Wall Hacking and Built-in Removal for Residential Condo at Hougang Street 92

Project Overview

The client, a condominium owner in Singapore, engaged us to completely strip out a series of built‑in elements that were no longer suitable for the new interior concept. The scope covered three distinct zones: the living/bedroom area, the yard side cabinet, and two bathroom spaces (common toilet and master toilet).

Our team performed a coordinated demolition that included:

Wall hacking to expose the underlying substrate around the yard cabinet, bathroom vanity, and top‑hung sanitary cabinet.
Floor & tile removal where necessary to free up the wood platform beneath the TV console and to clear the tiled floors around the removed bathroom fixtures.
Built‑in carpentry, cabinet and kitchen dismantling & removal for the yard cabinet, bedroom built‑ins (cupboards and Murphy bed), TV console, mirror, wood panel, and the floor wood platform.
General dismantling & disposal of all debris, ensuring the condo’s common areas and neighbouring units remained clean and undisturbed.

The result was a clean, empty envelope ready for the client’s subsequent fit‑out, delivered on schedule and with minimal impact on the building’s occupants.

Technical Challenges

Limited Access in a High‑Rise Condo
Working within a typical Singapore condo unit means narrow corridors and shared service lifts. Extracting large built‑ins such as the Murphy bed and the yard cabinet required precise staging, the use of compact hand tools, and careful sequencing to avoid blocking hallways or over‑loading service elevators.
Preserving Adjacent Finishes While Hacking Walls
The bathroom demolitions demanded selective wall hacking to remove the top‑hung sanitary cabinet and the vanity basin’s surrounding cabinetry without damaging the surrounding ceramic tiles and painted walls. We had to expose service points while keeping the integrity of the existing tiling, which required controlled hand‑tool work and constant monitoring of vibration.
Managing Heavy Wood Platform and Integrated Millwork
The floor wood platform supporting the TV console and the integrated wood panel were anchored to both the floor and the wall. Removing them without compromising the structural floor joists or the surrounding plaster required incremental dismantling, temporary bracing, and the use of suction lifts for safe extraction.
Dust Containment in a Residential Setting
Demolition of bathroom fixtures and floor finishes can generate fine dust that easily spreads to neighbouring units. Implementing localized dust‑control measures—such as HEPA‑rated vacuums, wet‑cut techniques for tile removal, and protective sheeting around the work zones—was essential to meet the client’s expectations for a clean environment.

Project Considerations

Protection of Non‑Demolition Areas – We laid down protective film on all walls, ceilings, and floor surfaces that were not part of the demolition. Furniture and fixtures in adjoining rooms were covered with drop cloths, and we sealed doorways with temporary barriers to prevent dust migration.
Neighbour‑Unit Disruption Minimisation – All noisy activities (e.g., hammering, floor scraping) were scheduled during the daytime window approved by the building management. We used insulated tools and communicated the work schedule to neighbours via the condo’s notice board and a direct WhatsApp group, keeping everyone informed of progress.
Dust Control & Containment – Portable negative‑pressure units were positioned at each demolition zone. Wet‑sawing of tiles limited airborne particles, while hand‑held vacuums captured dust at the source during wall hacking and cabinet dismantling.
Progress Documentation & Communication – Throughout the project we captured daily photos and compiled a concise progress report shared on WhatsApp with the homeowner and the interior designer. This transparent communication ensured rapid decision‑making on any arising issues, such as unexpected service pipe locations.
Safe Disposal – All dismantled components—including wood panels