Commercial Demolition FAQs: What You Should Know
Taking on a commercial demolition project is a huge undertaking and must be carefully planned and executed. Researching to find the right demolition company is vital to ensure that the project gets done safely and efficiently. You may have several construction questions regarding commercial demolition. And it’s important to take in as much knowledge as you can before hiring a contractor.
Commercial Demolition Basics
Finding out as much information as possible before hiring a commercial demolition contractor is essential because you want to ask the right questions to find out how experienced the team is. We can start with the basics. Here are some answers to your commercial demolition questions:
What does demolition mean?
Demolition is the process of dismantling a structure, clearing the site, and recycling and salvaging the materials left over. There can be interior demolition, which is pulling out carpets and removing walls for interior reconstruction. And there can be partial demolitions if only part of the building needs to be removed.
What is a commercial demolition?
Commercial demolition consists of taking down commercial buildings such as hotels, hospitals, and malls and clearing the land to build a new structure. Demolition contractors are highly skilled, and the equipment required for a demolition project are loaders, cranes, wrecking balls, and for specialized projects - explosives.
What does the demolition process involve?
The demolition process is detailed. A contractor should freely discuss their approach to commercial demolition. Every step is considered vital to the safety of the workers and the environment.
- Check for any desired materials inside. Clear out the building.
- Check for safety risks, like asbestos or toxic chemicals.
- Decide on the demolition method that best suits the commercial building, including deconstruction or demolition, and if the use of explosives is needed.
- Ensure the safety of all people involved, including the workers and people working in close-by buildings. Seal off the building once it has been identified as condemned.
- Demolish the structure.
- Clear the land by recycling and salvaging all materials possible, including insulation, concrete, metals, flooring, ceiling tiles, roofing materials, plasterboard, and wiring.
Each company will have its own procedures when it comes to the demolition process. Ask the company for their step by step process and take a look to see if safety and asbestos abatement measures are included in their general demolition plans. Take it as a red flag if you cannot get a clear answer on the safety topics.
How are demolition and deconstruction different?
A deconstruction involves going through the building and removing any salvageable material piece-by-piece to recycle the materials. Deconstruction happens from the inside out. Demolition uses heavy machinery to take down the structure, but the rubble doesn’t all go in the trash. A recent survey by the National Demolition Association in 2018 found that 90% of demolition materials are also reused.
Should I use a commercial demolition service?
A commercial demolition service will have all of the certifications and training needed to remove the structure safely. Commercial demolition is a highly monitored business, with constant safety measures being enforced and evaluated with each company that offers this service. Hiring a commercial demolition service will guarantee that the construction team has the correct equipment and safety training to correctly perform a demolition.
How do I find a good commercial demolition contractor?
Experience is critical when choosing a commercial demolition contractor. You can ask what buildings they have been involved in removing. You can speak to other commercial real estate experts who have worked with the demolition contractor. Search for reviews on the company. Always do your due diligence in researching a contractor for hire, especially when it comes to such sensitive safety measures.
The most important aspect of a commercial demolition project is finding the right team. When you have a team you trust who will strictly adhere to safety measures and stick to the timeline, you can be sure that the risk will be minimal. A commercial demolition contractor should be skilled and have experience in the safety measures associated with a commercial demolition project.
Cost-Related Commercial Demolition FAQs
While a demolition cost can vary, it’s essential to be aware of the price range for a commercial demolition project of your size. A commercial building can be large or small, so we can go through some frequent questions on estimating your project's cost.
What can you expect to pay for an average commercial demolition cost?
The average cost of commercial demolition is $4-$8 for each square foot. The costs are higher on the East and West coasts compared to the South and Midwest. As the size of the building increases, the price per square foot goes down. The costs can vary largely depending on the project and the timeline, and how much is expected to be salvaged.
How to estimate the cost of a commercial demolition project?
There are a few factors when estimating the cost of a commercial demolition project. And, of course, the cost can vary from state to state. You will want to consider 3 things before determining a ballpark cost for your demolition project:
- Square Footage of Structure: Calculate the cost for your structure by multiplying the square footage by the going rate of the contractor. The range should be around $4-$8 per square foot. And keep in mind that if it is a particularly large building, the price per square foot can go down as the square footage increases.
- If Asbestos Are Present: The removal of asbestos to ensure safe air quality during demolition can significantly increase the price. Learn if your building has the harmful substance in it before getting quotes for your commercial demolition project.
- Permit Cost: Before any major construction project, there must be permits acquired before starting the project. And those permits cost money. Also, allow for the time to receive the permit in the timeline.
Remember, these factors are all for rough estimates. The contracting team will need to visit the property and look at the logistics and details that demolition would require for your specific structure to give an accurate cost projection.
Do I have to pay for demolition contractor liability insurance, or does the service provider have insurance?
When hiring a demolition contractor, it is common for the client to require that the company has commercial general liability insurance. The company should be well-equipped with proper insurance to cover the cost if an accident were to occur. This cost is bundled into the quote the contractor provides for the commercial demolition project.
