What Does a Strip-Out Contractor Do?

How does a strip-out contractor start the process?

It begins before anyone swings a crowbar. If you’re wondering what does a strip-out contractor do at the start, it’s all about planning. They walk the site with you and the landlord’s brief in hand, comparing the current space to the “base build” you’re required to return. Every detail is documented—photos, dilapidation records, marked-up plans—so there’s no debate later about what was existing versus what your fit-out added. If permits or centre-management approvals are needed, they line those up too, including after-hours access, loading dock bookings, and waste room allocations.

How do they make the site safe before work begins?

Safety isn’t just about flicking a switch. Services are isolated and tagged out—power, lighting circuits, data, gas, hydraulics, fire detection, and sprinkler zones where required. This is lockout/tagout territory, not shortcuts. If there’s any hint of hazardous materials, like suspect mastics or pre-1990s linings, samples are arranged and licensed removalists are called in. Dust and noise controls are set: poly sheeting, HEPA scrubbers, and signage to keep the public safe. A professional defit service provider makes sure the space is controlled before any demolition starts.

What happens during the soft strip stage?

So, what does a strip-out contractor do once the site is safe? They move into what many call the “surgical tidy-up” phase. Loose furniture, fixtures, and equipment are cleared out first. Shopfitting elements such as joinery, signage, shelving, and point-of-sale counters are carefully dismantled next. Ceilings, light fittings, and feature bulkheads follow, with electricians disconnecting as they go. Everything is removed methodically rather than smashed, which keeps the project efficient, compliant, and easier to hand back at makegood stage.

How is demolition carried out?

Once the soft elements are gone, selective demolition begins. Non-structural walls are taken back to slab or grid, doors are removed, and floor finishes—carpet, vinyl, or timber—are stripped out. Adhesives are scraped off and slabs are ground smooth, ready for the next tenant. Services you installed, from ductwork to extra power skirting, are removed or reinstated to base condition. If a shopfront return is required, the façade is reinstated so the mall looks seamless again. This level of precision is why businesses rely on strip-out specialists for office defits and retail exits.

How do strip-out contractors manage waste?

Waste isn’t just thrown in a single skip. A contractor manages streams to avoid contamination: metals in one bin, clean timbers in another, plasterboard separated, general waste last. Tip dockets and recycling percentages are collected, which helps if you’re reporting on ESG or sustainability goals. In tight CBD locations, bin swaps and timing are managed carefully, another reason why professional contractors handle this better than a DIY approach.

What is included in the make-good stage?

This is where the real detail happens. Contractors patch walls, fill chase lines, and repair ceilings. Redundant holes are sealed, anchors are removed and patched, and paint is blended or recoated. Electrical boards are left tidy, circuits labelled, emergency lights recommissioned, and fire systems signed off. The goal of defits and makegood services is simple: return the tenancy to a clean base-build condition, ready for the landlord’s inspection or a new fit-out.

How is the site cleaned and handed over?

Fine dust is the enemy of a successful handover. Contractors carry out detailed cleans with HEPA vacuums, high-level wipe-downs, and final floor scrubs so the space presents as a blank canvas. Plant rooms, risers, and back-of-house corridors are checked too. At the end, you receive a handover pack—photos, waste reports, compliance certificates—and a joint walk-through with the landlord or centre manager. Any minor touch-ups are handled promptly, protecting your bond and ensuring no loose ends.

So, what does a strip-out contractor really do?

They plan, make safe, dismantle with precision, manage waste, restore the base build, and hand the space back with a professional record. So, if you’ve ever asked yourself what does a strip-out contractor do beyond basic demolition, the answer is simple: they give businesses in Perth peace of mind. By working with a professional defit service provider who understands office defits, shopfitting removals, and makegood obligations, you protect your lease commitments and your reputation. In short, they turn a noisy goodbye into a clean exit—so your team can focus on the next opening instead of the last one.