Demolition Contractors in Federal Way, WA

Most calls we get for demolition contractors in Federal Way come from owners of houses built during the area's first big growth wave. A section of Interstate 5 opened here in October 1962, replacing US 99 as the main north-south road, and the area quickly became a bedroom community for Seattle workers. The houses, garages and carports from those decades are now 50 to 60 years old, and many are being cleared for new homes or opened up for major remodels.

A young city with an older housing stock

Federal Way did not incorporate until February 28, 1990, long after most of its neighborhoods were built. By the 2020 census it had 101,030 residents and 37,677 housing units. That gap matters on a demolition: records for older additions, sheds and garage conversions are often thin, so we treat every structure as unknown until we have walked it, opened an attic hatch and looked at the foundation.

Asbestos is the first question

Houses from the 1960s and 1970s commonly contain asbestos in sheet vinyl and floor tile, mastic, popcorn ceilings, joint compound and duct insulation. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency requires an AHERA-certified inspector to survey the structure, a demolition notification for anything with more than 120 square feet of roof area, and a 10-day wait after filing before the building comes down. If the survey finds asbestos, a certified abatement crew removes it before our demolition starts. We ask for the survey at the first visit so the 10 days start as early as possible.

Get a Free Estimate

Permits and utilities

Federal Way's permit center issues demolition permits for whole structures. Before demolition we coordinate with the serving water and sewer utility to cap the side sewer and cut the water service, and with Puget Sound Energy for power and gas. Parts of the city are served by different water and sewer districts, so we confirm which one serves your address and what cap-off approval it needs. Call 811 for locates before any excavation for foundations.

Lakes, wetlands and erosion control

The city has several lakes, including Steel Lake and Lake Killarney, and West Hylebos Wetlands Park preserves a stretch of wetland along with the 1883 Barker Cabin, the city's oldest known building. Lots near lakes, wetlands and ravines need careful erosion control: silt fence at the low side, a rocked construction entrance and covered stockpiles. Winter demolition here is very doable, but it takes more preparation to keep mud out of storm drains.

Redevelopment in the city center

Federal Way has rebuilt parts of its core. A downtown lot that once held an AMC cinema became Town Square Park, which opened in early 2014, and the Performing Arts and Event Center opened in August 2017 on a former Toys "R" Us lot. Weyerhaeuser opened its headquarters complex on the east side of I-5 in 1971 and later moved to Seattle. Commercial sites like these involve larger slabs, parking lots and utility runs; we handle small commercial demolition as well as residential.

What we do in Federal Way

• Whole-house teardowns, foundation included
• Detached garages, carports and sheds
• Concrete driveways, patios and retaining walls
• Interior demolition before remodels
• Pool and hot tub removal
• Small commercial structures and tenant spaces

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