These simple answers will help you know where to start on cost quotes from various commercial demolition contractors. The contractors will be able to tell instantly that you’ve done your research, and you’ll get right down to business by achieving a fair quote.
Commercial Demolition Project FAQs
A lot of the questions covered have been general or surrounding the cost of demolition. It’s also essential to know some specifics of each project. Many people are curious about what the environmental implications are of a commercial demolition. And once the demolition is over, what do you do with all of that junk? Here are some common questions about the detailed process of commercial demolition:
What does a commercial site demolition project involve?
Careful planning from the start is vital in a commercial demolition project. For the safety of the workers involved and surrounding buildings with employees, the building is marked condemned and publicly announced. The building is searched for any valuable property and checked for asbestos. It is then sealed off to ensure that no one enters the building on the days leading up to the demolition.
Expert demolition contractors follow strict safety guidelines to break down the structure of the building. Having ample experience is vital when it comes to using a wrecking ball and explosives around a team of demolition employees.
Once the building is flattened, the process of salvaging all of the goods for recycling is started. The majority of the materials are recycled and reused. The land is cleared and made ready for the next construction project. It is also the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the soil is healthy and void of toxic substances once the demolition is over.
What happens to materials during demolition?
When the building falls, the materials are sifted through and salvaged. Cement, wood, plyboard, flooring, etc., are distributed to various recycling sites. The sorting and transportation of this process take a team of experienced workers, and the rubble gradually diminishes until there is nothing left.
How is debris removed?
When a structure is demolished around commercial properties, the debris must be removed. A contractor will have trucks and a team to sort and remove the debris and transport it to the correct facilities. Most of the debris from a commercial demolition is recycled. This part of the project can take days as the land is slowly cleared and leveled.
Does commercial demolition hurt the environment?
Each contracting company that works on a demolition project should have environmental stewardship over the company and have the welfare of the environment a top priority. Ask each company you are interviewing to explain how they practice environmental stewardship in their demolition projects. This should include minimizing dust during the deconstruction period, checking and removing asbestos before leveling the building, and recycling any materials that qualify for reuse.
Will I need permits or inspections before beginning a demolition project?
Yes, permits from the city are needed before any significant construction project. Some cities have stricter demolition rules than others, with a number of cities fighting against demolition and charging more for the permits. The city can promote remodeling and reuse of a building, and therefore, charge more for demolition permits.
You can budget to pay anywhere from $200 up to $10,000 for a permit, depending on the building's size. Be sure that the cost of permits is included in your commercial demolition project’s quote. While the permit is required, you do not want to be surprised by any hidden fees that show up later in the project.
Do we need to check for asbestos before demolition?
Asbestos is a harmful substance found in old buildings, specifically buildings built before the 1980s. It was used in insulation and fireproofing spray. And extended asbestos exposure can cause health problems. If you fail to check and remove asbestos before a demolition project, then it can release the harmful substance into the air and cause health problems to all who inhale that air.
It is vital to check for asbestos before demolition. Many times, a building is deemed necessary to be removed because it is unsafe to stay standing. Asbestos can contribute to a building being categorized as condemned. Asbestos abatement, or the safe removal of asbestos, should be administered to each building in which asbestos is found before the demolition happens. This can cost an extra $2-$3 per square foot.
For these details regarding your commercial demolition project, a skilled contractor should be able to answer all of these questions confidently. You want to hire someone who knows about environmental stewardship and the risk related to asbestos. If you are interviewing a contractor and they are flustered about any of these questions, look elsewhere.
Commercial Demolition Specialists in NJ
A professional and skilled team of contractors can be hard to find. For high-risk projects, such as commercial demolition, you do not want to pick the wrong team. Mikula Contracting has built a name in the industry for being responsible, timely, and safe. The highly-qualified contractors are licensed to handle commercial demolition, and you can be confident in knowing that your job is in good hands with our contracting team.
If you are looking for demolition contractors in New Jersey, look no further than Mikula Contracting. Our experts are ready to help you with your next demolition project. Whether you have a commercial demolition need or a swimming pool that you need removing, we can get the job done right. Give us a call today for your first consultation.
Telltale Signs of Foundation Issues in Your Building
If you see any signs of foundation issues, your building has structural problems that can’t wait. Here’s what to look for, and how to decide between repairs or demolition.
There’s a list of things that can compromise a building’s foundation and make it a hazard to those in and around it. The structure doesn’t have to be old — even newer builds can experience these problems. Sometimes these issues can be cleared up with repairs and maintenance. Other times, a demolition team may have to be called in.
Knowing what to watch out for can alert you to whether you have a salvageable structural issue on your hands or if the wrecking ball is required. Let’s start with the signs you’re most likely to miss and work toward the more obvious ones.
Easily missed foundation issues
Windows and doors can show subtle signs that your foundation is struggling. If you’re having difficulty opening and closing these fixtures, but they used to be fine, this could be a warning sign that your foundation has started to shift and is distorting the shape of the frames.
Lubricating the hinges should reveal if the window or door itself is at fault. If stubbornness permits, it could indicate a larger problem. A more obvious sign is if there are visible gaps between your door/window frames and the surrounding walls. You may also see these gaps behind things like worktops.
