Your home is ready for an upgrade, so you’re envisioning the start of tearing out the stuff you didn’t want. From breaking up concrete to removing entire walls, plenty of projects are out there to complete in the DIY spectrum.
When completing a home demo yourself, it’s essential to equip yourself with the correct resources and remain organized. It only takes one mistake to create catastrophic results that could hurt your finances – or yourself.
Here are some demo tips from today’s best demolition contractors in Toronto to review before you take that sledgehammer to something.
Top Demo Tips to Review for a Successful Project
It doesn’t take long for a demo project to generate dust and waste. When you know how to work efficiently and manage the debris you’ll create, the work will proceed more smoothly.
1. Have a Plan
When starting a home demo project, the process shouldn’t be spontaneous. If you go in blind, you can miss a lot of the work that needs to get finished. It’s also possible to create more work for yourself by knocking something down that must stay up.
Those issues create time-consuming solutions to implement. When you have a plan before starting, you’ll minimize the cleanup and the amount of unintentional damage created.
This plan should include a project timeline. The home demo might become a permanent part of your daily routine if you work without deadlines.
2. Get Your Permits
Toronto requires building permits before starting an exterior or interior home demo project. Most cities and other jurisdictions have similar rules to follow.
Most officials want to know the plans for the home, if blueprint changes are necessary, and when to shut off the utilities. Depending on the project, it might be required to notify your neighbours of the work.
The local building department can run through the specific regulations that apply to your property.
Renting a bin that stays on the street might require an extra permit.
If you hire demolition contractors in Toronto (or your area) to do the demo work, they’ll likely handle the permitting process.
3. Prepare Your Space
Home demo projects get messy fast. It might be fun to get your hands dirty, but the enjoyment fades away when you spend more time cleaning up than renovating.
Here are some of the ways you can keep the mess from spreading.
- Dust barriers that stretch from the floor to the ceiling can keep materials in a centralized location. Seal off hallways and cover doors, creating a “room” within your room.
- Cover the air ducts to prevent dust from circulating throughout the house.
- Try to direct floating debris to go outside by pointing fans out the window.
- Cardboard can be used as a protective layer for floors, counters, and more.
- Cover windows with plastic sheeting to protect blinds.
Ordering a dumpster will make waste removal easier to manage. If you don’t have much space, consider asking about empty and return services.
4. Remove the Items You Want to Keep
When upgrading a specific space, there could be some appliances or materials that you want to keep. These items should be removed first before starting the rest of the demo.
You’ll need to store these items in a place where they won’t be in the way. Before removing any appliances, ensure they are not connected to gas lines or hardwired to the home.
If you plan to dispose of appliances, consider donating them if they still function. It’ll keep your costs a little lower while helping someone in need -that’s a win-win situation.
After everything you plan to keep is safely removed, it’s time to start the demo work.
5. Be Safe When Working
When your home demo project is greenlighted, ensure the gas, water, and electricity are shut off. Always assume wires are live until you discover otherwise.
You’ll want personal protective equipment to reduce injury risks. Those items include working gloves, protective shoes, goggles, hearing protection, and a dust mask or respirator.
When to Hire a Pro for Your Home Demo
Whenever something is outside your skillset, you should hire a pro to complete the work for you. Although video lessons on YouTube and how-to guides offer helpful advice, there needs to be a knowledge framework present to ensure you and the house stay safe.
If you’re in the middle of a home demo or thinking about starting one, give our demolition company a call! We can get the answers you need while providing a fair, competitive rate for the work you want to be done.
