Demolition Contractors in Lakewood, CA

Lakewood was built at a record pace, and demolition contractors in Lakewood are now taking apart the houses from that famous rush. Construction began in late 1949, and by 1953 empty fields had become 17,500 houses. At the peak a new house was finished every 7.5 minutes, with a record 110 in a single day. On the first sales day, March 24, 1950, an estimated 30,000 people lined up to tour seven model homes. Lakewood incorporated in 1954 and had 82,496 residents in 2020.

Mass-produced houses come apart predictably

Because so many Lakewood homes were built from the same plans in the same few years, they share construction details. That helps us price work accurately. Most are single-story wood frame houses with stucco exteriors, and many have been expanded with rear additions, patio covers or converted garages over 70 years. When we take one apart, we look for where the original house ends and the additions begin, since additions often have different foundations and framing.

What Lakewood owners ask for

• Garage removal to build an ADU in the backyard
• Interior demolition to open up the original small rooms
• Full teardowns for a new, larger home
• Patio, driveway and pool removal with compacted backfill

Each part can be quoted on its own, so you only pay for the scope you choose.

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The original buyers

Veterans bought many of the first Lakewood houses with no down payment, a 30-year mortgage and 4 percent interest. When owners of these houses rebuild today, they often want to save something: a mature tree, a block wall, a patio. We mark those items before work starts and protect them through demolition.

Contract city services

Lakewood was the first city in the nation to contract for all of its municipal services, mainly from Los Angeles County, an approach known as the Lakewood Plan that many other cities copied. For a demolition, the practical point is to confirm with the city which office handles building permits and inspections for your address, since permit and debris rules follow the agency doing the review.

Before demolition

South Coast AQMD requires an asbestos survey by a certified consultant and a notification 10 working days before any demolition. Houses from the early 1950s commonly contain asbestos in acoustic ceilings, floor tile and duct wrap, so the survey usually sets the schedule. Utilities are disconnected, the sewer capped and the site fenced. Call (213) 377-6198 to book an estimate.