Demolition done selectively
Many residential projects do not call for knocking everything down. Remodels, additions and conversions usually need selective demolition: removing a specific wall, slab section, deck, shed, driveway or interior finish while protecting what stays. Careful demolition saves money because it limits patching and structural surprises.
- Interior demolition for remodels: walls, cabinets, flooring, ceilings and fixtures
- Removal of old slabs, driveways, patios and walkways
- Teardown of sheds, detached garages, carports and decks
- Clearing overgrown lots, stumps, old fencing and debris
Before anything comes down
Older homes can contain materials that need special handling. Asbestos in older flooring, texture and pipe insulation, and lead in older paint, are the usual concerns. In the South Coast region, asbestos in demolition and renovation work is regulated under AQMD Rule 1403, and testing is part of responsible planning for pre-1980s structures. Utilities also matter: gas, water, sewer and electric need to be located and properly shut off or protected. Before digging, a call to 811 identifies public underground lines.
Excavation support and grading
Grading shapes the ground so water goes where you want it and structures sit on stable, appropriate soil. Rough grading establishes the general contours and building pads. Finish grading refines the surface for slabs, landscaping, walkways and drainage.
- Foundation and footing excavation for additions, ADUs and new construction
- Trenching support for utilities and drainage
- Building pad preparation and compaction
- Drainage correction: slopes, swales and surface runoff that sends water away from structures
- Hauling and disposal of spoils and debris
Hillside and foothill properties
Many properties in the foothills of Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena and Altadena involve slopes. Grading on a hillside can trigger engineering, a soils report, and tighter limits on how much earth can be moved. Erosion and runoff control also matter, especially in wet winters. We plan these projects with the engineering and permit requirements in mind rather than discovering them mid-job.
Debris removal and site cleanup
Construction produces a lot of waste. We include debris removal in the scope, so you are not left with piles to deal with. Whenever possible, concrete, metal and clean wood can be sorted for recycling, which many local jurisdictions encourage for construction and demolition projects.
Questions that shape a grading or demolition job
- Is the site flat, sloped or on a hillside?
- Are there trees, retaining walls or neighboring structures close to the work?
- Could the structure contain asbestos or lead?
- Where do water, gas, sewer and electric lines run?
- What will be built after demolition?