The Basics of Demolition

Unfortunately, the perfect location for your home isn’t always vacant land.  Many times, an aging structure resides atop a picturesque or otherwise valuable property.  Savvy purchasers may negotiate a slightly lower price for the parcel because of the unusable building or home, but then it’s up to the buyer to figure out how to remove it.  That’s where a professional excavation company like Excavation Oregon can help.

Types of Demolition

1. Total Demolition.  Total demolition involves the removal of a complete structure.  In these cases, the building is often unsuitable for the new needs of the property, or the structure is so far beyond repair that it’s financially unfeasible to retain any of it.
2. Selective Demolition.  Sometimes part of a building may be useful and can be renovated as part of a new build.  This often happens with buildings of architectural value.  In some cases, retaining part of the original structure may make obtaining permits to construct new segments of the design easier to obtain.  Regardless of the reason, it’s essential to choose an excavation company that can determine the best ways to demolish the sections for disposal while keeping the segments for retention unharmed.
3. Interior Demolition.  Just as it sounds, this type of demolition involves retaining all exterior sections of the structure while gutting out the inside of the building.  This is very common where the exterior must be kept as is because it adjoins neighboring structures or when there is no financial or marketing advantage to constructing a new building from the ground up.  When possible, interior demolition is often the most cost-effective solution.
4. Deconstruction.  Deconstruction is used in partnership with any of the types listed above.  The difference with deconstruction is that materials and sections of the building are preserved to be reused in the new construction.  Deconstruction is a great way to reuse quality building materials, from old-growth lumber to historic moldings, doorways, windows, and fixtures.  Materials not used for construction can be sold to offset building expenses.

The Demolition Process

Once you select a professional excavation company to manage your project, here’s what you can expect from the demolition process.

1. 

   Permits.  Just as construction requires permits, so does “unbuilding.”  You or your excavation manager must obtain the necessary permits for demolition from your local authorities.  Likely, this will involve site inspections before and after the work is performed.

2. Site Survey.  Demolition can be hazardous work.  Some structures are filled with dangerous materials such as lead paint, lead pipes, asbestos, or even explosives.  A team should conduct a thorough review of the entire structure and plan to include all the safety gear and protocol required for safe demolition and removal.
3. Clear out.  The best way to conduct a demolition is with an empty structure.  That means that furniture, fixtures, appliances, and other non-structure items should be removed from the building.  You may be able to contact a community organization to pick up useable or sellable items as donations for their resale operations.
4. Demolition.  This is the exciting part of the process!  Landowners can watch the unwanted structure be torn down and removed from the worksite.
5. Debris Removal.  Your professional excavation company should sort materials when possible and dispose of them most efficiently and sustainably.  For example, some materials like steel can often be sold to manufacturers who melt it down and reuse it.  Bricks and masonry are sometimes crushed to be used for future construction projects.  Your excavation company should attempt to minimize dumping excess debris into a landfill wherever possible.

Contact the pros at Excavation Oregon.

Turning a piece of property into the environment you desire is hard work.  Make it easier on yourself by hiring the professionals at Excavation Oregon.  Partnering with a proven excavation company will help you through all the stages, from clearing an access road to building an in-ground pool.   Our team at Excavation Oregon will assess your site and develop a plan for creating all your needs.  Contact us today for more information and a free quote.