Planning a Demolition Project? Have You Thought It All through?

So, you like a project? You've been living in an older home, but have big aspirations. You want to convert several rooms and bring it up to date, both in terms of its amenities and its "livability." Part of this project is going to entail some demolition work, but it's not quite as straightforward as you might think. What do you need to bear in mind before you start?

Don't Be a Hero

While the thought may have never crossed your mind, it's never a good idea to try and do this all yourself. Yes, you can pick up a lot of information about it online, but nothing is as helpful as direct experience when you get going. You just need to translate your vision so that the crew understands it and keep in touch with them during the process.

Loving the Neighbours

Even though you may think that all of the demolition will be "contained" inside, there's going to be a lot of activity and a fair amount of noise. This is why it's a good idea to chat about this with your neighbours before you start. In this way you will have them on your side.

Getting the Paperwork Right

Remember that you will need a variety of different permits, so make sure that you plan for these well in advance. In addition to the standard permission from the local government, you may need additional permission to put the skip in the adjacent roadway as well.

Don't Forget about Asbestos

Have you thought about asbestos, especially as it's an older home? Your demolition plan will have to be arranged around this, if it's in place. Otherwise, get the experts in to remove it completely. Professional demolition workers will not go ahead until this is done.

Getting Out Of the Way

It's never a good idea to try and remain in your home when the demolition is going on in another part of it. Even though you think you can segregate and put up some dust sheets, there's going to be an element of disruption and a layer of dust in spite of your best efforts. Also, you can expect there to be some additional work once the project has begun and other "surprises" have been uncovered. It's best for you to schedule some time away, even if it's at a local hotel.

Doing It Right

Finally, don't do this half-heartedly. While it may not be absolutely necessary to strip everything down to the studs, it's a good idea to do so. In this way, you can uncover the work of any crazy do-it-yourselfer while you're at it. It's better to catch some shoddy electrical work now, while you're in the process of major renovation.