There are
many reasons that people tear their houses (and other properties) down. One is
having a very damaged house after a fire, perhaps. The cost of having it
remodeled may not be a practical financial sense.
Maybe you
have just bought a piece of property that is abandoned and you want to start
afresh. Regardless of the reason, a house demolition Dandenong North is not as simple as
breaking down walls; it can be a complex undertaking that requires some careful
planning.
Demolition
Demolishing
a house has two approaches: deconstruction and mechanical demolition.
Deconstruction is taking the house apart by hand.
Mechanical
demolition uses heavy machinery to raze the building. The debris is taken away
or hauled by dumpsters or trucks.
Sometimes,
demolition contractors will use a combination of the two methods and remove
items that are still usable or can be repurposed copper pipes, lumber and
working light fixtures, etc.)
Before
demolition
Before
taking down the house, you need to go by some steps( and help you save time and
money (and troubles) later.
Unless you
own the property outright, you’ll need to notify your lender of your intent to
demolish your house. Failing to get permission from your lender for the
demolition can result in your lender demanding immediate payment in full on
your mortgage.
Things to
do
Get a few
licensed demolition contractors to have an idea of how much the work will cost.
Get quotes at least from three contractors.
If you
consider the amount of time it will take, the cost of equipment, permits and
other factors, you may find that hiring a demolition contractor wouldn’t cost
that much more than doing it yourself.
Permits
In urban,
suburban and some rural areas, you’ll need to get a permit from the local
building department or housing authority before you tear down a house.
If authorities
find out you’re doing the work without a permit, the process will be halted.
You may even have to pay some hefty fines.
If you’re
using a demolition contractor, find out if they will obtain these permits for
you as part of the project cost. They usually have connections at local
building departments that can expedite the process.
Utility companies
/ hazardous materials
Gas, water
and electricity must be properly disconnected and terminated at the source
before the demolition process. In some areas, the fire department may need to
perform an inspection to ensure utilities are properly disconnected.
Asbestos,
lead paint and other hazardous materials used in older constructions must be
handled and disposed of properly. It’s best to have professionals remove it for
safety. Proper mold removal is also a must to avoid becoming ill or injured.
Taking
down the house
How a
house is torn down often depends on the condition of the property, materials
used in its construction, local building regulations, whether you plan to
rebuild and some other factors specific to the situation.
Although
deconstruction is more environmentally friendly, it takes much longer than
other methods and can cost significantly more.
If you
don’t have the time or inclination to deal with the painstaking process of
deconstructing or demolishing your home, hiring a reputable demolition
contractor is the way to go.
