Partial and Half House Demolition with Propping
Taking half a structure down and keeping the rest standing safely. Engineered temporary works, propping, and a clean cut line, for builders, developers and property owners.
- ✓Engineered propping so the retained half stays safe
- ✓Clean saw cut line, sealed and weather tight
- ✓Hand demolition close to what stays
- ✓Class A and B asbestos licensed
- ✓Dilapidation and party wall surveys before we start
Why half a house is harder than a whole one
A partial demolition is not a smaller version of a full knock down. The moment you remove half a structure, the half that stays has lost bracing, load paths and sometimes its roof support. That is engineering work, not machine work, and it is where the risk sits.
1. Structural assessment first
Before anything is cut we work out what is carrying load: walls, beams, roof structure and shared footings. Where the retained structure needs support, an engineer designs the temporary works.
2. Propping and temporary works
Acrow props, strongbacks, needle beams and steel goalposts installed to hold the retained section while the demolition half comes away. Propping stays until the permanent structure is built back.
3. Cut line and weather sealing
A clean saw cut line rather than a torn edge, then the exposed face sealed and hoarded so the retained half stays weather tight and secure between stages.
4. Hand demolition where it matters
Close to the retained structure or a shared boundary we work by hand and with small plant instead of an excavator, so there is no vibration damage to what stays or to the neighbour.
5. Hazardous material
Older dwellings mean asbestos sheeting, lead paint and buried material. We hold the Class A and B licences, so removal happens under the same contract instead of stopping the job.
6. Services and neighbours
Power, water, gas and sewer isolated and capped properly, with dilapidation and party wall surveys done before we start so nobody argues about existing cracks afterwards.
Where this comes up: knock down and rebuild where one wing stays, dual occupancy splits, semi detached and terrace separations, heritage facades retained while everything behind comes out, and extensions removed from a building that stays occupied.
Questions we get asked about partial demolition
Do we need an engineer, or can you just do it?
If load bearing structure is being removed, you need engineered temporary works. We arrange it as part of the job so you are not chasing a separate consultant.
How long does propping stay up?
Until your builder has the permanent structure in. We coordinate the handover so props come out at the right stage rather than holding up the build.
Can you work with the neighbour attached to us?
Yes. Semi detached and terrace separations are common work. We do the dilapidation survey, protect the party wall and keep the neighbour informed.
Is a single building too small a job?
No. Partial demolition and propping jobs are work we actively want, and we price them quickly.
Send us the plans
Tell us what stays and what goes, and we will come back with a methodology, propping approach and a price.
Call 02 7908 4944
Perfect Stripout & Demolition acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Traditional Custodians of the country on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians and Elders past, present and future, and honour their connection to the land and ongoing contribution to society.