There is no single price for a strip-out. It is quoted job by job, because the cost depends on what is being removed, how big the space is, how easy it is to access, and how much waste comes out. This guide explains exactly what goes into a strip-out quote so you can budget realistically and compare quotes properly, whether you are renovating a single bathroom or fitting out a commercial tenancy on the Gold Coast or Brisbane.
What a strip-out actually includes
A strip-out (also called internal demolition, or a defit or make-good for commercial spaces) is the removal of the non-structural parts of a building so a renovation or new fit-out can begin. A typical quote covers:
- Removal of fixtures, fittings, cabinetry and joinery
- Tile, floor covering and substrate removal
- Wall and ceiling lining removal where specified
- Non-structural wall removal where required
- Loading, hauling and responsible disposal of all waste
- A clean, trade-ready hand-over
Two strip-outs that sound the same, "just a bathroom", can be priced very differently depending on the points below. That is normal, and it is why a fixed-scope written quote matters.
How strip-outs are priced
Most residential strip-outs are quoted as a fixed price for the job, set after a site assessment or a review of photos and plans. Some elements are commonly priced per square metre, particularly tile removal, concrete grinding and large floor-covering removals, because the work scales directly with area. Commercial strip-outs and defits are usually quoted on floor area and scope, against the make-good clause in the lease.
The key point: a credible quote is fixed-scope and itemised, so you know exactly what is included before work starts.
What changes the price: the seven main factors
Seven things move a strip-out quote up or down:
- Size of the space — floor area and ceiling height. More to remove means more hours and more waste.
- What is being removed — a fixture-only strip is quick; one that also includes tiles, tile bedding, wall linings and substrate grinding is a much bigger job.
- Tiling — tiles laid on a thick sand-and-cement bed take far longer to remove than thin-set tiles, and the substrate often needs grinding afterward.
- Access — ground floor with a driveway is straightforward; an upper storey, a high-rise unit needing a lift booking, or a tight inner-city site adds time and handling.
- Waste volume and type — disposal is a real cost and it rises with volume.
- Hidden conditions — older homes hide surprises behind walls and under floors; a good contractor flags this honestly up front.
- Timeframe and hours — standard hours are cheaper than after-hours or weekend work, which commercial jobs often need to hit a handover date.
A note on asbestos and hazardous materials
In homes built or renovated before the late 1980s, materials such as fibre-cement sheeting may contain asbestos. If suspect material is present it must be identified and handled by a licensed asbestos removalist; this is a separate, regulated scope and is not part of a standard strip-out price. A reputable contractor will pause and advise you rather than disturb suspect material. Budget for an inspection if your property is older.
Typical timeframes
Timeframes are easier to pin down than price, and they give a good sense of the scale of each job:
- Bathroom strip-out: usually 1 to 2 days
- Kitchen strip-out: often a single day
- Full-home or pre-renovation strip-out: several days to a week, depending on size
- Commercial strip-out or defit: a small office or shop is often 1 to 3 days; larger tenancies are staged around the handover date
Why the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest job
A very low quote usually means something has been left out: waste disposal, substrate preparation, wall make-good, or a realistic allowance for the tile bed. Those gaps reappear as variations mid-job, or as extra cost for the next trade who has to fix a rushed strip-out. When you compare quotes, check that each one is fixed-scope, states what is and is not included, and clearly covers rubbish removal and a trade-ready finish. A slightly higher quote that is genuinely complete is almost always the cheaper outcome.
How to get an accurate number
The only accurate strip-out cost is one quoted against your actual space. To get a reliable quote:
- Provide clear photos of every area, and plans if you have them
- Be specific about what stays and what goes
- Mention the property's age and any known issues
- Ask for the quote in writing, fixed-scope and itemised
Strip It Out provides free, fixed-scope written quotes for residential and commercial strip-outs across the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Get in touch with photos of your project and we will give you a clear, no-obligation price, and an honest timeline to match.