood, bricks, or metal.
It’s like doing surgery on a building instead of smashing everything at once.
Why Do People Choose Selective Demolition?
There are many reasons why someone in Toronto might choose selective demolition instead of full demolition:
- To save money
- To reuse good materials
- To protect nearby buildings
- To prepare for renovations
- To follow city rules
- To be eco-friendly
Whether you are updating your home or working on a construction site, this method helps you do the job safely and responsibly.
Where Do We Use It?
We often use selective demolition in:
- Old houses being renovated
- Heritage buildings
- Commercial buildings needing upgrades
- Parts of buildings with damage (water, fire, mould)
- Homes with asbestos or other dangerous materials
In all these cases, we don’t destroy everything. We carefully take out only the parts that need to go.
Our Step-by-Step Process
Here’s how we do selective demolition at TheFixitGuys, step by step:
1. Inspection and Planning
We start by visiting your site in Toronto. We look at the building and see:
- What needs to be removed
- What can be kept or reused
- What safety risks we need to watch for (like asbestos or lead)
Then we make a full plan so the job is done safely and on time.
2. Getting Permits (If Needed)
In some cases, the City of Toronto may require permits. If you need one, we help with the paperwork and make sure we follow all local rules.
3. Disconnecting Utilities
We make sure to safely turn off:
- Water
- Gas
- Electricity
This keeps everyone safe before we begin.
4. Soft Demolition
We start by removing non-structural parts, such as:
- Cabinets
- Drywall
- Windows
- Doors
- Fixtures and appliances
We remove these by hand or with small tools, to avoid damage to the parts of the building that will stay.
5. Structural Demolition
Next, we carefully remove walls, floors, beams, and other big parts. Our team uses tools like:
- Saws
- Jackhammers
- Small machines
This step takes time, but it avoids damage to nearby areas or materials we plan to reuse.
6. Salvaging Materials
We sort and save useful materials such as:
- Bricks
- Wood
- Steel
- Pipes
- Stone
- Hardwood flooring
These items can be reused in new projects, sold, or donated. This helps lower costs and helps the environment.
7. Waste Management
We separate all leftover waste. Materials that cannot be reused are sent to recycling centres. We try to send as little waste as possible to landfills.
8. Clean-up and Final Check
We finish by:
- Cleaning the area
- Double-checking that nothing important was removed
- Making sure the space is ready for your next project (renovation or construction)
How Is It Different from Full Demolition?
| Feature | Selective Demolition | Full Demolition |
|---|---|---|
| Removes only part of the building | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Saves good materials | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Safer for nearby homes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Creates less dust and noise | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Slower but more careful | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Good for renovations | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Uses small tools and skilled workers | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Good for the environment | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Benefits of Selective Demolition
Here’s why selective demolition is becoming popular in Toronto:
1. Saves Money
Even though it takes longer, you can sell or reuse saved materials. This cuts the cost of buying new stuff and lowers waste disposal fees.
2. Better for the Environment
We reuse wood, metal, stone, and more. This means less waste goes to landfills and fewer new materials need to be made.
3. Makes Renovation Easier
When you want to renovate just one room, selective demolition makes it possible. We can clear out the space you need while protecting the rest of your home.
4. Keeps Your Home Safe
Our step-by-step work means less mess, less noise, and fewer risks. If your home is next to another building, this is very important.
5. Helps Save Old and Special Buildings
Some buildings in Toronto have history or beautiful old features. With selective demolition, we keep what matters most and remove only what needs to change.
Things to Consider Before You Start
Before hiring us for selective demolition, here are a few things to think about:
- How old is your building? (Old buildings may have dangerous materials)
- What are your renovation plans?
- How much space is around your building?
- Do you want to reuse old materials?
- Do you need permits?
We are happy to help you answer all these questions before the job begins.
Final Thoughts
Selective demolition is a smart, safe, and eco-friendly way to remove parts of a building in Toronto. Whether you’re planning a home renovation or fixing up a commercial property, this method gives you more control and less waste.
At TheFixitGuys, we do every job with care, skill, and full respect for your home and the environment. We plan everything with you so that your project goes smoothly from start to finish.
If you’re thinking about selective demolition, we are here to help. Let’s talk about how we can remove only what’s needed and keep everything else safe, clean, and ready for the next step.
