Preparation
What should be cleared out of a house before demolition day?
By Anchor Demolition Scarborough
Remove personal belongings, furniture, reusable items, food, chemicals, fuel, propane cylinders and household hazardous waste before demolition day. Anything being salvaged should also be labelled and removed before ordinary tear-out begins.
A clear building lets the crew inspect rooms, confirm the scope and keep incompatible materials out of demolition loads.
Start with contents
Work room by room and separate keep, donate, recycle and approved-disposal items. Do not leave unidentified containers for the demolition crew to sort during structural work.
Identify restricted material
Paint, solvents, fuel, batteries, cylinders and electronics may require dedicated programs. Building materials are a separate issue: the owner must address designated-substance information under OHSA section 30.
Before committing to a method, document what stays, what goes and what condition the site must be in for the next trade. Photographs, measurements and a walk-through reduce assumptions. Permit, utility and designated-substance requirements must be resolved for the actual property rather than inferred from a similar job.
Protect what remains
Mark fixtures or architectural elements intended for salvage. Remove keys, documents and valuables, and confirm whether appliances are disconnected and included in the scope.
When to bring in a professional
A professional site review makes sense when the work affects a building, buried or overhead services, a shared boundary, structural elements, hazardous materials or the public right-of-way. Anchor Demolition Scarborough reviews access and the requested handover, then puts the demolition scope in writing before work is scheduled.
Questions about this topic
- Can furniture go into demolition debris?
- It should be handled as a separate clear-out stream unless the written scope says otherwise.
- What about paint cans?
- Use an approved household hazardous waste program rather than a mixed demolition load.
- Should appliances be removed?
- Confirm disconnection and removal responsibilities before demolition day.
- Can fixtures be saved?
- Yes, but salvage items must be identified before ordinary demolition begins.
Continue planning
Check requirements for your property
For requirements discussed in this guide, consult the applicable municipality and current primary sources before arranging work.