Don’t dismiss any musty odors and smells that can indicate damp, mold, and rot. It’s a mistake to think that moisture and mold patches won’t bring down the whole building, because they may be forming in the first place due to cracks in your structure (and cracks covered in mildew or mold are harder to spot). If it’s not a structural issue, some dehumidification, gutter maintenance or plumbing work should clear the moisture problem up.
More obvious signs of foundation trouble
Warping, tilting, or leaning of walls, floors, or ceilings are all signs that you should get professional advice immediately. Everyone should keep an eye on their property over time and look for these things. The naked eye can’t always see them, so use of a spirit level and notebook to record even the subtlest structural slanting.
The most obvious sign of all is cracking in the floors or walls. The slightest crack should always be a red flag to keep an eye on your structure because they can quickly worsen through seasonal expansion/contraction, structural pressures, and more. Swift action can allow you to repair early cracking relatively easily and affordably.
Foundation cracks often have a visual profile that differs from the less-pressing cosmetic variety. Any crack that is leaking water, runs horizontally (an indicator of increased perimeter pressure), or has the stair-step appearance may be a sign of foundation problems. Don’t hesitate to ask a professional their opinion; it may be a simple matter of brick and mortar repair.
You may need to contact a local housing inspector or engineer. Their skills can help you fully assess the strain on a property. The cost of these inspections varies by the service provider and sometimes locality, but it’s money well-spent to gain peace of mind and safety.
In the most severe cases, the building may have to come down. That’s a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be as stressful as you may fear.
Don’t dread demolition
It’s very common for people to feel uneasy about demolition’s destructive nature, but there’s no danger involved when you hire the right firm. It may be a messy business, but all the demolished material will be handled responsibly here in New Jersey. It can even become part of new projects in some very interesting ways.
Demolition may seem like an extreme solution, but when it’s necessary, it saves a building and its occupants from far worse things in the future.
Mikula will bring it down safely
Demolition with asphalt and concrete removal services has been a big part of our company’s history for more than 70 years, and our OSHA-trained team makes safety part of everything we do. That means looking after ourselves, our customers, and the surrounding environment.
Our demolition excavators come equipped with grapples to maintain precision control during the debris sorting process. We handle commercial projects and, if your demolition is residential, you can contact us for a free estimate. We’ll also take care of all the permits necessary to ensure project approval at the right levels.
Whatever the size of your exterior demolition, we’ve got the experience and the tools to do the job cost-effectively, efficiently, and, most importantly, safely. Get in touch with us at the link below if you have any structural concerns. We’re ready to help.
Mikula Contracting, Inc. provides commercial and residential customers with a wide range of excavation, demolition, environmental, trucking and soil materials services. For more information, call 973-772-1684 or email info@mikulainc.com
Construction and Demolition Materials Are Safe and Recyclable
Out of sight, out of mind; that’s what they say. Plenty of customers are happy to see demolished material disappear, but many are curious about where it all goes. Here’s the answer.
C&D (Construction and Demolition) debris certainly mounts up. America was producing 548 million tons of it in 2015, and that’s a figure set to hit 2.2 billion tons globally by 2025. Concrete, wood, and building fixtures and even earth, rock, and trees displaced at a site all go somewhere when the job is over. Many assume it will be dumped in a landfill somewhere and, to some degree, they’d be right.
Recycling is the way to go in a modern world that cares more about the environment than ever. Here in North America we’re second only to the Asia Pacific region in the C&D debris we generate. How well are we handling all that waste material?
C&D debris and landfills
You’ll be glad to hear that modern construction landfills are far from the negative image that might first spring to mind. Many kinds of industrial landfills exist today (of which C&D debris is one) and all are strictly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Some types of C&D like asphalt can be extremely toxic, so any such materials reaching a landfill end up in environmental locations which are responsibly chosen to not expose people or place the local eco-system at risk.
Recycling is an effective approach to debris
Recycling is the next step up. New Jersey has over 100 recycling facilities which take in a wide variety of C&D debris and make sure they’re recycled responsibly. What exactly happens? Let’s take concrete as an example. It may become RCA or recycled concrete aggregate; a durable, versatile, and sustainable resource which goes a long way in helping to build things like roads and highways.
Even soil that’s been classed as C&D waste material by becoming contaminated at a site, can get a second lease of life by recycling. Petroleum may have spilled into the earth, but remediation is possible so it can be returned to a safe state for use. Even toxic asphalt can be recycled safely.
Recycling has some interesting benefits
Rejected clay from demolition sites played a part in this amazing house in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This and other waste products helped give birth to a brand-new building which is healthier for the environment and more cost-efficient all around. Massachusetts has a great program called RecyclingWorks to incentivize responsible deconstruction practice. The program rewards firms who contribute with a double bonus of lower disposal costs and tax deductions.
There are no recycled houses in New Jersey (yet), but we’re still doing our part to be responsible.
How is New Jersey doing with debris?
