Are you looking for an experienced demolition contractor? Marks Clearing & Grading’s sister company is Marks Demolition & Environmental Group.
We provide demolition services all over the Augusta, GA area that are thorough, safe, and affordable for homeowners and business owners just like you. But when you’re looking to demolish an old building or structure, exactly how does the demolition process work? There’s more to demolition that simply swinging a wrecking ball! Read on for our quick guide on building demolition.
1. Planning
Naturally, planning is the first step before starting any demolition project. First, you and your contractor have to be certain that you want to go ahead with the demolition project. Remember, this project cannot be reversed.
Secondly, you might need to have your project approved by the local authorities, if required. It’s important to have the local and city ordinances aware of your demolition project to avoid any inconveniences. (But don’t worry, that’s where we come in!) In addition, here are some of the key questions you’ll want to ask yourself before starting the demolition:
- Does the building have any major significance to others?
- Is the building or structure a historic landmark?
- How will your demolition affect the environment?
- Will the demolition adversely affect the neighbors and the community?
Answering the above questions will guarantee you will be well aware of any potential repercussions.
2. Preparation
After being certain you are ready to go ahead with the project, you can go ahead and make preparations. Below is a highlight on some of the stages you have to go through to ensure your preparation is thorough.
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Look for a Contractor
Unless you want to demolish the house yourself, employing the required professionals should be a priority. The best way to get the best contractor for the job is to ask for a list of pre-approved contractors from government offices. You can also ask friends for recommendations and suggestions. You’ll want to secure a company that has great online reviews from people who’ve utilized their services.
Our experienced team is incredibly knowledgeable of federal, state and local requirements and can handle all of the paperwork that’s involved in following proper procedure. Marks Clearing & Grading carefully handle all of the administrative details so you don’t have to.
Note that this stage is critical, especially when dealing with big projects. Staffing your project with the right professionals will significantly work on ensuring your demolition is a success.
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Cost Control
Proper budgeting is key when conducting any major project. Although demolishing a building might sound like a cheap project, it can become expensive if not carefully monitored by professionals. For this reason, have an outside contractor like Marks Clearing & Grading look into your budgeting, cost control, and other related items.
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Perform a Thorough Building Inspection
No one wants surprises on a project like this! A good contractor will be sure to conduct a thorough inspection before going ahead with the demolition. Discovering hazardous or valuable materials when you are knee-deep in the project will hinder your budget and drag your project behind schedule.
They’ll also scan for hazardous building materials such as asbestos and lead paints before proceeding to the next stage. That way, they can easily tell which demolition approach to use.
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Remove Any Usable Materials
Of course, you don’t want to discover a ruined office chair or desk that would have been usable after the demolition. There are a couple of options that will ensure nothing goes to waste. You can donate items to charity or have them recycled.
What’s more, you can try checking your local websites and schedule a pickup for the hazardous wastes such as batteries, cleaning supplies, and leftover paints. You should first salvage, then recycle.
3. Proceed with the Demolition
After completing the steps above, you will be ready to begin demolition. All the paperwork and the tedious preparation stage will be complete. However, although you are ready to start tearing things up, it’s time to integrate safety measures.
If you have ever witnessed a building demolition, you know that it can be dangerous and accidents can be serious. There will be large equipment such as cranes, sledge hammers, debris, and wrecking balls. Of course, the last thing you would want is for someone to become injured.
All workers on-site should be outfitted with the required safety gear. In fact, this is another reason you should choose your contractor wisely. Don’t be afraid to ask a contractor about the company’s history of and adherence to safety protocol.
Note that the worksite will be quite loud, dirty, and full of tripping hazards. For this reason, full-time safety precautions should be mandatory with a professional monitoring the site.
Remember, safety should be your priority when demolishing any project — whether big or small. Your building will come down either way, but it’ll be quicker if no one is hurt.
4. Clean Up
Now that the building is down, it’s time to clean up. The area will be dirty and full of debris and piled up materials. The best way to guarantee a successful cleanup is to hire professionals like Marks Clearing & Grading. Experienced excavators will ensure that the job site is thoroughly cleaned when the job is complete.
Our team has years of experience, and we’re equipped for the task.
5. Clear the Site and Take down Signage
Once the mess has been cleaned up, it will then be time to take down any signage and temporary fencing before wrapping up the project. Additionally, the contractor might need to fix any potholes, clean parking lots that were previously in use, and repaint any lines if necessary. Finally, the job is done! Your demolition project is a success!
Is Building Demolition Safe?
Yes, it is always safe if you employ the right team: one who is experienced, equipped for the job, and values safety above all else. Look no further than the experts at Marks Clearing & Grading.
Are you looking for building demolition for project? Do you or your business need demolition services? We are ready to help you — contact us today!