Residential Demolition: What You Need to Know

Demolishing a house is more or less straightforward and uncomplicated; however, it can be intimidating for anyone doing it for the first time. You do have some considerations and decisions to make before you move forward.

Read on to find out what to know about residential demolition to ensure that the process goes smoothly for everyone involved.

Step 1: Decide which demolition method you want

The first thing you need to do is decide on which kind of demolition is the best choice for the home. The most common demolition method is mechanical demolition, which involves tearing down the house using a hydraulic excavator along with other heavy-duty machinery. This is often the least expensive and quickest way to go about demolition.

The other method is deconstruction, i.e., demolishing the building by hand. This involves manually stripping the house down piece by piece with the intention of salvaging much of the home’s materials. This is more environmentally friendly but more expensive. Some people choose a combination of machinery and deconstruction demolition to preserve the most valuable, reusable materials.

Step 2: Find the best contractor

You want a licensed and insured demolition contractor who will help you every step of the way. Get quotes in writing from several contractors. Then talk to friends, and look up reviews online to find out which one is best suited for the job.

Step 3: Get a professional to do an inspection

Many states mandate that older houses and buildings be inspected before demolition. These professionals look for things like lead paint, mold, rotted wood and other hazardous materials. In some cases, remediation may need to be done to remove any toxic materials.

Step 4: Secure the right permits

You will want to check with local officials on which permits are needed for residential demolition. These could include permits for noise, hours of demolition and for disposal of debris.

Step 5: Disconnect services

You’ll want to make certain to disconnect electricity, water, sewage and gas before demolition. In particular, gas and electricity can be dangerous if they are not deactivated. Failing to disconnect services can also put surrounding infrastructure and neighboring homes at risk.

Step 6: Make sure the area is safe

Adding temporary fencing around the property is helpful to keep people away from any potentially dangerous areas. Having a conversation with your neighbors prior to demolition is also a smart idea to warn them about the noise and the possible hazard.

Step 7: Arrange for salvage and debris removal

Work with your contractor to ensure that materials are either salvaged or properly disposed of. You may want to check in with local organizations if there are any reusable items that you wish to donate.

We hope these residential demolition tips are useful to get you started. If you’re looking for the best in the business, then turn to Estes Excavating Inc. We have been a premier provider of commercial excavating and demolition services since 1974, so call now or stop in today to speak to a member of our staff. We look forward to hearing from you!

Categorised in: Demolition Services

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