Here at home, C&D debris means any waste building material and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition operations on houses, commercial buildings, pavements and other structures, but not including other solid waste types. Our state has a long list of waste material guidelines that covers all the bases, as well as further strict rules regarding the storage and processing of solid waste that protect people and the environment.
Even more eco-friendly is how NJ tries to minimize waste from the beginning. As we mentioned earlier, trees and other organic elements can become C&D debris, which is why NJ’s push for preserving trees during site development is such a good idea. There are plenty of benefits like reduced drainage, replanting, and energy costs, along with improved air quality and erosion control. There’s no need to handle demolished material if it’s not demolished in the first place.
Every good contractor knows the many elements which contribute to construction and demolition waste. The best firms don’t just dump and forget. They make environmental safety and staff awareness top priorities every time they get to work in their community.
Mikula Contracting cares about the job from start to finish
We hope you’re as happy about all these responsible ways to deal with debris as we are. Here at Mikula, the environment is one of our foremost concerns, which is why all of our operations throughout the state of New Jersey are carried out with our EPA license. We want to improve people’s lives and leave a site better than we found it, so we’re also proud members of the Land Improvement Contractors of America.
There’s no doubt that commercial construction and demolition can be a messy business. Get in touch today for help with your project or to learn more about what we do.
Mikula Contracting, Inc. provides commercial and residential customers with a wide range of excavation, demolition, environmental, snow removal, trucking and soil materials services. For more information, call 973-772-1684 or email info@mikulainc.com
The 8 Stages of a Demolition Project
What they entail and why each is essential for success
Before any sort of construction project can take place, often a certain amount of deconstruction is necessary. In many cases, something old has to be removed to make way for something new. This could involve a building or parking lot, or perhaps an in-ground pool. And while the demolition process is pretty straightforward, it entails much more than just knocking something down or taking something out. In order for a project to be successful, there are certain steps that have to be followed.
Assessment
A demolition company has to create a customized plan for each project, which is why the first step has to be a thorough assessment. This needs to include a survey of the structure, as well as the surrounding area and anything that could be affected during demolition. Knowing what materials were used in the building of the structure and how it was built is important, as both will have an impact on the demolition strategy. It’s also crucial to learn about potential hazardous materials that could be onsite, including anything flammable or explosive.
Estimate
Once the scope of the work is identified, it’s time to discuss costs. A demo company should offer an estimate for the job, explaining how they arrived at their numbers. Of course, an estimate is just that, and different factors throughout the demo process could change things.
Planning
The next stage in the demolition process is the creation of a plan, and one of the most important parts involves obtaining all of the necessary permits. Both city ordinances and those pertaining to local areas have to be adhered to. When the job gets approval, the demo company will then devise a plan for the demolition procedure, which includes the methods that will be used. At that point, safety measures will be put in place, such as nets, screens, and covered walkways. A plan will also be put together for handling any debris that is left behind.
Preparation
When the plan is in place, it’s time to prepare the site. This starts by ensuring that the entire building is completely cleaned out. Water, gas, and electricity must also be addressed, if applicable.
Inventory
In order for a demo project to go off without a hitch, building owners have to do their part. This includes taking an inventory of everything left and then making the necessary arrangements for it. Anything in good shape – including desks, chairs, or other furniture – should be donated. Things like old cleaning supplies or paint can’t just be thrown out; they need to be picked up by hazardous waste collection.
Inspections
It is vital to conduct a thorough inspection to discover any of the hazardous materials mentioned earlier, along with things like lead paint or asbestos before demolition. Finding something potentially harmful while the work is going on will immediately grind things to a halt, resulting in wasted time and money.
Demolition
Okay, so now it’s finally time for the actual demolition. With a good plan and the right preparation, this should actually be the easy part. Of course, during the demo stage, safety is the number one priority. All workers should know exactly what to expect and the roles they will play. Fire-fighting materials should always be nearby, along with medical and first-aid facilities.
Cleanup
The last step in the demolition process is the cleanup. Even when a small building is torn down, it can create quite a big mess. This is why debris removal should be part of the initial plan. Once everything is hauled away, things like temporary fencing or signs also need to be removed.
At Mikula Contracting, we go to painstaking efforts to ensure that every demolition project we work on is successful. In order to get the best and safest outcome for everyone, we follow all of the steps outlined above and never take any shortcuts. To learn more about our demolition services for homes or commercial buildings, or to get a free quote on your project, contact us. Call us at 973-772-1684 or send an email to info@mikulainc.com.
Nobody Cares for Customers Better Than a Local Contractor
The benefits of hiring a professional speak for themselves, but does it really matter if your choice is local? It certainly does. Here are the many reasons why a contractor from your own neighborhood is a cut above the rest.
Right off the bat, a local business is quite literally invested in their community. They’re not some big national corporation or shady company from out of state who lack all the right licenses. When you hire a local contractor, you’re choosing a team that has roots in the same ground you do. It’s an empowering relationship for all concerned. Customers get the best possible service while the contractor further cements (pun intended) their standing in the community.
It goes beyond this, too. A local professional understands every aspect of their job and that includes the legal and financial alongside the manual.
