What 'Studs-Out' Really Means
A true gut takes the building down to its skeleton — exterior sheathing, floor joists, ceiling joists, roof rafters. Everything else goes: drywall, plaster, lath, insulation, flooring, subfloor where compromised, all mechanicals, all fixtures, all cabinets.
The result is a blank canvas for your framer to sister joists, your plumber to re-stack, and your electrician to re-wire — without fighting old material the whole way.
Built for Chicago's Two-Flats and Three-Flats
We've gutted hundreds of Chicago multi-units. We know how to drop a 100-year-old plaster ceiling without cracking the unit below, how to handle balloon-framed walls that run two stories, and how to pull out a 200-amp service safely.
If you're converting a two-flat to a single-family, deconverting, or doing a unit-by-unit rehab on an occupied building, we'll sequence the demo to keep your tenants whole and your timeline tight.
Hauling, Dumpsters, and Cleanup Included
Every gut quote we write includes containers, hauling, sweeping, and final walk-through. You don't coordinate dumpsters, you don't pay disposal tickets, and you don't have a debris pile sitting in the alley waiting on a pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a typical Chicago gut take?
A single-family or condo unit averages 5–7 working days. A full two-flat runs 8–12. We'll commit to a hard finish date in writing.
Do you save salvageable materials?
On request, yes — original trim, doors, hardware, and fixtures can be carefully removed and stacked for reuse or resale.
Can you start before my permits are issued?
We can start interior, non-structural demo on most projects with an Easy Permit or while the full permit is in review. We'll advise on what's allowed.