Walls and Ceilings - Removing drywall wall

We're interested in removing a wall and a couple of closets in our new home. The previous owner added these, so we know they're not load-bearing.

How do we begin? What tools will we need? I assume there will be alot of spackling to do on the intersecting wall and ceiling when the wall is gone....what else should we keep in mind?

Thanks!
--Alleghator

Basically, the wall comes down in the reverse of the way it was put up. Get yourself some hammers, a wrecking bar and a wonder bar. Use eye protection also. Also, you will need a place to dispose of the debri. You would want to protect the rest of the house from dust, dirt, etc. If you are trying to protect the floorcovering, use a dropcloth. Cut off the power to any electrical in the wall.

Remove the doors and then remove the trim. After that, remove the drywall by knocking holes in it and pulling it off. It is a nasty job. Knock the studs out one at the time and then remove your top and bottom plate. Remove any electrical by tracing it back to where it originates from and safely leave it in an electrical box.

Cleanup and finishing can now be done.

It is a nasty job, but you can reduce the mess by cutting along the center of the wall studs with a sharp knife. You really only need to cut through the paper. All the way through will reduce the mess even further, but is a lot more work. Good Luck