A local contractor knows the letter of the law
Legal requirements for contractors vary from state to state. The companies who really care will know what’s needed for their locality and make sure they’ve got it. This tells a customer two important things at once. First, this contractor takes the law seriously. Second, they care deeply about their customers and their own reputation; an unqualified contractor sets their customers up for trouble just as much as themselves.
Here in New Jersey, contractors need to carry insurance before they’re even allowed their license to start working. This is an excellent and disciplined approach which quickly presents the best available option to the client searching. It holds local contractors to a higher standard and protects everyone involved. The same goes for being bonded. A bonded contractor will be compliant with all local (as well as state) license laws. Since New Jersey contractors are all licensed at either the city or county level, bonds really show awareness and dedication to their home turf.
A local professional has the right insurance and permits
Plenty of contractors will tell you they’re insured, and an uninsured one is easy to spot these days. Check out their website to see if they have their insurance details prominently displayed. If they don’t, they’re breaking the law and putting you at risk while doing it.
All manual labor puts workers at risk. The right contractor will have worker’s compensation in place to protect their employees alongside other coverage like general liability and umbrella. As the name suggests, umbrella coverage protects them from a lot more than general does. Safety is of the utmost importance to us, which is why every Mikula Contracting operator is qualified under the strict standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA (as they’re more commonly known) treats worker safety as an absolute priority and they set the bar nationally for contractors when it comes to looking after their team. It’s more than common sense and laws; a safety-conscious contractor makes sure their customers don’t foot the bill for workers injured on the job.
We took an in-depth look at permits in our previous blog which are another benefit of hiring a knowledgeable local contractor. We’re also dedicated to keeping our local community as pristine as possible which is why we’re certified with the New Jersey Department of the Environmental Protection Agency.
A local contractor shares your weather woes
If you’re in the contracting business in New Jersey, you had better know about snow! Last year’s winter had many of us thinking we’d broken a record (but we had a long way to go). Any contractor can stay up to speed with our state weather via the web, but it’s only a local contractor who has the same experience customers do with ensuring your neck of the woods maintains business as usual.
Snow can be a sudden hazard. It can box you in overnight and leave driveways, highways, and commercial sites crippled for days, weeks, or even months. New Jersey’s northern communities are often the hardest hit and that’s why we provide both emergency and ongoing snow plowing and removal services with our state-of-the-art equipment.
What it all adds up to
Everything you’ve just read shows you why a local contractor beats the rest. Mikula Contracting is fully licensed throughout the state of New Jersey and we’re adding to our 73 year-long list of satisfied customers every day. We can be there to get the job done no matter where you are in NJ.
Mikula Contracting, Inc. provides commercial and residential customers with a wide range of excavation, demolition, environmental, snow removal, trucking and soil materials services. For more information, call 973-772-1684 or email info@mikulainc.com
Demolition: It’s Not Just Wrecking Stuff
You have to be a sleuth before you can swing that demo hammer
Not so fast! If we’re to believe those renovation/remake shows on cable, demolition is just donning a pair of safety glasses, knocking it all down, and hauling it away. It’s hardly ever that simple.
Demolition first requires that you know what you’re knocking down. It may contain hazardous materials that must be properly handled and discarded. Maybe even some of the material can be recycled. Long before the demolition gets underway there’s a complex level of investigation and identification that happens first.
Not a DIY project
Older structures undergoing demolition or renovation often contain substances that have, over time, been found to be dangerous. They might continue to be fine if left undisturbed, but they pose a serious danger to people or the environment if improperly handled during the demolition process.
One of the most common substances that must be identified prior to demolition and then handled and discarded properly, is asbestos. The Spruce reports that, according to the latest information published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), homeowners can remove asbestos themselves.
The agency advises, however, that you seek out the services of an accredited asbestos abatement professional. They’ve got both the equipment and the experience to safely remove, contain, and dispose of this material. It has the potential to cause serious harm. Asbestos irritates and causes scarring of lung tissue and it’s been linked to a fatal form of lung cancer called mesothelioma.
Even though there may be no regulations preventing you from removing asbestos yourself as a homeowner, you may likely be required to obtain specific permits. You’ll also have to take demolition material containing asbestos to approved facilities. It might be a better idea to put down the demolition hammer and call a professional.
And, all bets are off if it’s a commercial property. Current laws require the owner to utilize a certified abatement professional to contain, remove, and dispose of any material containing asbestos.
Costly mistakes
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Does not knowing about – or ignoring – potential hazardous or harmful material that will be exposed during a demolition excuse you from paying the consequences?
Ask Joanna and Chip Gaines, stars of the HGTV home improvement hit Fixer Upper. The EPA watched five seasons’ worth of episodes and concluded that the couple and their workers did not depict the normal lead-safe practices that should be followed when lead paint is removed during the demolition process.
In all, the EPA announced it had found possible violations in 33 of the properties the couple and their business had worked on and which had appeared on the show. The Gaines agreed to pay a civil penalty of $40,000. They’ll also spend $160,000 to properly abate any lead-based paint hazards in these homes. Meanwhile, Chip Gaines has been using social media to advise that Fixer Upper viewers should work with “certified renovators” as they approach home projects. A wise and money-saving suggestion.
