Planning
What happens to the driveway and lawn during a house demolition?
- driveway
- teardown
- neighbours
During a house demolition, the driveway is usually the machine's route onto the lot, and the lawn is usually disturbed wherever equipment works or debris is loaded. Most owners replacing a house plan to replace the driveway and landscaping too, so the aim is to protect what is staying and remove what is not.
The town boulevard between your property and the road needs particular care, because it belongs to the town. Here is how each area is handled.
The driveway
Tracked machines and loaded trucks are hard on asphalt and concrete. If the driveway is being replaced, it is often removed at the end of the demolition, once the heavy loading is done. If it is staying, it can be protected with mats or plywood, but some wear is still likely.
The lawn and landscaping
On most teardown lots, expect:
- The front and side yards used for machine access and bins.
- Soil disturbed where the foundation is removed.
- Protected trees kept behind hoarding and their root zones kept clear.
- Final grading and topsoil if the builder is not starting right away.
The boulevard and curb
The strip between the sidewalk or road and your property line is town land. Work there, such as removing a driveway apron or crossing the curb with equipment, may need a permit from the Town of Oakville. Boulevard trees are town trees and are protected separately from private trees.
The street and neighbours
Mud and debris tracked onto the road should be cleaned up daily. Neighbours' driveways should stay clear, and bins should not block the sidewalk. These small things matter on residential streets.
Planning the finish
It helps to decide early whether the lot will be left as bare, graded soil for the builder, or seeded and tidied if the build is delayed. A lot left open for a long time can erode, gather water and become a nuisance for neighbours. If there will be a gap between demolition and construction, a simple grade and a layer of topsoil keep it tidy.
Driveway replacement is also worth planning with the new house in mind. The new driveway may be wider, move to a different side or need a new curb cut, which involves the town. Removing the old one at the right moment saves breaking it out twice.
Finally, walk the lot with your contractor before work starts and agree, in writing, what is staying: a section of fence, a retaining wall, a shed, a garden bed or a tree. What seems obvious to an owner is not always obvious on demolition day.
What it depends on
It depends on the lot's size and access, whether the driveway is being replaced, where the protected trees are and when the builder is starting. A corner lot or wide lot gives more room. A narrow lot with a single driveway gives less.
What we do about it
We agree with you what is staying and protect it before work starts. Our concrete removal crews take out the driveway when it is being replaced, and our site clearing work grades the lot for your builder. Request a free estimate and we will walk the lot with you.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I remove my driveway before or after the demolition?
- After, if it is being replaced. The machines and trucks use it during the work.
- Will my neighbour's lawn be affected?
- It should not be. Work stays on your property unless the neighbour has agreed otherwise.
- Do I need a permit to remove the driveway apron?
- Work on the town boulevard may need a town permit. Confirm with the Town of Oakville before it is removed.
- Will the lot be graded after demolition?
- It can be. Some builders prefer to grade it themselves as part of excavation.