House demolition and site preparation can throw up a lot of problems and safety issues, so leave it to the experts
Before work can begin on a knockdown-rebuild project, the old house needs to be removed and the site prepared. It’s a process that can unearth unexpected problems and raise safety issues, so it needs to be left in the hands of a professional demolition company.
“You want a trusted company with many years of experience and you want a transparent process from beginning to end,” says Zac Gabrael of Gabrael House Demolition Sydney. “You need a company that has experience dealing with paperwork and local councils, and has the required licences — a Class 2 Demolition Licence and an ‘Unrestricted’ Asbestos Removal Licence — which we have.
“Also look for a company that prioritizes keeping a site as clean and tidy as possible and has a focus on recycling. Of course, safe work practices are paramount. We put the same level of care and attention to detail into ensuring safety as you would expect your builder to put into building your new home.
“All our team members have undergone specialist training and work to the highest level of safety standards. We practice only the safest methods of demolition, rigorously following state and industry health and safety regulations as well as our own OHS procedures. All jobs are tackled with our simple philosophy of safety first, and although house demolition is by nature a risky business, we pride ourselves on our excellent safety record.”
Established in 1995, Gabrael House Demolition Sydney is one of the fastest growing demolition companies in Sydney and is dedicated to achieving one very important objective: providing customers with the best possible service at a competitive price. “We specialise in house demolition, but our projects can range from something as minor as removing a shed, garage or carport to a major undertaking such as removing the entire house,” says Zac. “We offer a comprehensive range of demolition services and are equipped to completely clear a site and prime the plot of land for new development. We also specialise in asbestos removal, site remediation and site preparation.
“Most clients ask for a complete demolition service. This means the site is levelled, compacted and ready to hand over to the builder. This includes clearance and completion certificates as well as asbestos receipts. During a typical demolition, we might remove, in addition to the old house, concrete slabs, fencing, brick work and footpaths.”
As with any construction-related work, the unexpected can occur which will add to the cost and time taken — and if the old house has asbestos, that will add to the cost, too. “Asbestos can be a problem and is found in many homes, so asbestos removal and remediation work is something we do a lot of,” says Zac. “Gabrael Demolition takes all safety and legally required precautions to ensure all asbestos is removed and deposited properly.”
So what about the timing? “It differs when people choose to have their demolition complete. Some do it as little as a week before construction of a new home begins, others have the old house demolished quite a while before construction is due to start on the new home,” says Zac. “The timing is up to the client and can be based on a number of factors but as an experienced demolition company, we are able to work with both clients and builders to suit the timeline of when works are scheduled to begin.”
It makes sense to get two or three quotes, advises Zac, but it definitely isn’t a matter of automatically opting for the lowest. “It can be confusing for clients but it’s essential they go for the quote from the company that puts safety, procedure and client satisfaction first,” he says. “When formulating a quote, we look at how large the site is, how many trees and shrubs there are, whether there is a garage, deck or shed, and if there is fencing that has to come down too. We also have to factor in the disconnection of services, site accessibility, whether any of the materials are recyclable and whether the site has asbestos.
“Clients must also look at the quality of work provided by the demolisher, ensure that all certificates are provided and all regulations are being adhered to, especially when it revolves around the disposal of asbestos. And they should make sure the quote they choose includes all the demolition work they expect to be carried out.
“Since we set up business in 1995 we have amassed a great deal of experience in all aspects of site preparation, from the preparation of building sites to the clearing of new subdivisions and industrial bulk earthworks. We’re one of the most reputable site preparation companies in Sydney and this is because we have a team of experts who carefully manage each job from start to finish, ensuring the entire project runs smoothly and in a timely fashion. We understand better than anyone how stressful a site preparation project can be, so why not leave all the hard work to us?”
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