Demolishing a house might seem as simple as swinging a bucket and hauling debris, but there is more planning involved than most homeowners expect. Before we ever roll up with the machines, a few key steps can save you time, money, and stress.
1. Shut Off All Utilities
Before demolition begins, make sure your gas, water, and electric services are fully shut off at the source. Contact your utility providers in advance to schedule disconnection and verify it has been completed before the first scoop of dirt is moved.
2. Septic and Sewer Awareness
If your home is on a septic system, let your contractor know. Septic tanks can collapse if driven over and lines may run farther than expected. If you are connected to city sewer, it is still important to cap off lines to avoid backflow or contamination during the project.
3. What Lies Beneath: Footers and Foundations
One of the most overlooked details in residential demos is what is below the surface. Many homes sit on concrete footers—thick, reinforced blocks that sit under the foundation walls. If your contractor is not expecting them, they might stop short or leave material that must be dealt with later.
The best way to avoid miscommunication is to mention any past knowledge of footers or foundation design. And if you do not know, no problem. Let your contractor know to look out for them so they can plan accordingly.
Want to know why footers matter? Click here to see us explain it in the field.
Planning a teardown?
Contact Excavation Contractors LLC and let us help you demo the right way from the ground up.
