How to Prepare Your Property for Shed Removal
Expert tips to prepare your property for efficient shed removal. Ensure a smooth process with our comprehensive guide.
Getting ready for a shed removal service comes down to four jobs. Empty the shed. Clear a path to it. Mark every power or water line. Then confirm the permit rules. The Colorado Springs area has a much faster and easier one step because the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department exempts one story detached accessory up to 200 square feet when it is directly on grade. Most delays come from small things.
A locked gate. A car in the driveway. A forgotten propane tank. Any one of them can stall a crew for an hour. Even a professional shed removal service with trailers and tools needs a property that is ready. This guide for homeowners in and around El Paso County on shed removal preparation. Permit information and utility procedures.
There are also hazard checks and a table comparing the hiring of a crew versus doing the work on your own. In the end, it is age, not size that matters. EPA states that lead based paint was banned for use in homes in 1978 and that about three-quarters of homes built before 1978 have some lead based paint. A shed that is painted to match an older house might also have the same paint. Test first, before scraping and sawing anything.
What Should You Do to Prepare for Shed Removal in the Week Before?
Work with six steps in the week before your appointment. Each step removes one reason for a delay on removal day.
Please check permit requirements with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department or your local building department.
Unplug and turn off the power at the electrical breaker, and remove any electrical appliances from the shed.
If buried lines are located close to the shed, call Colorado 811 before digging, or the workmen will dig.
Empty the shed. Divide into piles to store or give away or trash.
Clear the driveway from the shed. Move vehicles and patio furniture out of the way.
Take photos of the shed from all angles, so you can ask for a price quote.
TipShare those photos before booking. A simple set of pictures can frequently allow a crew to quote the job without making a site visit.
Do You Need a Permit Before Backyard Shed Removal Preparation Goes Any Further?
Generally not for a small shed. One story detached accessory structures 200 SF or less are exempt from permits when on the ground. A standard 10×12 shed is only 120 square feet, and is therefore under that line. Larger sheds and sheds with wiring may need a permit. Call the department before you book anyone. Its territory includes Colorado Springs and Monument and unincorporated El Paso County.
Black Forest sits in that last group. Castle Rock and Larkspur are in Douglas County, and therefore report to separate offices. Directly query those offices. Review your bylaws and rules from the HOA as well. A lot of neighborhoods have regulations on exterior structures, and it's a lot better to send an e-mail now than a violation notice later.
Handle Power and Buried Lines for Shed Removal
Shut off the electricity at the main switch and ask Colorado 811 to locate the main switch. Colorado 811 recommends a free locate call at least 3 full business days prior to any digging that will involve disturbance of the ground. Understand the limitations of that service. Colorado 811 marks public utility lines only.
Private lines such as sprinkler pipes or a buried feed to the shed are the owner's job to locate. The feed must be disconnected by a licensed electrician for a hardwired shed. A shed with an extension cord plugged in from the garage simply needs to be unplugged. Retrace the cord to the outlet and double check.
TipMark all sprinkler heads and drip lines around the shed with a stake. Truck tires and dragged panels snap them fast.
What Comes Out First When Preparing a Shed for Removal?
Chemicals come out first. They cannot leave with ordinary shed debris. El Paso County operates a household hazardous waste collection site at 3255 Akers Drive in Colorado Springs for free. It supports families in El Paso and Teller counties and requires proof of residence. Please refer to the county page for hours before driving out. Typical shed leftovers it takes include:
Paint and stain
Pesticides and rodent poison
Propane cylinders in 1 pound and 20 pound sizes only
Preparing for Shed Demolition: Which Hazards Need Attention First
First, rodent waste and old paint. Next up are wasps, rusty nails and broken glass. The CDC's rodent cleanup instructions advise that doors and windows be opened in a shed for 30 minutes prior to cleaning. Don't sweep or vacuum droppings; it will lift dust into the air. Using gloves, dampen with disinfectant and use paper towels to dry.
Extra care should be given to lots that have trees and/or piles of wood close by. Inspect roof for wasp nests prior to laddering. In the winter, she gets ice on the pad and snow on the roof. Wait for a dry day.
Should You Hire a Shed Removal Service or Tear It Down Yourself?
