Demolition complete

Demolition is finally complete and site has been completely cleared. It is now handed over to the builder.

Next steps
- Now that house is gone builder does more soil tests and another site survey (house was in the way before)
- Builder finalises foundation design and house level based on the above
- Builder tells us they discovered something alarming with the soil test and have to jack up the price (hopefully not!) 
- Builder submits final design to council for approval and building permit
- Start building

Builder has told us 6-8 weeks for the above but "hopefully less". Let the waiting commence

One thing that seem clear is that we are going to bring in fill at the back. The whole back yard was a bowl that sloped down towards the pool. and now that it has been levelled you can see how low it is

Another day of demolition

And then there wasn't a house

Finally got a call from the demolishers this morning to say they would be on site in an hour, this time with the heavy machinery. Apparently they will be completely finished on Monday

I think the pictures say it all

Demolition Ongoing

The demolishers were back on Friday, and removed all the roof timber and other stuff. The ceilings inside are all gone. Our neighbor said he was amazed at how much timber they managed to remove.

Start of demolition

So finally demolition has started. Demolition is actually a multi-step process, starting with asbestos removal, then various states of salvage, and then finally the dozers move in. There is also the small matter of the concrete swimming pool to be completely removed and filled in. Of course in built up areas great care needs to be taken, and a lot of the work done by hand so an not to cause any damage to surrounding properties. The whole process takes up to a month

Today the asbestos people came in and we were surprised how much they removed. (for anyone wondering, any house built before the 80s has asbestos in it that needs to be removed by licensed contractors)

I was wondering how it would feel to see the house we have lived in for 15 years being demolished - I always felt there would was a risk that it would be quite emotional and sad. But I actually found it quite exiting and am raring to go with the rest of the build