residential demolition

[36tbird]

Hi all,

I'll admit this is sort of a strange request for info but this forum seemed the best resource to me. There is lots of assorted and knowledgeable talent on here. So, here goes.

I'm looking at possibly buying an older home here in central Texas where it may be more economical to demolish it and build new. I am asking for tips and things I should consider in searching out a demolition contractor. I would imagine that I should get competitive bids, but the lowest bidder sometimes ain't the best way to go. If there are any pitfalls I should be aware of, please let me know based on the experience base that I suspect is here. Thanks.

 

[jlckmj]

Around here it is mandatory that the contractors are lead paint and asbestos abatement certified. If they are not, and someone drops a dime, your project could be on hold for a long time. And that would be the lessor, the fines are what would be the issue for me.

Jim

 

[brownbagg]

make sure they have workman comp and all their labor are legal

 

[ADSR]

Call the fire department and ask them if they want a training day.

Light it up.

 

[jhelrey]

Rent a skid loader and go to town. Obv. have the power disconnected at the pole and gas shut off at the meter, etc.

Get a dumpster for the junk and a trailer for all of the metals, wiring, etc.

 

[uniballer]

Call the fire department and ask them if they want a training day.

Light it up.

Done this before, fun, educational, and lots of FIRE!

 

[36tbird]

Well, I appreciate the fire dept. suggestion but given the 2 year drought and the cedar trees with their creosote let me think about that a minute. Aaahhh, NO!

I would like the excuse to play with a skid loader or back hoe, though.

Great suggestion about the lead. Definitely will have to check on that.

 

[occupant]

Call the fire department and ask them if they want a training day.

Light it up.

This was the plan with our old house until we got an offer from the guy we bought it from, he wanted it back to tear the house down (the same way, volunteer fire department and rent a skid steer and a dumpster to clean up) and build a nice big shop.

I bet he's on here somewhere, Jason?

 

[sselander]

Let the pros at it.
We had to have some asbestos take care of, but that was handled professionally.
Our house came down pretty fast.
It was awesome to watch it come down.
This was demolished in a few hours

 

[36tbird]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. sselander, the place I'm looking at is not as big as the one pictured and I'm hoping the central Texas prices might be less than CT costs. But, could you tell me what that demolition and clean up cost?

 

[pmiranda]

Subscribed to find out what you learn...
I also live in C. TX and might do something like this a few years down the road.

 

[AZ Pete]

When I was in college (late 1960's), my Dad and I tore down an abandoned house, salvaging the lumber, and built him a 24x36 shop with attic storage. It was well worth the effort.

 

[blindbug]

Depending on how old the place is and its location, buy a metal detector (or rent one) and scour the area before demo. It's a fun hobby, and you might end up with something nice. I've been detecting around my 1/3 acre lot, in which the house was built in 1947, nothing substantial, but found a small hoard (handful) of wheat pennies under a tree. I've seen where people pull up tractor parts, gold coins, WWII gold caches, Civil War relics (belt buckles / buttons). Texas is a pretty historic part of the country, could be worth a shot?

 

[G_P]

If someone hasn't already beat you to it go in and strip out all the copper plumbing and wiring. Worth quite a bit these days. And if you don't take it some thief is going to break in and take it anyways.

 

[sselander]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. sselander, the place I'm looking at is not as big as the one pictured and I'm hoping the central Texas prices might be less than CT costs. But, could you tell me what that demolition and clean up cost?

That was many years ago. It would take some effort to dig up the paperwork for it. All of the plumbing and wiring etc. was still in the house when it came down.

 

[36tbird]

Not to worry, I was just trying to get a rough idea to aid in the bidding for this house.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Check also with your local salvage / materials recycling program. Some groups want to pull the doors, cabinets, and fixtures as they just aren't made that way anymore and have real resale value.

I'd be tempted to pull the cabinets to use in your new large garage you'll of course be building as well... right?

 

[Detroit cc]

I did the same last summer.
Leave it to the pros.
Make sure they will take all non-organic matter from the site.
Building permission would not be granted until my site was totally clear.
Also, they knew what could be recycled and would strip that from the house first.

The clean way to demolish, is to fold the house in on itself, into the basement void.
Then crunch the material into small pieces.
This makes loading the dumpster more compact and more efficient due to less dumpsters required.

Maybe the contractor will let you have a go on the machines.
Mine allowed me to have first bite of the house.
They'll have it down and gone quicker than you could.

 

[36tbird]

Thanks again, all, for the great suggestions. If this comes to pass, I'll try to remember to post a follow up.