Old Palo Alto teardowns
Demolition Contractor in Old Palo Alto
Between Embarcadero Road and Oregon Expressway, Old Palo Alto has some of the largest and oldest houses in the city. When one comes down, it comes down by hand, around old trees, with a lot of salvage.
Estate Teardowns in Old Palo Alto
Old Palo Alto was mostly built out before World War II, with Tudor, Spanish Revival, colonial and shingle-style houses on wide lots along streets like Tennyson, Seale and Santa Rita. Many have been remodeled several times. When an owner decides the old house cannot be adapted, the replacement is usually a large new home with a basement, and the existing structure has to be cleared completely.
These are not small jobs. The houses tend to be two stories over a basement or crawlspace, with plaster interiors, solid wood trim, multiple chimneys and detached garages or guest cottages. A full teardown here often includes the main house, the outbuildings, an old pool and the hardscape.
Why Deconstruction Pays Off on Old Palo Alto Houses
The city's deconstruction ordinance applies to any full removal, but in Old Palo Alto it also makes practical sense. Pre-war framing is often old-growth redwood or Douglas fir that has dried for close to a century, and reuse buyers want it. Old-growth framing, built-ins, leaded windows, solid core doors, hardwood floors and period light fixtures can all appear on the salvage survey.
The survey is done by a city-approved reuse organization before the permit is filed with Development Services. Our crew then removes those items carefully, before any equipment arrives. The rest of the building is separated by material for recycling, with weights reported to the city at the end.
Historic Review, Chimneys and Asbestos on Pre-War Houses
A house this old may be on, or eligible for, Palo Alto's historic inventory. The city can require a historic evaluation before it approves a full removal, and a designated house may not be removable at all. We look at the parcel's status first so you do not spend months on a plan the city will not accept.
Pre-war houses also bring asbestos in places like old boiler and pipe insulation, floor tile, roofing and plaster. The asbestos survey comes before anything else, and abatement by a certified contractor is finished before our crew begins. BAAQMD gets its demolition notice before the first wall is opened. Brick chimneys are taken down by hand from the top so bricks do not fall onto roofs or trees.
Protecting Oaks and Redwoods on Old Palo Alto Lots
Big lots in Old Palo Alto come with big trees: valley oaks, coast live oaks and redwoods that are protected by the city. Tree protection fencing often blocks the obvious route for trucks and excavators. We plan staging, load-out and foundation removal around the arborist's report, and hand dig near roots when basement walls come out.
Basement removal is common here. Thick concrete walls are broken out and the hole is backfilled and compacted, or left open if the new house will reuse the excavation. That decision is made with your engineer and builder before demolition starts.
Teardown and Remodel Demo Work in Old Palo Alto
Whole-Estate Deconstruction
Main house, guest cottage, garage and pool house are taken apart in sequence, with salvage removed first and every remaining material stream kept separate for recycling and city reporting.
Basement and Foundation Removal
Concrete basement walls, slabs and footings are broken out and either backfilled with compacted soil or left open for the new excavation, as your engineer directs.
Interior Gut for Whole-House Remodels
When the house stays, we strip plaster, trim and old systems to the frame with dust control suited to an occupied neighborhood of large homes.
Pool, Hardscape and Garden Wall Removal
Old pools, brick terraces, garden walls and driveways come out with the house or separately, with concrete and brick sent for recycling.
Demolition services in Old Palo Alto
Demolition Services in Old Palo Alto
Demolition FAQs
Old Palo Alto Demolition FAQ
Can a pre-war house in Old Palo Alto be torn down?
Often, but not always. The city may require a historic evaluation, and houses on the historic inventory may face restrictions. If removal is allowed, it must follow the deconstruction ordinance. We check the parcel first.
How much salvage does an Old Palo Alto house usually have?
More than most. Old-growth framing, wood floors, doors, windows and built-ins are common. The salvage survey sets what must be recovered.
Which office permits demolition in Old Palo Alto?
Palo Alto Development Services. The salvage survey is part of the application.
How do you protect large oaks during a teardown?
The arborist's report sets the rules. Machines stay outside the fenced root areas, and when basement walls or footings come out near a trunk, the crew switches to hand tools and air spades as the arborist directs.
Demolition quote
Plan an Old Palo Alto Teardown With Us
Describe the house, outbuildings and your rebuild timing in the quote form. Someone on our team calls or emails within a day.
- Permits
- Demolition
- Haul-off