The show is no longer being produced for HGTV, but the couple’s company, Magnolia Homes, announced it would take steps to stay in compliance with the EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act. It specifies with how to deal with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon, and lead-based paint.
Your neighbors will get involved
They probably aren’t going to ask if they can help, but your neighbors will be in on the action when the demolition gets underway. Watching it on a DIY or home improvement channel doesn’t give you a realistic experience. You might not hear it because it’s been edited or music has been added, but demolition is loud. Workers wear hearing protection. Your neighbors will get an earful of it, too.
Besides being potentially dangerous, improperly handled demolition can also be messy. A professional contracting company specializing in demolition will work to contain the dust and mess and they’ll get it done quickly. You and your neighbors will appreciate the efficiency.
An actual residential or commercial demolition project bears little resemblance to anything you’ve seen on TV. Sure, common sense tells you the process takes longer than 30 minutes. But it takes even longer than most people realize because the demolition actually starts with a wide array of preparatory activities that involve everything from applying for permits to sampling and testing for hazardous building materials. Showing it on TV could fill up a whole season’s worth of episodes. Get a demolition quote from us.
The Essentials of Commercial Land Clearing and Excavation
Commercial Excavation: It’s more than just removing trees and digging holes
Walk across the ground of an empty lot. It can seem solid. And that may be so, for the weight of a human. It’s a different story for heavy equipment and certainly a building.
The weight of a building has a different impact on the ground beneath it than you do, and that’s what excavation is really all about. It’s preparing the ground to support what will be built on it, which is far more detailed and precise than most people might imagine.
Breaking ground
Trees and rocks, or even existing structures, are the first things that must be safely and appropriately removed to prepare for building construction. While this is part of excavation, it’s only the start.
Land clearing doesn’t mean a building site is reduced to nothing but bare earth. Excavators can be tasked with preserving certain trees or geological elements like natural hills. Proper land clearing ensures that the trees and vegetation that remain stay healthy.
Generally, land clearing involves the removal of what’s above the surface and some of the topsoil itself. It’s called earth excavation when it’s necessary to dig foundation holes for buildings, bridges, or even roads, where the earth below the topsoil is also removed. Excavation can also include removing sediment and debris from water.
Preparing for construction
The objective of excavation is to prepare the earth to support the building being constructed on it. This can mean moving and adding material, as types of soil can behave differently when they are compacted. It’s the excavator’s responsibility to work with construction architects to ensure that the soil offers a dependable surface to support the building. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) puts soils into four categories, which are sorted by stability.
Stability is the main concern because a cubic yard of soil can weigh more than 3,000 pounds. It’s why excavation is also a science. It takes calculated and precise movements to position soil on a site to correctly support the project. It’s also why civil engineers and geological inspections are attached to the excavation process involved with commercial construction.
The right type of excavation is also crucial for the creation of proper drainage on a piece of land, especially if the topography has been changed to accommodate the building. Often, this involves working with excavators to decide the way to create the smallest amount of impact to the existing parcel.
Sites for new buildings, especially in urban areas, may need to be rehabilitated if preparatory testing discovers that the soil was contaminated by previous usage. This process is undertaken by excavating companies that collect the contaminated soil for relocation. These excavation site workers do more than remove the soil, they also work to monitor dust control.
Trenching
We think of excavation as digging into the ground, specifically as a space prepared for the foundation of a building. But when the excavation’s depth exceeds its width, it’s called a trench. Trench excavation is necessary for the placement of building-related functions like water pipe connections and sewage. These excavations can’t be more than 15 feet wide.
OSHA calls excavations associated with trenching the most hazardous in the industry, and the agency requires excavations deeper than five feet to have protective systems in place. If the trench is deeper than 20 feet, the protective system must be overseen by a professional engineer.
It’s all connected
Preparing a site for construction involves more than clearing the land. It includes the cooperation of a group of professionals whom are experts in various fields ranging from engineering to geology. The soil on the site must be made “competent,” or strong enough to withstand the forces that the load of the building will put on it. Excavators are also responsible for the integrity of their work, as well as the consequences on the surrounding areas.
Learn more about our commercial excavation services.
9 Precautions to Take Before Hiring a Demolition Contractor
Taking every conceivable precaution may sometimes lead you to make no decision at all. However, taking precautions is necessary, especially before hiring a demolition contractor.
Precaution should not be used for over-thinking and indecision. It’s simply the first step in hiring a demolition contractor to help minimize potential risks and achieve the best possible outcome.
Why you may need a demolition contractor
Demolition is not a do it yourself project – You Tube and the Internet is filled with videos and tips for how you can save money by taking care of certain tasks without having to hire a professional. Demolition is not typically one of them. If you don’t really know what you’re doing, it’s best to hire a demolition contractor. They have the right equipment to get the job done in less time. By doing it yourself, you will likely end up paying more in the long run because you will have to bring someone in to fix any mistakes or misjudgments.
