Demolition Contractors in Auburn, WA

Auburn spreads from an old river valley up onto several hills, and demolition contractors working here see everything from farm-era houses and barns to newer homes in master-planned neighborhoods. Wikipedia notes that the White and Green rivers shaped the city's history, and that Mud Mountain Dam and the Howard A. Hanson Dam ended the recurring floods. In 1906 the White River was diverted into the channel of the Stuck River near today's Game Farm Park.

Valley lots

On the valley floor, older houses, garages and outbuildings sit on soils laid down by the rivers. These lots are flat and usually easy to access, but they can be soft in winter and hold water. We stage equipment on firm ground or mats, rock the construction entrance and keep mud off the street. Older valley properties are also the ones most likely to have a septic tank, a private well or an old heating oil tank, each of which has its own closure steps.

Annexed hills

In 2008 Auburn annexed West Hill and Lea Hill, adding about 15,000 residents and 26 percent more land area. Much of that housing was built under King County rules before annexation, so permit history for additions, shops and sheds can be incomplete. Lakeland Hills, announced in 1979 on 1,500 acres of hillside, is a master-planned community that had 3,600 homes by 2007. Hill lots bring slopes, retaining walls and longer haul routes, which we account for in the estimate.

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Asbestos and notification

Auburn sits in both King and Pierce counties, and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency covers both. Before demolition, an AHERA-certified inspector surveys the structure, a notification is filed for any building with more than 120 square feet of roof area, and demolition waits 10 days. Barns and large shops count, not just houses. Any asbestos found is removed by a certified abatement contractor before our crew starts.

Permits and utilities

The City of Auburn issues demolition permits through its permit center. Before demolition, the side sewer is capped and the water service is cut to the serving utility's standards, and Puget Sound Energy terminates gas and power. Parts of the annexed areas are served by water and sewer districts outside the city, so we confirm the provider for your address. We also call 811 for locates before digging out foundations or slabs.

Cleaning up after the river years

Older Auburn properties sometimes have more than one structure: a main house, a detached garage, a barn or shed, and concrete pads from buildings long gone. We walk the whole lot with you and list every structure and slab, so the price covers everything you want removed and nothing is left for a second trip. Clean concrete and metal go to recyclers when possible.

Auburn services

• House and mobile home removal
• Barns, shops, garages and sheds
• Concrete slabs, driveways and foundations
• Interior demolition
• Pool removal
• Small commercial demolition

Call (425) 598-0539 to set up an estimate.