Almost every renovation starts with taking things out. In Istria that often means more than expected: two layers of tiles on top of each other, a bathroom from the 1980s, a kitchen nobody wants, and a konoba full of old furniture left by the previous owners. Demolition is hard, dusty work, and getting rid of the waste properly is half the job. We organise both.
What we do
- Interior strip-outs. Removing old tiles, bathroom fittings, kitchens, floor coverings, plasterboard and suspended ceilings.
- Non-load-bearing walls. Taking out partitions to open up a room, once it is clear that the wall carries no load.
- Rubble removal. Loading and taking away rubble, tiles, plaster and other construction waste, by van or with a skip where there is space.
- Bulky waste. Old furniture, mattresses, appliances and everything else left in a house you have just bought.
- Carrying heavy items. Getting heavy or awkward things out of narrow stairways and old-town houses.
How construction waste and bulky waste are handled in Istria, and what a skip involves, is explained in our guide to demolition and waste disposal in Istria. If you are looking at a run-down property, also read buying a ruin in Istria: clearing it is often the first real cost.
Safety first
Before a wall comes down, we need to know whether it carries load. If there is any doubt, a structural engineer should look at it, and some changes may need a permit, depending on the building and the municipality; see our general guide to renovation permits in Croatia. Some older buildings have roofing or pipes made with asbestos cement. If we suspect it, we stop and tell you: that material has to be handled by a specialised company, not by a general demolition crew.
How it works when you are abroad
- Send photos or a video of what has to go, and tell us about access: stairs, distance from the road, parking.
- We give you a rough range for the demolition and the waste removal.
- We agree a date, and if necessary arrange a skip or more trips with the van.
- You receive photos of the empty, cleared space, ready for the next trade.
What affects the price
The amount and type of material, how hard it is to remove (tiles on concrete take longer than tiles on plaster), how far the waste has to be carried, and access for a van or skip. Old towns like Rovinj/Rovigno, Poreč/Parenzo or Motovun/Montona, with narrow lanes and stairs, take more time than a house with a driveway. Disposal costs depend on the type and quantity of waste. For a first estimate of a whole project, try the free renovation cost calculator.
Demolition is usually the first step of a renovation or a bathroom renovation. If you are also moving furniture between houses, see our moving and transport service, and for clearing overgrown land around the house, garden care.
Send us photos of what needs to go on WhatsApp, and we will give you a rough range for the demolition and removal.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take out a bathroom and leave the room ready for renovation?
Yes. We remove tiles, fittings and old pipes where needed, take the rubble away and leave the room ready for the next trades.
Do you take away old furniture and bulky waste?
Yes. We can clear old furniture, mattresses, appliances and other bulky waste from a house or apartment and dispose of it.
Can you remove a wall?
Non-load-bearing walls, yes. If there is any doubt about whether a wall carries load, a structural engineer should check it first, and some changes may need a permit.
What about asbestos?
If we suspect asbestos, for example in old roof sheets or pipes, we stop and tell you. It has to be removed by a specialised company.
Guides on this topic
Demolition and construction waste in Istria: how disposal works
Rubble, old tiles, furniture and bulky waste: how demolition and waste disposal generally work in Istria, and what owners should check.
Buying a Ruin in Istria: A Renovation Reality Check
Thinking of buying a stone ruin in Istria? What to inspect, which costs hide behind a low price, and how long restoring it really takes.
How Much Does a Renovation Cost in Istria in 2026?
Rough renovation cost ranges per m² in Istria for 2026, including VAT, what really drives the price, and how to check a quote before you sign.