Building Demolition Project Plan: 4 Questions to Consider

Deciding when to start your next big demolition project can be a difficult task. All the various components, including determining and obtaining the right permits, demo team, and clean up procedures is no easy task, even for the pros.

While there is no doubt that demolition is serious business, it does not have to be an impossible task for you to complete alone. With that in mind, we have compiled the following questions to help you determine whether now is the right time to get started on your next big tear down, or if it may be better to hold off until you’re properly prepared. Read on for expert insight into planning for demolition and your next big project.

What is the Scale of Your Project?

Both big and small demolition jobs require careful, unique planning to ensure the project’s success.

Large-scale projects such as commercial buildings and other similar structures, require a high degree of precision. Our team recently worked on a project that involved the demolition of a fragile 5-story building while preserving the adjacent homes and utility buildings. Through careful planning and expert techniques, we were able to complete the job quickly and safely.

The circumstances found in this project are reminiscent of many large-scale projects. These larger buildings can become dangerous very quickly if not handled properly, making the need for highly controlled demolition paramount. When starting on your project, determine what kind of plan you need. Will mechanical demolition be the best way forward, or is an implosion technique required? Determining the type of demolition you require, based on the project scale, will help you create a more realistic timeline.

If you have a deadline to meet, work with an experienced contractor to help you determine the best route forward for a safe, legally compliant, and speedy demolition process.

What Legal Requirements Must be Met?

Whether your project is big or small, always check with your local housing or demolition department to ensure you have the right permits to proceed. It is important to have these permits in place to avoid project-stopping infractions once ground has already been broken.

From working with local authorities to performing surveys, a demolition expert will be able to help you determine if and when you should start your next project, based on the legal issues which must be addressed first.

Do You Plan to Stop Normal Usage of the Building?

Many projects involve only partial demolition of a structure or an interior. If this is true of your project, be sure to determine whether or not you intend to continue using some sections of the building as work is being done. Why is this important?

If you continue using certain portions of the building, your demolition team will need to know and create an effective plan for working around these requirements. This can mean more time is needed before beginning your project to ensure the demolition disturbs current operations as little as possible.

If a plan has already been made to transition operations out of the structure, or work is put on a temporary pause, your team may be ready to begin the demolition process right away!

Do You Know of Any Hazardous Materials Within?

Despite all the careful planning that goes into the pre-demolition process, unexpected issues can and usually will pop up as work begins. Hazardous materials are one such common occurrence.

Asbestos and lead are two of the most common hazardous building materials demolition experts have to contend with. While removing these materials can sometimes be done alongside standard demolition processes, they just as frequently require additional planning or resources, and may extend your timeline significantly.

If you know of or suspect the presence of these materials, let your chosen demolition provider know as soon as possible. While we always seek to begin your project as quickly as possible, be prepared to delay the start of your project depending on the scope of the hazardous material within.

Get Started with Alpine Demolition Services

There are few demolition contractors more suited to help you navigate your demolition project through the difficulties of the modern world than Alpine Demolition Services. Serving the Chicagoland area since 2002, we are well suited for any type of demolition project, ranging from small interior renovations to large multi-story structures. As you have just learned, it’s a great time to get started on your next demolition project.

Contact our team today or fill out our bid request form to do so. We look forward to working with you.