There is more involved than just breaking or blowing things apart – TV home improvement shows make demolition look like fun. Wrecking something you are unhappy with in the first place can be liberating. But that’s not all you need to be concerned with. You also must think about the effect on surrounding walls and structures as well as what you will do with all that debris. A quality demolition contractor will have the experience and knowledge to handle all aspects of the project, both anticipated and the unexpected.
Demolition is dangerous – you could be injured or killed from falling debris. The existing structure could be unstable, which may lead to damage to your property. Then there is the possible issue of power, gas and water lines. Failure to take all these matters into consideration might create a dangerous situation or even death for you and everyone else around you. Play it safe by hiring a demolition contractor.
Why it’s vital to take precautions before hiring a demolition contractor
If you are building a home, re-building a home or removing a structure from your commercial property, you will need demolition. Any major undertaking such as this is a big deal and should not be taken lightly.
Therefore, you need to find a demolition contractor that understands the job, is trustworthy and will do the job right. No two projects are the same so it’s vital to compare apples and oranges separately to ensure you get the right company for you. This takes preparation, planning and precaution.
Steps you need to take before hiring a demolition contractor
- Get references and actually contact them.
Every business lists reviews from satisfied customers on their website, but do you ever actually speak to these people? If you are like most of us, the answer is probably no. Nevertheless, this is crucial in finding the right demolition contractor for your project.
- Ask the right questions.
Have there been any complaints about their work? How did the demolition contractor handle those complaints? Do they have the proper certifications and licenses? What permits will you need and is the company going to handle this for you or do they expect you to take care of it? You should also check with OSHA for resources to find out if the company has a good track record for compliance and worker safety. This is essential whether you are hiring a demolition contractor for residential or commercial endeavors.
- Decide how you will function while demolition is taking place.
For example, if you are having your kitchen demolished to make way for renovations, how will you cook and eat until the job is done. How will you operate your business in the midst of noise, dust or blocked access to your building? Even if you are only having one small area demolished, the entire home or building might be unsafe and dangerous for you to stay there while the work is being completed. For your business, you might have to move certain functions to another location, such as your call center or conference rooms. You must determine what your backup plan will be so that you experience as few interruptions as possible.
- Determine your budget.
It’s important to develop a realistic budget for your project. Also, remember that sometimes things don’t go as planned and it could end up taking longer than estimated. As a result, you should add a little extra to your budget to compensate for unforeseen issues that could arise. For instance, removing a bathtub could reveal a leak that you were not aware of but that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. You should check around and get a few estimates. Then, even if you don’t select the highest bidder, budget for a cost that is a bit higher than the quote.
- Open the lines of communication.
It’s important that you and your contractor are on the same page. This cannot be done without frequent communication. Make sure you describe what you want in detail and that the contracting company is able to fully grasp your vision. More importantly, you must also comprehend their instructions and advice. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask questions. That way, everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises.
- Check that the demolition contractor is licensed.
One of the worst things you can do is hire a contractor who is not licensed. You are doing a disservice to your project and your property. Without the proper licenses, there is nothing stopping them from doing shoddy work or scamming you out of your money. Those that are legitimate will proudly display their license number on their website, social media pages and in official documents. If you don’t see it anywhere, this is a telltale sign that something may be amiss and you should run. When it comes to licenses, each state has different requirements. You can find information online that tell you the requirements in your state. It’s also imperative that your contractor is bonded and insured. In addition, permits should be displayed onsite throughout the duration of the work.
- Get a contract in writing.
A written contract puts everything you’ve discussed in black and white to eliminate the chance for shockers or unexpected disclosures after the job has begun. Your contract should spell out the scope of the project, a payment schedule, what equipment will be necessary and an estimation of the timeframe for completion. It should be as specific as possible and clearly state how any changes will be handled. This is legally binding for both of you so make sure you comprehend all details before signing on the dotted line.
- Watch out for red flags.
The last thing you want is to give up your money or get halfway through a job only to realize you have been scammed. At that point, you will ask yourself if there were any signs you missed and how could this have happened. When you are armed with the right knowledge, you can protect yourself.
- Beware of a demolition contractor that asks for payment in full before starting your project. They may tell you that they need the money to purchase materials but this is a warning sign. A top quality contractor with experience in the industry should already have what they need. Also, try to avoid paying in cash.
- If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. You may feel lucky if you find a contractor that quotes a price far below other estimates or tells you the job can be completed in no time. However, that joy will be short-lived when you discover they cannot possibly live up to their promises. This is often the sign of an unqualified contractor who doesn’t really know what it takes to get your job done. And they are counting on you not knowing either. A closer look may reveal a long line of disgruntled customers. You must look beyond price to find a contractor that is trustworthy, skilled and offers you a fair price.
- A contractor that lacks insurance is big trouble. If there is an accident or other calamity, you will be liable.
- Trust the demolition contractor you choose.
Don’t go through all this work only to constantly question every decision made by the contracting company. Keeping an eye on your project is understandable, second-guessing is not. If you have done your homework and selected the company with the most experience and skill, your project will be fine. Trust that they can handle any issues that come up and will communicate effectively at each step along the way.
