Mechanical or Manual
Before any demolishing can begin, you will need to decide what you are actually doing. Are you starting from the ground up? Are you just demolishing a room or two? This will determine the equipment you will need. Mechanical demolition is using heavy machinery to bring the whole house down. Manual demolition involves tearing out the rooms or walls yourself by hand. Be prepared for mountains of trash you’ll need to deal with if you go this route.
Finding a Contractor
Unless you are an experienced demolitionist yourself, you will probably want to hire a contractor just to be safe. It is important that you look around for the right one before deciding right away and always make sure that you get estimate numbers in writing for your records.
House Inspections
If you are demolishing or renovating part of an older home, it will almost certainly need to be inspected for possible hazards. Before any demolition can take place, the home will need to be inspected for mold, rotting wood, lead paint, and asbestos as these can lead to problematic environmental and safety issues. Your contractor may include this in their cost, or they may subcontract this inspection elsewhere.
Ensure Maximum Safety
Demolition can be a messy procedure. Before any single piece is demolished, make sure that as many services are switched off as you can. This includes things like electricity, gas, water, and sewage services. These services can pose serious safety risks if not properly turned off. Remember that requesting these services to be turned off can take a while; give yourself a few weeks in advance to request that they be shut off so your contractor can be prepared as soon as they arrive.
These are just a few of the important considerations to make when demolishing a house, but they are all equally important. Demolition is a big decision and can be overwhelming if you have never done it before. Work closely with your contractor, and everything will turn out perfectly.
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