Why Would You Tear Down A Perfectly Good House | Understanding Residential Demolition

25 July 2023

Residential demolition is the process of tearing down part or all of a building. While some people may be confused about tearing down what appears to be a perfectly good house, there are several reasons why it may be necessary. Here's a closer look at residential demolition and what you need to know about it.

Who Needs Residential Demolition?

Residential demolition is relevant for property owners looking to demolish part or all of a building. Many reasons could explain why homeowners would opt for residential demolition, including:

• Making way for a new construction project
• Dealing with structural problems
• Fixing safety concerns
• Renovating an outdated property
• Updating code violations

Whatever the reason, residential demolition can be a cost-effective and practical solution for addressing various housing concerns. Demolishing old structures can help pave the way for new construction, upgraded buildings, and modern architectural designs. The cost savings of residential demolition over complete renovation can be significant, so homeowners often opt to demolish old structures and build from scratch.

What Are Some Key Things to Consider About Residential Demolition?

There are several key things homeowners should think about before tearing down a home or part of it, including:

• Professionals. Hire a professional residential demolition contractor with the appropriate licensing, insurance, and experience to undertake the project.
• Permitting. Another key factor to consider is the permit process. Demolition typically entails gathering the required permits and approvals from multiple local authorities, including building permits, zoning permits, and other statutory approvals that may be requested within a specific locality.
• Neighbors. Additionally, you need to communicate with your neighbors on the intended project, particularly if it involves tearing down a shared wall or a property line. In some municipalities, you may need to get your neighbors to approve of the project as well.

What Are the Benefits of Residential Demolition?

There are many benefits of residential demolition, including:

• Reduces energy costs
• Reduces maintenance costs
• Increases property values
• Provides a clean slate to rebuild
• Eliminates concerns with structural issues
• Addresses safety concerns

Another significant benefit of residential demolition is the opportunity to recycle and re-purpose materials from the demolition. For example, exterior corbels could be re-purposed into a new fireplace mantel design, while scrap metal from copper gutters could be recycled at a scrap yard for cash.

Residential demolition is a service that every homeowner should know about if they're looking to renovate or rebuild their property. 

Contact a professional to learn more about residential demolition.