Demolition projects take time, expertise and competence. Don’t trust your job to just anyone. Mikula Contracting can handle all your demolition and disposal needs. From garage demolition to asphalt removal, we’ve got you covered. We service Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Union and Morris counties. Don’t live with that unwanted structure, room or ground material a minute longer than you have to. Call today for a fast quote.
Demolition: It’s More Than Just Knocking Stuff Down
When most people think about demolition, they envision wrecking balls plowing into the side of buildings or controlled explosions causing massive structures to sink into their foundation. But demolition is an involved and delicate process. There’s so much more that goes into the destruction of a structure than the simple act of knocking it down.
In fact, there are four very important steps that all demolition teams must undertake before they can even think about starting the process.
They are:
- Surveying
- Preparation
- Removal of Hazards
- Safety Measures
Only once all of these steps have been completed can a team move in and start tearing the structure down.
But what goes into these four key components of demolition that most people never see? And why is it important to hire the best team available to ensure that it’s done right?
1. Surveying
To survey a structure is to study the different parameters of the building itself and the area immediately surrounding it. This is typically undertaken in two steps. They are building surveys and structural surveys.
Surveying a building for demolition involves a lot of in depth analysis. We need to look back at its initial construction to gauge a few key components.
First off, we need to know what materials were used when the building was erected. Different materials require different strategies when demolition time comes around.
We also need to know what the building was used for prior to demolition. Was it a residence? A business? Did anything occur within that could change our overall strategy? Were harmful chemicals stored on the premises? These are all things that we need to know.
Speaking of chemicals, we have to determine if any hazardous materials exist within the structure. This includes wastewater, toxic chemical matter, flammable elements, and explosive or radioactive materials.
Drainage is another big concern. We have to gauge all possible water related issues, including pollution, flooding, and erosion.
If the building is sharing any facilities with an adjoining structure that’s something we need to address. Are there common walls, entrances or staircases? It would not be a good thing if another building came down with the first one.
We have to gauge the neighborhood as well. What does the through traffic look like, both pedestrian and vehicular? How will the surrounding area handle the noise, vibration, and dust? Are we creating a traffic hazard?
Once we know all of that, it’s time to survey the structure itself. What method was used when the building was constructed? How is the structural system laid out? What is the make up of the basement? Are there any underground vaults or tanks that we need to map out?
2. Removal of Hazards
Certain materials can cause adverse environmental and health conditions if exposed to the air. That’s why before demolition can occur, we have to remove these materials, lest we cause severe issues for the surrounding area.
Some of these include petroleum contamination, asbestos, or radioactive metals. We carefully remove these items from the site, disposing of them properly. It would not do well to release a cloud of asbestos into the sky as the building comes down.
3. Preparation
Once hazards have been removed and both building and structural surveys have been completed, then it’s time to create the demolition plan.
Yes, there’s a plan. You don’t just go in like the Hulk knocking buildings down.
A number of factors have to be taken into account and plotted strategically.
We take note of the location of the building, determining the distance between it and the adjacent structures, including buildings, streets, and street furniture.
We map out the buildings structural support to help us figure out the most efficient plan of attack. Then we begin to plan out the demolition procedure. That includes identifying the sequence of structural members that will be demolished and the demolition method that will be employed.
We also lay out protective measures such as covered walkways, catch fans and platforms, protective screens, hoardings, and safety nets.
Finally, we determine what our method will be for handling the debris left behind and lay out the time required for the entire process to be completed.
4. Safety
Before we start demolishing, the last thing we have to do it put all safety measures in place. All essential staff members are briefed as to what hazards exist and what our process is going to be.
We make sure that all non-essential flammable materials are removed. That includes any fuel, oil, timber, or wood. We make sure that these are stored in a proper facility far away from the demolition site.
We surround the demolition sight with firefighting materials and they remain there throughout the entire process.
We find suitable measures to protect our workers. There are multiple hazards which can adversely impact crew members, including chemical exposure, heat stress, dust exposure, noise exposure, ventilation, sanitation, and occupational diseases. We ensure that medical and first aid facilities are readily available.
In-Ground Demolition
Demolition is more than just knocking over a building. In-ground structures like foundations, basements, and in-ground pools are also part of the process.
We break up the concrete surrounding the pool or foundation and then break up the walls and floor. We remove the remaining debris, hauling it away in a dumpster. Any wood or aluminum framing that surrounds the perimeter also has to be removed.
Then, we have to fill the hole left behind with dirt or gravel. Once the site is graded, it is ready for grass seed to be laid down, or for a new structure to be built.
Conclusion
So much work and finesse go into the demolition process. It’s more than the mindless smashing that most believe it to be. When you’re planning your next demolition, whether it’s a commercial building, a home, a garage, or an in-ground pool, remember that you need a detailed and accurate team ensuring the safety and security of your property throughout the process.
Call Mikula Contracting for all of your New Jersey Demolition needs. We can be reached via phone at 973-772-7684 or reach out to us online.