Demolition & Site Clearing

When something old has to come down before something new goes up, Valley Brook Services handles the demolition. We take down structures, haul the debris with our own trucks, and leave the site clear and ready for new construction. Because we are a full-package excavation company, the same crews can carry on into site prep, grading, utilities and the foundation.

Taking Down Structures to Prepare a Site

Demolition is usually the first step on a property that already has something on it: an old house, a garage, a barn or another outbuilding standing where a new building, driveway or lot is planned. We take the structure down, load out the debris and clear the footprint so the next phase can start. The images on this page are illustrative and show the kind of work involved.

Debris Hauling With Our Own Trucks

Demolition produces a lot of material, and getting it off the site is half the job. We run our own tri-axle dump trucks, so debris can be loaded and hauled by the same company doing the demolition instead of waiting on a separate hauler. See our trucking and hauling page for more on our fleet.

Utilities Come First

Before anything is demolished, the utilities serving the building have to be shut off and disconnected by the utility companies, and buried lines have to be located. Call 811 before any digging starts. If the building has a septic tank, well or old buried lines, tell us up front, because they have to be dealt with properly when the structure comes down.

Permits and Hazardous Materials

Most municipalities require a demolition permit, and older buildings can contain materials such as asbestos that have to be identified and handled before demolition starts. Requirements vary by township and county, so check with your municipality early. Hazardous material removal is a separate specialty from demolition, and if your building needs it, that has to be completed first. Ask us if you are not sure what to expect, and we will point you to the right questions.

From Demolition to a Ready Building Site

Taking a structure down is rarely the end of the project. After demolition we can fill and grade the lot, handle land clearing and site preparation, install underground utilities and dig the foundation for what comes next. Keeping all of it with one company means fewer hand-offs and a simpler schedule.

Weather and Site Conditions

We work year-round, as long as the weather lets us. Wet dirt cannot be moved well, and frozen ground has limits, so rain and winter can affect how a demolition and the cleanup afterward are scheduled. We will tell you plainly what conditions mean for your project.

What to Tell Us

• The address and the county it is in
• What is being demolished: a house, garage, barn or other structure, and roughly how large
• What is planned for the site afterward
• Whether utilities are already disconnected and whether there is a septic tank, well or buried line
• Any permits, surveys or plans you already have, and your target timeline

If you do not have all of that yet, send what you know through the contact form.

Where We Work

Valley Brook Services provides demolition across the 14 counties we serve in Western Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio, from our base in Wampum, PA. Find your area below, or see our full service area page.

• Lawrence County, PA
• Beaver County, PA
• Butler County, PA: Cranberry Township, Zelienople
• Mercer County, PA
• Allegheny County, PA: Wexford
• Armstrong County, PA
• Venango County, PA
• Clarion County, PA
• Crawford County, PA
• Washington County, PA
• Westmoreland County, PA
• Trumbull County, OH
• Mahoning County, OH: Boardman, Poland
• Columbiana County, OH

Frequently Asked Questions