How to Prepare Your Property for Demolition
You've scheduled the demolition. The permits are handled. Now what? A little preparation before the crew arrives makes the whole process go smoother—and can save you money.
Some of this you can do yourself. Some requires coordination with professionals. Here's a practical checklist for Boise property owners preparing for demolition.
Remove All Personal Property
This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often people leave things behind.
Walk through every room and remove anything you want to keep. Check closets, attics, basements, crawl spaces, garages, and outbuildings.
Check less obvious spots: behind water heaters, in ceiling access panels, under deck structures, in tool sheds attached to the main building.
Important documents. People sometimes store papers in strange places. If there's any chance of important documents being in the structure, search thoroughly.
Sentimental items. Old photos, family heirlooms, and other irreplaceable items have been lost to demolition because someone assumed they'd already been removed. Double-check.
Coordinate Utility Disconnections
All utilities must be properly disconnected before demolition. This isn't optional—it's a safety requirement and usually part of the permit process.
Electricity (Idaho Power). Schedule disconnection and meter removal. This needs to happen before demo, and there's often a waiting period.
Natural gas (Intermountain Gas). Gas lines need to be capped at the main by the utility company. Never rely on just turning off a valve—lines must be properly capped.
Water. City of Boise or your water district needs to shut off water at the meter. You'll likely need a permit for this.
Sewer. Sewer connections may need to be capped properly per city requirements.
Other utilities. Cable, phone, and internet lines should be disconnected. Propane tanks need to be removed and lines capped.
Handle Hazardous Materials
If your building dates from before 1985, asbestos testing is typically required before demolition in Idaho.
Asbestos inspection. A certified inspector tests suspected materials. If asbestos is found, it must be removed by licensed abatement contractors before general demolition.
Lead paint. Pre-1978 buildings likely contain lead paint. While it doesn't always require pre-removal like asbestos, your demolition contractor should know about it and handle demo appropriately.
Chemical storage. Remove any paint, solvents, pesticides, oils, or other chemicals stored in the building. These can't go in with regular demolition debris.
Fuel tanks. Underground or above-ground fuel tanks require special handling and often have their own permit requirements. This includes old heating oil tanks.
Notify Neighbors
Demolition is loud and dusty. Good neighbor relations go a long way:
Some Boise neighborhoods require formal notification or HOA approval. Check if this applies to your property.
Prepare the Site
Help ensure the demolition crew can work efficiently:
Clear access paths. Remove vehicles, lawn equipment, and other items that might block access for trucks and equipment.
Mark property lines. If there's any question about property boundaries, especially near adjacent structures, mark them clearly.
Identify what stays. If there are trees, fences, outbuildings, or other features you want to keep, point them out to the crew and consider marking them.
Note underground features. Septic tanks, wells, buried fuel tanks, sprinkler systems, and other underground elements should be identified before heavy equipment starts working.
Call 811. Dial 811 to have underground utilities marked. This is free and required before any excavation work in Idaho.
Consider Salvage Opportunities
Before everything comes down, are there items worth salvaging?
Fixtures. Light fixtures, door hardware, bathroom fixtures, and kitchen elements can have salvage value if in good condition.
Building materials. Old-growth lumber, brick, stone, and vintage flooring can be valuable. Architectural salvage companies sometimes buy these.
Appliances. Working appliances can be sold or donated rather than demolished.
Metals. Copper pipes, wiring, and other metals have scrap value. Your demo contractor may handle this, or you can remove them beforehand.
The Bottom Line
Good preparation makes demolition go faster and safer. Most of these items are straightforward—it just takes time to handle them.
A professional demolition contractor will walk you through what needs to happen and can often help coordinate utilities and permits. But clearing personal property and handling hazardous materials typically need to happen before we arrive.
Questions about preparing your Boise property for demolition? Give us a call. We can discuss your specific situation and make sure everything's ready for a smooth demolition day.
Planning a Demolition?
We help Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Treasure Valley property owners with demolition from start to finish—including preparation guidance. Call for a free estimate.
Call (208) 361-1982