Demolition Contractors in Lake Forest Park, WA

Lake Forest Park is known for its trees, and demolition contractors working here have to treat them as part of the job. Ole Hanson founded the community in 1912 as one of the Seattle area's first planned communities, and its original prospectus said that "no tree must unwittingly be cut down." That spirit still shapes the city. Lots are often wooded, with houses tucked between large conifers, steep driveways and creek ravines.

Protecting trees during demolition

On a Lake Forest Park teardown, the trees you want to keep are usually more valuable than anything in the house. Before equipment arrives, we mark and fence protected trees at their drip lines, keep machines, trucks and stockpiles out of root zones, and choose equipment sized for the gaps between trunks. Where a tree is coming out, we confirm it is covered by the right city approval first. Demolition and tree removal are often separate approvals in this region, and we will not take a tree without the paperwork.

Creeks and ravines

Wikipedia notes that the two largest streams in the city are Lyon Creek and McAleer Creek, both running down to Lake Washington. Many lots slope toward these creeks or their ravines. A bare site in a fall storm can wash soil straight into a salmon stream, so erosion control goes in on day one: silt fence on the downhill side, a rocked entrance, inlet protection on catch basins and covered stockpiles. We keep it in place until the lot is stable or handed to the builder.

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Asbestos, permits and utilities

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency requires an asbestos survey by an AHERA-certified building inspector before demolition, plus a demolition notification for structures with more than 120 square feet of roof area, followed by a 10-day wait. Lake Forest Park's housing ranges from early houses from the Hanson era to mid-century and 1970s homes, and anything from before the 1980s can contain asbestos. The City of Lake Forest Park issues the demolition permit, and the side sewer and water service are capped under the serving utility's rules before demolition. Some properties in the area are served by districts rather than the city, so we confirm the provider for your address.

A small city with tight access

Lake Forest Park incorporated on June 20, 1961, and had 13,630 residents and 5,565 housing units in 2020. Streets are often narrow and winding, and driveways can be steep. We plan truck sizes and loading spots so neighbors can still get in and out, and we sweep the street at the end of each day.

What we do in Lake Forest Park

• Whole-house demolition with tree protection
• Detached garages, sheds and studios
• Concrete driveway, patio and wall removal
• Interior demolition for remodels
• Hot tub and pool removal

Call (425) 598-0539 to walk your lot with us.