What do we need to gut the house?

[TerrysNo2]

DH and I are buying a house which needs total renovation. We will be doing the rip out this weekend (carpets, kitchen, bathroom, built in cupboards etc) and so I want to know what tools/things we need to do this?

So far I can think of:

• wall paper stripper
• Stanley knife
• screwdrivers

thanks!

Crow bar is enormously helpful for removing stubborn nails, prising up stuck floorboards (it's always the stuck one you need to get underneath to do something),
Sander/ sand paper

what would we need a sander or sand paper for?

Sorry that's for the next bit

Duck tape - just to tape over any sticky out bits of pipe or or raw edges to avoid catching yourselves on them or drips etc.
Really useful stuff to have in your toolbox IMO for just in case moments.

Dustpan & brush /broom - if you want to clear the worst as you go along.

Multi grips!!! Saves your nails. Grab edge of carpet with multigrips and pull hard. Very satisfying when the whole thing comes up.

Hammer and flat blade screwdriver for levering uo the gripper bars.

Pliers for pulling out under felt staples.

Enjoy!

Goggles and mask
Plasters and spray antiseptic
Builders gloves or hand protector
Junior hacksaw
Pliers and grips (spanner)
Skip
Bolster and hammer
As previously mentioned - crowbar
Stanley knife - you may want to cut the carpet up to make it easier to handle
Plant mister - fill with water, and when it becomes too dusty spray some water into the air to make the dust sink
Cleaning stuff - large dustpan and brush. Industrial vacuum cleaner, or something like a George. Don't use your normal vacuum cleaner or you will knacker it (voice of bitter experience)
Lots of old clothes or a boiler suit, something to wrap round your hair so that it doesn't feel like wire wool at the end of the day, and sturdy footwear to protect you tootsies
Flask of tea and something to sit on for when you need a rest. Also something sweet for when your energy goes completely!

Have fund

accident you have scared me

A skip. If not car boot liner, take to recycling place, sort into wood, plasterboardetc. Lots of black bags. Tea, water, snacks.
At the end of each session, sweep up. It will show you have much you have done. If you leave it lying around you will become frustrated and annoyed every time you trip, or you are looking for something buried under crud. Remember it WILL take longer than you expect. Good luck

LifeofPo I am veering in that direction! But we are trying to save a bit of money by doing this bit ourselves before the builder comes in next week.

A very big hammer and a cold chisel.

You absolutely don't need a builder. But a nearby B and Q and a tip will be good. Crowbar and a big hammer, as well as a Stanley knife (you will want to cut up the carpet) and duck tape, loads of rubble sacks, a couple of cold steel chisels if you're taking out any tiles or brick work and safety goggles. And a radio!

I ripped out my built in wardrobes (built in the seventies from the look of the wood and screws) with a drill driver, a crowbar and a hammer. It was fine.

If it is a lot definitely hire a skip. They come in various sizes, and believe me you do not want to spend hours loading and unloading your car. If you have a drive no problem, if it has to go on the road you'll need a license but the skip company will do this for you but sometimes need 7 days notice.

Someone above has mentioned this but definitely get some thick gloves. I know from experience that gardening gloves won't do it, you need the industrial ones. Carpet tacks are sharp! And dust masks are a must. Are you sure there is no asbestos? Have a google and check what to look for before you start. If there is, then you'll need to get it removed by someone else.

Where would asbestos be? We will be removing wallpaper, carpets, kitchen , bathroom but nothing major. The builders will be taking the walls down next week.

Just speaking from experience

Always seem to need the one tool I haven't got!

I would do one room at a time, then shut the door on that room and forget about it.

If you are having the walls re plastered then remove the skirting boards beforehand, then just replace them afterwards. You get a much neater finish.

In fact I paint them before putting them back again to save cutting in. Or paint the walls the same colour as the skirting board, but with the appropriate paint

And try to work systematically. Find out where the stopcock is, the fuse box and the drain tap for the central heating.

If its an old house with artex type wallpapers it may have asbestos. Surveyor should have flagged it in report though hopefully.

I'll just say that it's a lot harder than it looks. I had to rip out a cupboard, recently, and it was not the five minute job I'd anticipated.

If you aren't living there:

Kettle mugs spoon tea bags/coffee milk sugar chocolate cake and biscuits.
Loo paper.

Swarfega/soap and towel.
A couple of folding chairs.