There are many actionable reasons you may be considering a demolition project. Whether it be for safety concerns, an infestation, or you’d rather start rebuilding from the ground up, the team at Mikula Contracting, Inc. are full service demolition contractors that can work with you throughout the entire process, from the prep work and physical demolition to the cleanup and debris removal.
Demolition is an involved process and there are many steps to take before you can call your demolition project complete. As you get deeper into the planning of your demolition project, there are 8 very important things you should know.
1. You’re Not Going to Be Able to Do It Yourself
The first thing to understand about your house demolition is that it is NOT a project for DIYers. You may have seen some Youtube videos that show how easy it is to demolish a house, but we strongly dissuade anyone from actually trying this process on their own.
Demolishing a building or home can be dangerous. There’s a lot of heavy equipment and machinery in action, and there are so many steps that could potentially go wrong if it’s not being performed by highly trained professionals. If you’re thinking about tackling a demolition project on your own, we recommend you reconsider.
2. You’ll Need to Get Permits and Inspections
When planning a demolition, you will need to speak with your local ordinances to ensure everything is being done properly. You’ll need inspections performed, and you’ll need to obtain permits before any demolition work is actually started.
If you choose Mikula Contracting Inc. and your demolition experts, we will handle your permits and inspections for you, leaving one less thing for you to have to worry about as we get nearer to your demolition date.
3. You’ll Want to Check for Asbestos in Advance
Nothing can halt a demolition project faster than the discovery of asbestos. The demolition of any home or building with RACM (Regulated Asbestos Containing Material) is completely prohibited. Because of this, everyone planning a demolition project should make sure to get in contact with professionals who can check for asbestos, and remove it if it’s found.
This is another great perk of choosing to work with the professionals at Mikula Contracting, Inc. We work closely with environmental service providers who we’ll gladly get you in contact with so they can perform a sweep for asbestos.
4. Your Neighbors Probably Won’t Love It
As we previously noted, the demolition process is an involved one. Not only is it a long process, but it’s an especially loud and raucous one. Because of this, it’s likely that your neighbors won’t be too thrilled with you throughout the duration of the project.
While your neighbors’ disproval is certainly not a reason to ditch your demolition plans, you might want to consider giving them some fair warning, so that they’re not suddenly awakened one morning by the loud equipment and heavy machinery.
If you’re looking to be extra considerate to your neighbors, consider delivering a bottle of wine or a small token of gratitude when informing them of the quickly approaching demolition project. They’ll appreciate the advanced notice and the gesture of good faith. If you’re trying to be the best neighbor possible, definitely do this prior to your demolition date.
5. Ensure All Utilities Have Been Turned Off
The disconnection of all utilities throughout the house is another essential step that must be taken prior to the beginning of a demolition project. If your gas, water, electric, or sewer lines are still connected when the demolition begins, people can become severely injured.
The team at Mikula will always run a clean sweep of your property prior to starting demolition to ensure all lines are properly disconnected. If we notice that one is still actively on, we can have one of our service providers come and turn them all off, so the project can begin.
6. Don’t Plan on Being in the Building Throughout the Demolition Process
This may seem obvious to some readers, but if you’re planning on tearing down a house, you need to have alternate sleeping and lodging plans. Some people incorrectly assume that they’ll be able to sleep in their home right up until the wrecking ball is swung, but this truly is not a great plan.
Everything is going to quickly become dusty and messy. People will be walking through, running tests and preparing your home. It would not only be unsafe, but unwise of you to remain in your house. Whether you’re planning on staying with a relative, at a hotel, or using this as the perfect excuse to take a last minute vacation, we strongly recommend that you don’t plan on living within the house as the demolition date looms nearer.
7. Create a Contingency Plan in Advance
Almost all successful demolition projects have had clearly defined contingency plans. A contingency plan is a course of action to follow to ensure the mitigation of risks. These risks can include bad weather, lack of supply, natural disasters, and/or unforeseen circumstances slowing down the completion of your demolition project.
Since there are so many potential variables during a demolition, constructing and reviewing a contingency plan with your full service contractors would be a great way to ensure that your project runs as smoothly as possible.
8. Have a Clearly Defined Plan
It’s so important that you, as the homeowner, know not only exactly what you want, but are also completely filled in and aware of the plans. Do you want a full home demolition or a partial demolition? You’ll want to know exactly which demolition method is being employed, what equipment will be used, when it will be happening, how long the jobs should take, how many laborers are expected to be on your property, and how much you’re expected to pay.
Of course, clear communication is the key to any successful contracting project, whether it be demotion related or not. With over 70 years of experience, Mikula Contracting, Inc. understands just how important constant communication between contractors and clients is. We will work with you through every step of the process to not only ensure that everyone is on the same page, but to also address any unexpected issues that may arise.
Choose Mikula Contracting, Inc. as Your Demolition Contractors
If you’re planning a demolition project, what’s stopping you from reaching out to the team of experts at Mikula Contracting, Inc.? We can provide top tier customer service, and the quality of our work cannot be beaten. If you’d like a free estimate as to your demolition costs, click here or feel free to give the team at Mikula Contracting, Inc. a call today!
