Things to Keep in Mind When Demolishing Your Home

Posted on: 31 December 2018

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When you move in your new home, the last thing you would consider is having to demolish it. However, some scenarios would necessitate demolition ranging from pest infestations, home renovations or unfortunate calamities such as fire. Since demolition is quite a sensitive project, it is always best to leave it to the professionals. Nevertheless, before you sign off on the project, there are some things that you should clear beforehand with your contractors. Here are a few of the considerations to have when engaging in residential demolition.

The degree of the demolition project

One thing to note with residential demolition is that it does not automatically translate into the complete structural destruction of your home. It is only in cases where the damage is irrevocable where the contractors will choose to flatten the entire residence. Thus, it is important to consult with the contractors about the degree of demolition that will be carried out. In some cases, you may find that selective demolition at various parts of the structure would be sufficient. In other cases, you may find that simple deconstruction of the affected areas would suffice.

Municipal permits required

A wrong assumption some people have is that as long as they own their property, they can go ahead and make drastic changes such as demolishing the structure as they choose. The reality is that there are a number of laws that will govern various construction projects. For example, if your residence is of a certain age, it may be considered to be a historical site and demolition may not be permitted. On the other hand, based on the location of the premises, some forms of demolition may be prohibited to ensure the safety of nearby structures. Therefore, before negating in any demolition, it would be crucial to ensure the appropriate municipal permits have been acquired either by you or the contractors.

Elimination of hazardous waste

When it comes to partial or full demolition, some homeowners may overlook the presence of hazardous substances in their home. The reality is that there is an assortment of toxic substances that the contractors may come across during the demolition process such as asbestos, lead and mould. The presence of these hazardous compounds is especially common in much older homes. Thus, when considering residential demolition, it is recommended to seek a company that would be able to provide you with environmental remediation services too.