Partial demolitions are some of the most delicate jobs we do. Taking down part of a house is easy; taking it down while protecting the part that stays, keeping the homeowners comfortable and leaving a clean, safe opening for the builder takes planning. Here is how we approached a partial house demolition in Danville, in the East Bay.
The project
The homeowners were remodeling and expanding. The plan called for removing one section of the house while the rest of the structure stayed in place for the new construction. Our job was to remove that section cleanly, protect the remaining structure and leave the site ready for the general contractor.
Planning before the first swing
- Permit and coordination with the city and the builder's plans, so we knew exactly where the cut lines were.
- Utilities serving the section to be removed were identified, shut off and capped, without interrupting service to the part of the house that stayed.
- Protection of the remaining structure, landscaping and the driveway used by our equipment.
- Sequencing to remove roof, walls and flooring in the right order so the remaining structure was never put under stress.
Careful demolition
Where the old section met the part that stayed, the crew worked by hand and with small tools to make clean separations. Once the connection was cut, the excavator took down the rest quickly and safely. Debris was sorted and hauled away throughout the job so the site stayed organized.
The result
The project was completed on schedule and within the agreed budget, with the remaining structure intact and a clean site for the builder to start the addition. Watch a short video of the job:
Tips if you are planning a partial demolition
- Bring your architect's or builder's plans to the demolition assessment so the cut lines are clear.
- Ask how the contractor will protect the part of the house that stays, and how they will weather-protect any openings.
- Confirm which utilities stay live and which are capped.
- Plan for an asbestos survey if the house was built before about 1980.
Read our guide to residential demolition for the full process, or see our house demolition service.
