Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette. Occasionally, you have to knock down a few walls to get your dream home. Let’s help make this messy task a little less stressful…
You’ve been longing for a bigger room, but that means knocking down a wall or extending your home, which might seem a little daunting. But fear not, take it step by step and neither you nor your home will end up a complete wreck. Plus, we’ve included two real renovations to show you just how different your space can be after a demolition.
Plans and permissions
First things first: is your home listed? If it is, you will need planning permission. If it isn’t, you can move forward and engage help in the form of a surveyor. They can weigh up whether your plans are possible by looking at the load-bearing walls and the location of pipes and wiring. Do this as early on as possible because if the structure of your house won’t allow for the changes, your dreams of an open-plan space or new bathroom could be crushed in an instant.
If your house is attached to another property, it is highly advisable to engage a party wall surveyor. They will inspect both your and your neighbour’s side of the wall and draw up a binding legal agreement should any unforeseen damage occur during the building works. You might also need a Schedule of Condition Survey, to accurately assess the house’s condition, or even an asbestos survey. Consult the relevant person about surveys at the start because each step will take time and may add weeks to your project.
Came in like a demolition ball
Once your plans are drawn up and the various surveys and reports have been carried out, it is finally time for you to get down to the actual task of demolition. Anyone can knock down a non-load-bearing internal wall. But, only seasoned professionals can deal with load-bearing internal walls or external walls because they will need to prop up the building and insert new, carefully calculated, supports.
During demolition, dust and waste are your greatest enemies, so use dust sheets to protect what cannot be moved – and high-grade PPE to protect yourself. The Health and Safety Executive site, hse.gov.uk, will help you understand the necessary safety precautions.
If possible, move out of your home while the work is carried out so that you are not in danger of inhaling too much dust. Also, give your neighbours plenty of warning that you will be undertaking building work. It can be very disruptive, particularly if they work from home.
One man’s waste is another man’s treasure
While there is something immensely satisfying about a wall being knocked down, the mess is colossal. However, there are various ways in which the waste can be dealt with, so don’t assume everything is destined for the skip.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” says Charlie Avara, the managing director of construction company BUILD by Charlie. “What’s waste to you could carry a second-hand or scrap value to someone else. Reclaimed yellow stock bricks, for example, are sought after and can easily be sold privately or to a reclamation specialist. Any metal, such as wiring, plumbing fixtures, and fittings, can be taken to the scrap yard and sold. Even timber can be worth holding on to if you have future construction plans.”
Old kitchens and appliances can be sold through sites like Rehome or The Used Kitchen Company. Look at everything that might end up in a skip after the demolition and consider whether they can be recycled or reused, even in your own project. Talk to your builders, as they might be able to advise you how to re-purpose your waste or direct you to someone else who might be able to use it. Waste removal companies and your local authority will be able to advise you too.
Once you have done the demolishing, you can rebuild and finish your home. Then give yourself a big pat on the back – you’ve smashed it!
Featured image: iStock/ urfinguss
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