Do you need to clear an old structure off your property through demolition? If so, you're likely anxious to see it gone so you can move on to the more exciting work of replacing it with a new and infinitely more useful structure.



So, how long should you expect it will take to have an old building demolished? The answer varies based on a variety of factors. Learn about the five most likely to affect your construction project.



1. Asbestos Removal



Old buildings often have asbestos in different building elements - usually the cladding, insulation, or ceiling tiles. Asbestos has to be removed before any demolition can be started, and it generally needs careful removal by hand. This laborious process could take anywhere from a few hours to several days. The determining factor will be how much asbestos is inside and where it is. 



2. Permit Procurement



In the U.S, you generally need local agency approval to undertake a demolition by whichever means - both selective and traditional - and this time frame will be at the mercy of the local city or county offices. Approval processes vary by region, so you'll need to work with your contractor and the local city planning office to know exactly what will be required.



A small demolition project might get approval right at the city planning office. A large project, though, might need submitted plans for a full review and possibly an on-site inspection. If so, this could delay your timetable by weeks.



3. Utility Disconnect



Before you can destroy any building, you need to terminate or remove all the relevant utilities properly. This work needs to be done by professionals, so you will depend on their estimated time frames. Generally, power and waterlines must be removed and meters may need to go. This work may also be subject to inspection before you can continue.



4. Parts Salvage



This complexity of this step depends on your goals and the structure in question. If the building is historical, many architectural elements and fixtures may be worth money or have historic value and should be saved. A building filled with valuable resources, such as copper, might fetch good money on the scrap market.



Other goods are simply recyclable, which may appeal to an eco-conscious landowner. This includes anything from bricks to steel and wood or even furniture and windows. The more you want to salvage for whatever reason, the more time it will take to do so. If you or your staff do the work, this process may take a while. You could, alternatively, speed things up by using a service to do the salvaging.



5. Demolition



Now you've reached the point of actually deconstructing the structure. Two basic methods of demolition come with different time frames. Mechanical demolition is what most people think of when they picture destroying a building - an excavator and other heavy equipment tearing things down from the outside and leaving a pile of rubble. Depending on the size of the building, this could take an hour or it might take a week.



If you opt for the more careful selective demotion, the process will take longer. Again, this depends on the complexity of the work, but this is likely to add at least a few days onto a small demolition and possibly weeks onto a large one.



Clearly, the timetable for any demolition job can vary significantly. As you work through these basic steps, the more you have already done and the easier any are to complete, the faster it will go. The right demolition contractor is a valuable resource in minimizing the steps and staying on top of what needs to be done next.



At W R Beach, Inc., we understand demolition. Call today to discuss your project and learn not only what to expect but also where to begin.