Michael Juhan
Michael is the veteran owner of Fall Line Reliable in Aiken. He and his family serve Aiken County with demolition, junk removal, dumpster rental, and environmentally conscious services.
Amateurs Won’t Do This First: Safety During a House Demolition
You cannot just start tearing down a structure after renting equipment and do it yourself without knowing where to begin. This home in Wagener had to be fully prepped before we started demolition.
Watch the video on YouTube: During a home demolition- You’re going to have a fire or electrocution if you don’t do this.
Michael explains:
“This is the one thing I have to verify. Sometimes the meter is not attached to the house, but I have to make sure that it’s turned off and then disconnect the power.”
“Amateurs don’t understand that if the meter is still there you’d be responsible for paying for it.”
“You’re going to have big problems if it’s not even turned off.”
The Dangers of Skipping Utility Prep
Failing to turn off a meter can cause fires or electrocution. These are the potential hazards of a demo without preparing:
- Fires
- Not checking with the utility companies
- Electrocution
- Property damage and possible harm to individuals working on the site
- Environmental issues
You can check what to do by visiting the EPA pre-demolition inspections guide.
That is one reason why it is important to hire a professional who is licensed and insured to handle a residential demolition.
Electrical Service Checklist
- Request a full service disconnect at the pole, pad, or transformer, not just a panel shutdown.
- Remove the electric meter and lockout as required.
- Make the conductors safe and verify underground service location.
- Request a temporary pole if needed.
- If you have solar or battery storage, schedule de-energization and removal with a qualified technician and keep documentation.
- Keep your utility disconnect confirmation.
