The Process of Demolishing a House

When a house or other construction is going to be built on an existing house, the contractor’s solution for that is to demolish the existing structure. We call them house demolition. It’s not a super complicated project to understand. The principle is; if you want to build you have to destroy first. In this article, we will tell the process of demolition companies in Houston TX when it comes to demolishing a house.  

1. Determine the Demolition Method 

The first step in demolishing the house is determining the best method for demolishing the structure. There are 3 basic types that you should know: the mechanical, the deconstruction and the deconstruction + demolition. The first one is the mechanical demolition. This is the most common method which needs the assistance of hydraulic excavators to tear down the house. The debris will be hauled by a dumpster or trailer.  

The deconstruction is done by hand which means that you’re going to manually strip the house piece by piece. The goal of this method is to salvage as many materials as possible for the reusing purposes. If you do this method, you’re going to save at least 70% of the materials. The combination of demolition and deconstruction is the most recommended. First, the house is deconstructed to save some materials, and then demolished.  

2. Find a Contractor 

You can’t do the demolition on your own, even with some help. You still need the help of a contractor to fully take down the house. If you’re going to hire one, make sure the contractor is insured and licensed. Once you decided for the best demolition method, the contractor will do the job for you. The contractor will also discuss with you once he sees the site. During the interview or on-site visit, both of you should agree whose responsibility it is to work the permits.  

3. Professional Home Inspection  

Before you proceed with the project, make sure that you are able to have the demolition contractor inspect the house. You can ask him what are the requirements needed for the job to take over. Most states will require you to have the building or house inspected by a professional before the demolition. It’s needed so you will be made aware about the presence of lead paint, asbestos, rotted wood, mold and other dangerous materials. If there’s any, a proper remediation procedure is needed.  

4. Getting the Permits 

Before the demolition starts, you will need to run some permits. Check your City Hall. The permits will also depend on the state and local laws and regulations. The demolition company should also be well-informed about this.  

5. Disconnect Existing Wires 

Before the actual demolition jobs begin, you have to disconnect the wires first. The services and utilities you should disconnect are water, electricity, sewage and gas. Make sure you ask specialists like electricians and plumbers about this. Your neighbors might lose their services if you do this on your own without the proper knowledge on how to do it.