Taking Down Your House

 

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.