Demolishing a structure may sound pretty complex, but it need not be very daunting if you have the know-how and the tools and machinery for it. It can be a straightforward process if you take the time to educate yourself about it. But home demolition is not for everyone, and it’s always best to turn to a professional so they can do it properly – and quickly, too. It also pays to learn as much as you can about the process to ensure it is done right – without any risk to anyone or nearby properties and structures. So what do you need to know about home demolition? Here’s your absolute guide to tackling a demolition project.
- Choose the ideal method
Demolition experts will tell you that there are several major ways to bring down a structure: you can either do it the mechanical way, do it by hand (the manual way), or have a mixture of each. This will mostly depend on the kind of structure you have and how extensive it is. If you go the mechanical route, this is the most popular. You can easily tear down a building or house using heavy equipment and machinery such as a hydraulic excavator. You can then haul the debris from the site with a dumpster or trailer. The cost of such a project can range from $4000 to $14,000, depending on your location and the extent of the work, and you can turn to house demolition companies who can handle it all for you – including the hauling of debris and proper disposal.
If you choose to do it by hand (also called deconstruction), you will have to strip and deconstruct the building bit by bit manually, and you can salvage various materials. With this process, you can reuse or recycle as much as 70% of your materials, including beams, windows, lumber, and doors. Of course, a home demolition company can also take care of this, taking off lighting fixtures, doors, tubs, sinks, window glass, and copper pipes individually. But since this involves more labor, you will have to shell out about two to three times more than mechanical demolition.
You can, however, opt for a combination of the two – a demolition and deconstruction project where you can go through the house and try to salvage some portions. Once you have salvaged the materials that can be salvaged, you can then have the structure demolished.
- Select the proper contractor
Your best bet is a demolition contractor with a lot of experience, and when selecting one, have them go to the site itself; this way, they can give you recommendations on which method may work best for you. Make sure you discuss each option thoroughly, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them. Ask for estimates or proposals in writing, and when checking these out, make sure it confirms who will be responsible for securing (and paying for) permits.
- Schedule an inspection
When you’ve chosen a demolition company, ask them about the inspection regulations in your specific area because many states will require an inspection for older houses or buildings, especially to confirm the presence of lead paint, mold, asbestos, rotting wood, and other dangerous materials. Then, when everything is assessed, you can move forward with your project with more peace of mind.
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