For many years, I had no idea what a damage contractor even was. However, all that changed when a pan of hot oil caught fire in my kitchen and set fire to my house. Half of the property was completely destroyed by the fire but thankfully, my family made it out OK. Once the fire service had finished doing what they needed to do, I called in a team of damage contractors who helped to clean up the property and to demolish the parts which could not be saved. I have since rebuilt the house on the same plot of land.
Have you been told that your home is unsafe? Perhaps your property has been a victim of storm damage and you have discovered that the cost of replacing the roof or rebuilding the walls is too costly to be viable. Perhaps the property was not damaged in a storm but has a foundation problem that has made it unstable. Maybe nearby building work has damaged your foundation to such an extent that it can't be repaired. Alternatively, perhaps you have recently purchased land with an existing property, and you want to demolish the existing structure before you can build something new?
Planning a demolition
Whatever your reasons for needing to demolish a property, you must understand that you cannot simply demolish the property yourself. Property demolition is skilled work and requires the right equipment and appropriate knowledge to ensure that the demolition takes place as expected. Here are three things to check so that your demolition is completed safely and effectively.
Have you chosen the right kind of demolition? - If you have a foundation problem that causes the building to pull apart, then a full demolition could be the best option; however, a partial demolition is worth considering. If you can save part of your existing building and incorporate it into your new structure, then not only might it be cheaper, but you could avoid problems with the planning authorities since the building is 'preexisting'. Talk to your demolition contractor to see what is possible in your situation.
Is it a standard demolition? - Your chosen demolition contractor will need to visit your site to make a proper assessment. They can determine whether a standard demolition will be possible or whether they must schedule an implosion instead. If there are neighbouring properties that could be affected by debris from your site, then an implosion, where the building collapses in on itself, could be the safest, most effective way of proceeding.
Have you notified the authorities? - Demolishing a building requires you to notify the local authorities. They will want sufficient time to take any relevant action, including closing any roads or paths that could be dangerous to use while the demolition work is ongoing. If you have any concerns or questions about what is involved in a property demolition, speak to your contractor. They will have carried out many similar demolition jobs and will understand what they need to do to ensure the appropriate regulations are correctly followed.
To learn more, contact a demolition contractor.
Share18 March 2021
