Demolition Contractors in Des Moines, WA

Des Moines, Washington, is a waterfront city, and demolition contractors here plan most jobs around one feature: the slope. Wikipedia notes that most of the city slopes toward Puget Sound from an elevation of about 400 feet. Houses near the water often sit on steep lots with views, retaining walls and long driveways, while those up the hill have flatter yards. The city incorporated on June 17, 1959, and counted 32,888 residents and 13,222 housing units in 2020.

Slope-first planning

On a sloped lot, the order in which things come down matters. Basement walls, rockeries and retaining walls can be holding the hill in place. We identify those elements on the walkthrough, ask whether the owner has a geotechnical report or a builder's plan, and leave supporting walls until the new foundation is ready. We also figure out where trucks can load: sometimes from the street above, sometimes from a lower road, sometimes by moving debris uphill in smaller loads.

Rain and runoff

Water moves downhill fast on a bare demolition site. In Des Moines that means toward the Sound or into the ravines that cut through the city. Erosion control goes in before demolition: silt fence across the low side, a rocked construction entrance, inlet protection on nearby catch basins and plastic over any stockpile. We keep it maintained until the site is stable or handed to the builder.

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Asbestos and notification

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency requires an AHERA-certified inspector to survey the building for asbestos, then a demolition notification for anything with more than 120 square feet of roof area, then a 10-day wait. Many Des Moines houses date from the 1950s through the 1970s, an era when asbestos was common in flooring, ceilings and duct wrap. Abatement, if needed, is done by a certified crew before we start.

Permits and utilities

The City of Des Moines issues the demolition permit. Water and sewer in the area are provided by districts as well as the city, so we confirm which district serves your lot and what cap-off permit or inspection it requires. Power and gas are terminated by the utilities, and we call 811 for locates before taking out foundations or driveways.

A marina town

The city's 838-berth small boat marina opened on May 10, 1970, and the area's recorded history goes back to May 26, 1792, when George Vancouver's expedition explored it. Near the marina and the older downtown, we see small commercial buildings, older houses and garages that owners are replacing. We handle both residential and small commercial demolition.

Des Moines services

• House demolition on sloped and flat lots
• Garage, shed and carport removal
• Concrete driveways, patios and walls
• Interior demolition
• Pool removal

Call (425) 598-0539 to set up a visit.