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Professional Home Demolition Services in Portland, Oregon
You know that feeling when you drive past an old house that’s seen better days and wonder what it would take to start fresh? I think about that a lot in this line of work. Last month, I was standing in front of a 1950s bungalow over in the Lents neighborhood, and the homeowner told me something I hear pretty often. She said, “I just want this chapter over with so I can move forward.” That’s really what home demolition in Portland comes down to for most people. It’s not just about tearing down walls and hauling away debris. It’s about clearing space for whatever comes next, whether that’s a brand new build, a bigger home for your growing family, or finally developing that property you’ve been holding onto.
I’ve been doing this work around Portland for longer than I care to admit, and here’s what I’ve learned. People don’t call a demolition contractor because everything’s going great. Maybe the foundation is shot and repair costs don’t make sense anymore. Sometimes it’s a fire damaged structure that’s beyond saving. Or you bought a lot in Sellwood or Mt Tabor and the existing house just doesn’t fit your vision. Whatever brings you here, I get it. Demo work feels overwhelming when you’re standing at the beginning of it.
That’s where we come in. Metro Junk Solutions has been handling residential teardowns throughout the Portland metro area for three decades now. We’re not some fly by night crew. We’re your neighbors, and we’ve probably worked on a property within a few blocks of where you live.
What Our Home Demolition Service Includes
When we take on a residential demolition project in Portland, we’re handling everything from start to finish. That means pulling permits (yes, Portland requires them, and yes, we know exactly which ones), disconnecting utilities safely, and making sure your neighbors aren’t dealing with dust clouds or debris in their yards. We bring in our own equipment, and our crew shows up when we say we will. Sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many companies in this business operate differently.
The actual teardown process depends on your specific property. A single story ranch in Beaverton comes down faster than a two story craftsman in Ladd’s Addition. We assess the structure, identify any hazardous materials like asbestos or lead paint (older Portland homes often have both), and create a demolition plan that makes sense. Some projects need a full mechanical teardown with excavators. Others require more selective work, especially when you’re keeping certain foundation elements or working in tight urban lots where there’s maybe six feet between houses.
Navigating Portland's Permit Requirements
Let’s talk about permits for a second because this trips people up. Portland’s Bureau of Development Services wants documentation before any demo work starts. We’ve done this enough times that we can walk you through what’s needed, how long approval typically takes (usually two to three weeks if everything’s in order), and what inspections happen along the way. Some neighborhoods have additional historic preservation rules. We know which areas require extra review and how to handle those situations without your project getting stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
Complete Site Cleanup
Once the structure is down, we’re not just leaving you with a pile of rubble and a “good luck with that” wave. Our team grades the lot, removes all debris, and hauls everything to the appropriate facilities. Concrete gets recycled. Wood waste goes where it’s supposed to go. We follow Metro’s waste disposal guidelines because frankly, it’s the right thing to do and it keeps our operating permits in good standing. You end up with a clean, level lot ready for whatever your plans are next.
Why Portland Homeowners Trust Metro Junk Solutions
Three Decades of Local Experience
We’ve been family owned and operated since 1995. That’s not a marketing line, it’s just the truth. My family started this business when I was barely out of high school, working weekends and summers before it became my full time career. We’ve watched Portland change a lot over these thirty years. Neighborhoods we worked in back then have completely transformed. But what hasn’t changed is how we approach each project. We treat your property the way we’d want someone treating ours.
Transparent Pricing You Can Actually Understand
Nobody likes surprise costs halfway through a project. Our quotes break down exactly what you’re paying for. Labor, equipment, disposal fees, permits… it’s all there in plain language. We’ve found that being upfront about pricing from day one builds trust faster than anything else. Sure, sometimes we run into unexpected issues once demo starts (that’s construction for you), but we talk through those situations before making any changes to the scope or cost.
We're Your Neighbors
This might sound corny, but it matters. We live here, our kids go to school here, and we run into clients at New Seasons or grabbing coffee on Hawthorne. That keeps us accountable in ways a national chain never will be. When you call us, you’re getting people who genuinely care about doing right by Portland homeowners.
Ready to Move Forward with Your Demo Project?
Let's Talk About Your Property
Look, I know this isn’t an easy decision. Tearing down a structure is a big deal, whether it’s clearing space for your dream home or finally dealing with a property that’s become more liability than asset. But putting it off doesn’t make it easier. It just gives you more time to worry about it.
Getting Your Free Estimate
Here’s what happens next if you want to work with us. Give Metro Junk Solutions a call at (503) 521-6019 and we’ll schedule a time to come look at your property. No pressure, no obligation. We’ll walk the site with you, answer your questions, and give you a straightforward quote that actually makes sense. Most of the time we can get you an estimate within 24 hours of seeing the property.
Service Areas We Cover
We serve the entire Portland metro area, from downtown out to Gresham, down to Lake Oswego, and up through North Portland neighborhoods. If you’re within our service area, we can help.
Learn More Online
Want to learn more about our demolition services before calling? Check out everything we offer at metrojunksolutions.com. You’ll find photos of past projects, more details about our process, and testimonials from other Portland homeowners who’ve worked with us.
The hardest part is making the call. After that, we handle the rest.