When it comes to the construction process, navigating it from beginning to end in a safe and organized way is key. Demolition is where it all begins. You must make sure it’s done right, or you’ll pay for it later.
Do you know what to expect during these first steps of your construction project? Do you know the regulations and permits that are required? Whether you want to do it all on your own or know that you’ll probably need a contractor to handle things, you should be aware of the entire process (including the excavation process in New Jersey), the potential problems, associated costs, and more. Let’s make sure you know all the details before you get started.
Understanding New Jersey’s Demolition Regulations and Permits
Acquiring the necessary permits for your demolition project or excavation work is vital to the construction and building process. Abiding by the regulations set by the state, county, and city is also a must. But keeping track of all these regulations and required permits can seem impossible for the average person. This is one of the examples of why you shouldn’t go it alone.
Keeping track of all the permits and regulations for each part of the demolition and excavation process is one reason hiring a contractor will pay off quickly. The contractors at Mikula Contracting will take care of it all, alleviating all of your worries.
Hiring a Demolition Contractor: Tips and Considerations
When you’re choosing a demolition contractor, be sure to consider the skills and experience of your potential hire. Here are a few other considerations and tips for choosing the right contractor for your project.
- Check out your potential contractor’s reputation. Ask around for others that have used them in the past to find out more details. You can also look up the company you’re interested in hiring to read the reviews that have been posted for them.
- Ask for references and examine the work done for yourself to ensure it’s top quality.
- Ask about the tools and equipment that will be used for your project. Using the proper equipment is key to completing the job correctly.
- Find out what safety procedures the company abides by.
- Be sure your contractor is licensed and insured – no matter what!
Safety Precautions During the Demolition Process
A demolition crew must take appropriate safety precautions while they work. If not, accidents can happen quickly.
Some of the most important safety precautions your contractor and demolition crew can take include:
- Wearing personal protection equipment, including gloves, steel-toe boots, reflective vests, and more
- Ensuring that all workers are properly trained and qualified to do their job before stepping foot on the job site
- Shutting off utilities before working
- Staying out of unsafe areas that present structural hazards
- Maintaining a clean job site to protect against injuries
- ALWAYS watching and preparing for asbestos. Working with professionals that will take the right steps to handle the situation per the necessary guidelines and requirements.
After demolition and clean-up, excavation can begin. Excavation isn’t just the process of moving dirt from one place to another, especially for large structures. There is much more involved, including:
- Setting corner benchmarks
- Surveying for ground and top levels
- Excavation
- Backfilling to cut off level
- Construction of dewatering wells and interconnecting trenches
- Marking for the building/home
- Construct bunds to improve stability or support pipelines on the excavation site
Practice due diligence in finding an excavation contractor to complete your project safely and on time.
Navigating Environmental Concerns and Demolition Waste Disposal
Construction and demolition projects naturally bring about a lot of waste. It doesn’t matter whether you’re building a new building or home or tearing down old ones – large amounts of waste are inevitable. This is why taking care of and disposing of that waste correctly is important. Before hiring your contractor, ask how and when building material waste will be removed. You don’t want to be caught doing it on your own or find out that there isn’t already a plan in place.
Some construction and demolition waste may consist of:
- Concrete
- Wood
- Metal
- Glass
- Plastic
- Asphalt
- Drywall
- Brick
- Plumbing materials – pipes, sinks, toilets
- Landscaping material – trees, rock, dirt, etc.
So, what can you do to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill? Doing your part to reduce waste can include reusing materials, recycling products, and going out of your way to rebuy these types of materials when you can– taking these small steps can make a difference. It all adds up! Talk with your contractor about what they do to help reduce waste at the job site.
Dealing with Unexpected Issues During the Demolition Process
Mikula Contracting is the company you need to complete your demolition and excavation process in New Jersey the right way. You don’t want to be the one dealing with demolition and excavation site issues on your own. These projects require a lot of know-how, experience, and attention to detail.
A large excavation and demolition project requires a contractor that is efficient, practices safety always, possesses the needed tools and equipment, has a plan for responsible waste management, and delivers quality work. Mikula Contracting checks all the boxes and more. Call our team today to learn more about how we can help in your next project.
