Certain building upgrades and property clearance require the expertise of a commercial demolition contractor. Maybe a building is too unstable to stand, or you want to clear the land for future development. You may want to remove part of a space before renovation. Before doing so, there are some aspects of demolition to consider. Here is a look at what goes into the average demo project.

Survey the Area

Before the demolition crew arrives, they must know what they're dealing with. Your structural engineers will conduct a review of the area and determine if any toxic substances are on hand, such as asbestos or lead pipes. After all, if they were to demolish a building filled with asbestos or mold, it would unleash toxins into the environment. An internal demolition would need to be carefully completed before they bring down larger aspects of the structure. They also have to plan for the proper termination of such toxic materials to respect the environment and people nearby.

Plan for Waste Removal

A typical construction project involves a lot of waste removal such as concrete and dirt. Well, imagine how much has to be removed after a demolition. According to the Environmental Magazine, as much as 155 pounds of waste per square foot is created in a typical demolition.

Therefore, your commercial demolition contractor has to plan accordingly to systematically remove any waste. They need enough equipment, ranging from bulldozers to cranes with wrecking balls to trucks, that can systematically remove the demolished remains quickly. Then once the material is removed, the next step in the site development process can begin.

Acquire Permits

As the owner of the commercial property, you need a permit to demolish the building on your land. Certain laws and environmental regulations must be considered. That's why your local authorities require permits before you can legally carry out this project.

You must also consider the area the building is in. If you're in a residential area or close to one, it requires even stricter regulations. After all, a great amount of noise, dust, and debris is produced whenever a building is demolished.

Have Frequent Communication

Many people should keep in contact during this project. Your commercial demolition contractor should frequently meet with stakeholders such as the building or landowner, engineers, architects, and other contractors. They may also need to meet with local agencies and inspectors. From setting the demolition schedule to understanding how many workers will be needed, everyone must do their part to communicate the right information and agree upon the final process.

Calculate Overhead

Tearing down part or an entire building costs money. After all, you have to pay for the cost of labor. That includes the demolition crew and equipment used. Permits will also cost a good chunk of money. You have to pay for proper waste disposal, which may be even more expensive if toxic materials are found in the building. According to Hometown Demolition Contractors, a commercial demolition costs about $24,000 on average, and that number can be even greater depending on the size of the commercial space.

Handle Utilities

Before a building goes down, contractors must handle utilities. Those utility services include electricity and gas lines, as well as water and sewer lines. Failure to shut off these services properly could create a disaster during a demolition. In most cases, stakeholders will contact the utility companies, who will come and shut things down.

Hire Crew

Don’t forget you need a solid crew to handle a demolition from beginning to end. The first person to hire is a commercial demolition contractor. This person understands just how many people and how much equipment is required according to the project size and related services like grading and land clearing.

Demolition is serious work that requires many steps. Failure to follow these steps could result in environmental contamination, injuries, wasted funds, and project delays. That’s why you need a solid professional to handle these projects, such as a commercial demolition contractor. Look no further than Eglentowicz Demolition & Environmental Company, which has worked on projects like partial demolition and soil remediation. To learn about our services and how we can help your demolition project, contact us for a consultation.