The full timeline at a glance
| Phase | Duration | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Site walk + estimate | 2 to 5 days | We see the site, write a fixed-price scope |
| 2. Asbestos survey + lab | 1 to 2 weeks | NYS-licensed inspector, bulk samples, written report |
| 3. Permit + utility coordination | 3 to 5 weeks | Town demo permit, National Grid gas, electric, water, sewer |
| 4. Asbestos abatement | 2 to 5 days | If ACM is present, removed under containment |
| 5. Structural demolition | 1 to 2 days | Excavator brings the house down |
| 6. Foundation removal + backfill | 2 to 4 days | Basement walls, slab, fill, compact |
| 7. Final grade + site cleanup | 1 day | Rough grade, sweep, walk-off |
Net: from signed contract to clean lot is typically 6 to 9 weeks. Active equipment time on your property is 5 to 10 working days.
Day by day, once we mobilize
Day 1: Setup
- Silt fence and tree protection installed (NYSDEC SWPPP compliance)
- Construction entrance laid with stone
- Excavator and trucks staged
- Final walk with you to confirm anything you want salvaged is pulled
Days 2 to 4: Asbestos abatement (if applicable)
- Plastic containment built around abatement areas
- HEPA negative-air machines running
- ACM bagged, sealed, manifested
- Independent air clearance before structural work starts
Days 5 to 6: Structural teardown
- Hydraulic excavator with thumb drops the structure section by section
- Debris sorted at ground level: metals separated, wood and drywall hauled to C&D facility
- Water truck on site for dust suppression
- Most single-family homes are flat by end of day 2 of teardown
Days 7 to 10: Foundation, basement, backfill
- Concrete foundation walls broken out and hauled
- Basement slab removed
- Old basement is NOT pushed in. It is fully excavated, hauled, and replaced with engineered structural fill
- Lifts compacted with vibratory roller
- Lateral utilities (water, sewer, gas) capped and inspected
Day 11: Final grade and walk-off
- Topsoil placed and rough-graded to match surrounding contour
- Driveway apron removed or kept per your preference
- Construction entrance pulled, silt fence removed
- Final walk with you
What we do that most demo contractors don't
- Full basement removal, not push-in. The old foundation is dug out and hauled, not buried in the hole. This is the difference between a buildable lot and a lot with a hidden pit no one will lend on.
- Engineered backfill. Structural fill in lifts with compaction. If you ever want to rebuild, the soil is ready.
- Self-performed abatement. No second contractor, no second schedule.
- SWPPP compliance. Stormwater protection from day one. NYSDEC will not surprise you.
- Documented disposal. Every load manifested. You get the file.
Weather and seasonality
We work year-round. CNY winter slows abatement (containment needs heat) and grade work (frozen ground), but structural teardown is fine in any weather. October through April we recommend pushing the final grade to spring.