If the shed removal service is big or on concrete or has wiring, consider hiring a shed removal service. Demolition is only feasible by the individual when the building is small, light and clean.
Hail dents and torn panel edges make older metal sheds a hard job for amateurs. That tips many jobs toward hiring out.
Shed Removal Preparation Change for Wood or Metal Sheds
Wood sheds raise rot and pest questions. Metal sheds raise cut and weight questions. Use a screwdriver to test a wood floor and sill plates prior to entry. The term soft spots refers to the fact that the floor can sink. The metal panels have sharp edges and are like sails in a wind in the Front Range.
Handle resin panels with care during cold snaps as they tend to crack. Look at what sits underneath too. A gravel pad is easy. A concrete slab adds breaking and hauling. Skids and piers leave holes to fill.
Your Shed Removal Checklist for the Day Before
Use this list the evening before the band arrives. Backyard shed removal preparation ends with a quick walk through where every item reads done.
Gate unlocked or code shared
Pets inside the house
Vehicles moved off the driveway
Path cleared from shed to truck
Power off at the breaker
Chemicals gone from the shed
Sprinkler heads flagged
Photos taken from all four sides
Answers to Your Shed Removal Questions
Do I need a permit to remove an old shed?
A detached shed that is not connected to the house and has a maximum of 2 stories, a total of 200 square feet is exempt from building permits in the Pikes Peak region. One is required for any shed larger than a standard shed or for sheds that are wired. Please call the building office to verify before demolition.
How much should it cost to remove a shed?
Price will vary based on size and materials and on type of floor and extent of debris off property. A reputable crew will only put a price on it when they see the shed or when they see pictures of it. Beware of quotes from people you haven't met.
What is the cheapest way to get rid of a shed?
Often the best way to give it away is the cheapest. If a buyer desires to have the shed in one piece, he/she can take it off for free. If not, a careful and careful DIY teardown using your own truck will keep costs to landfill fees and tool wear.
How hard is it to remove a shed?
Two able people will have a small wood shed to use while on their weekends. Preparing for shed demolition can sometimes take longer than the actual demolition. Concrete slabs, rodents and old paint make the job look like a professional job.
How much would it cost to have a shed removed?
There are three factors that dictate the cost of hired removal – shed size, build material and the amount of rubbish. Request a written quote that includes disposal. It's easy to compare 2 or 3 crews using photo estimates.
How can I get rid of an old shed?
You have 4 ways of going. If you must sell or give it away, do so whole. Disassemble it and do it yourself. Rent a dumpster. Get a shed removal service or do it yourself. No matter which option you have to prepare a shed for removal, the first step is to empty the shed.
How much to remove a 10x12 shed?
A 10x12 shed covers 120 square feet which sits under the 200 square foot permit exemption in the Pikes Peak region. Cost still turns on floor type and materials and access. A photo quote gives the quickest answer.
What is included in a $99 junk removal service?
A low one-off cost, typically around $99, is usually applicable to a very limited quantity of goods (e.g. one product). A complete shed requires much more manpower and truck capacity and is therefore priced separately. Ask anytime what the loading and hauling and disposal is included in the price.
Key Takeaways
Prepare for shed removal over a week and not a morning.
Sheds up to 200 square feet on grade are exempt from Pikes Peak permits.
Colorado 811 marks public lines only. Private lines are yours.
Chemicals go to the El Paso County hazardous waste facility first.
Print the shed removal checklist above and tick it off the night before.
Pro TipTreat property preparation for shed removal like moving day. Walk the route from the shed to the driveway carrying something bulky. Anything that snags you will snag a crew.
Get a Crew That Shows Up Ready
Antz Junk Removal is a family owned company based in Monument CO. It has served the area since 2021 and brings over 30 years of combined experience. The team is licensed and insured. It offers free no obligation estimates by visit or by photos and schedules same day appointments. Service areas include Colorado Springs and Monument and Black Forest and Fountain and Castle Rock and Larkspur and Woodland Park.
Contact Antz Junk Removal at 719 922 0428 or email info@antzjunkremoval.com to discuss your shed removal service. You get a straight answer on the job before anyone lifts a tool.