Demolition Contractors in Mercer Island, WA

Mercer Island is an established community where many homeowners hire demolition contractors to clear an older house for a new one. The island's population grew from 1,200 in 1940 to 4,500 in 1950, after the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge opened in 1940, and the City of Mercer Island incorporated on July 5, 1960. Houses from those mid-century decades are now the ones most often being replaced. The 2020 census counted 25,748 residents and 10,570 housing units.

Asbestos proof before the permit

Mercer Island's asbestos policy is clear about order of operations. The city requires proof of compliance with asbestos abatement regulations before it issues a demolition permit. An asbestos survey has to be completed before work begins on all demolitions and posted at the work site, and a Notice of Intent to Perform a Demolition must be filed with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency before demolition starts. If asbestos is found, it must be abated before full demolition. The agency itself requires an AHERA-certified inspector for the survey and a 10-day wait after the notification is filed.

Because the permit depends on that proof, we start the asbestos survey at the very beginning. Mid-century houses frequently have asbestos in vinyl flooring, mastic, duct insulation, textured ceilings and some siding.

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Island terrain

The island covers 12.90 square miles in total, 6.38 of it land, with elevations from 18 feet at the shore to 394 feet near Rotary Park. Many lots slope toward the lake. Wikipedia notes that past seismic activity caused landslides that carried old-growth trees into two sections of Lake Washington, a reminder that the island's hillsides move. On sloped lots we keep retaining walls and basement walls that support the hill in place until the new foundation is built, and we keep sediment out of the lake with silt fence, catch basin protection and covered stockpiles.

Access and hauling

Everything that comes off the island leaves over I-90, and many island streets are narrow and residential. We plan truck sizes, staging areas and haul times so neighbors are not boxed in and the street stays clean. On tight lots we use smaller equipment and more frequent loads rather than parking a large container in the road.

Utilities and permits

The City of Mercer Island issues demolition permits. Before demolition, the side sewer is capped and the water service is disconnected under the city's utility standards, and Puget Sound Energy terminates gas and power. We call 811 for locates before removing foundations and driveways. The city notes that applicants are responsible for meeting all notification and abatement requirements, so we keep copies of the survey and the agency notification on site.

Mercer Island services

• House demolition and foundation removal
• Garage and outbuilding removal
• Driveway, patio and wall break-out
• Interior demolition for remodels
• Pool and hot tub removal

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