Demolishing or Modifying Existing Structures

31/5/2018

From time to time contractors have to demolish existing structures, either completely or partially, to enable new structures to be built. This work is inherently dangerous, and if it’s not done correctly could result in the remaining structures or surrounding property being damaged, and even people getting injured or killed.

Usually, large demolition work must be done by licensed contractors, but often projects involve smaller demolition works which are tackled by less experienced people. In fact, sometimes contractors have to demolish newly completed work because the work was substandard of poor quality and didn’t meet the project specifications because the client changed their mind, or the designer made a mistake. Some of these demolitions are done with little forethought and planning, sometimes with inappropriate equipment, often done hurriedly so that impacts to the construction schedule are minimised.

To prevent accidents it’s important that certain precautions and steps are implemented before any demolition work begins. These include:

Ensure all service lines and pipes have been terminated. Live electric cables are dangerous. Damaged water pipes can flood the project, or possibly leak underground undetected. Ruptured gas pipes can lead to explosions.
Make sure that the right structures are demolished. For example; in 2016 the wrong house in Sydney Australia was demolished. The contractor arrived at what they thought was the correct address and proceeded to demolish the house, instead of the house next door which they were supposed to demolish. A very expensive and embarrassing mistake. It pays to always double check and also to ensure that there is adequate supervision in place.
Hazardous materials, such as asbestos, should be identified and where possible removed. Not only are these materials hazardous to work with but they can contaminate all of the demolished materials and parts of the construction site which can cause bigger problems and costs to clean up.
All permits and permissions must be in place. Many jurisdictions require demolition contractors to be licensed.
Check that there aren’t any restrictions – heritage structures can’t be demolished.
Ensure that items that are to be salvaged have been removed.
Protect the surrounding properties and structures from dust and debris.
Prepare a risk assessment and safe work procedures.
Have the right equipment and trained operators.
Barricade the areas where demolitions are happening and keep unauthorised people out of the area.
Clear demolished material as quickly as possible to make the area safe.
Plan the work so that demolitions are done in the correct sequence therefore equipment can safely reach parts that have to be demolished, and so that structures aren’t left standing which are unsupported or weakened; they could collapse in an uncontrolled manner on top of people, equipment or other structures.
Provide adequate warnings to those around the demolition work who could be impacted by the demolitions.
Ensure there is adequate dust suppression systems in place to minimise dust.
For large demolitions it is advisable to complete dilapidation surveys of the surrounding structures to record all existing cracks and defects. This will ensure that the demolition work can’t be blamed for damaging structures and buildings when the cracks were already pre-existing and weren’t a result of the demolitions.

Often existing structures have to be partly demolished and openings cut in them. In addition to the checks above it’s also necessary to:

Have an engineer check the structure to determine that the modifications won’t impact its structural integrity.
As directed by the engineer, install permanent structural supports and beams, and where necessary temporary props and bracing.
Not remove temporary props and supports until the replacement structures have attained sufficient strength and have been inspected by the engineer.
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The opinions expressed in the attached articles are those of the writer. It should be noted that projects are varied and different laws and restrictions apply which depend on the location of the contractor and the project. It's important that the reader uses the supplied information taking cognisance of their particular circumstances. The writer assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss of any kind arising from the reader using the information or advice contained herein.

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Sam Gibson link

1/8/2018 11:08:13 am

It makes sense that you'd want to barricade the area that needs to be demolished. There's an old building around the corner from where I live. I'm hoping it will get torn down since it's kind of an eyesore. If they do demolish it, I'm sure the city will hire an experienced professional.

Paul

6/8/2018 05:22:02 pm

Thanks Sam. I hope your council hires a reputable demolition company as a lot can go wrong when a building is demolished - even small jobs can go wrong. Importantly with old buildings is to remove hazardous materials carefully - you wouldn't want to be near a building being demolished which contains asbestos, unless the contractor carefully removed it and made sure the fibres didn't blow all over the area.

Dave Anderson link

2/10/2018 04:54:20 am

I like how with demolition services that there is a safety protocol for those of surrounding buildings. I think it would be important to check out what you can and can't do because of the existing conditions of buildings. If I were to have a building demolished, I would want the buildings around it to be safe. More importantly, I would want the people to be safe.

paul

2/10/2018 01:52:13 pm

Thanks Dave. Good point to warn people in surrounding buildings and ensure they're safe.

Renz Path link

19/10/2018 10:03:08 am

I do agree with you that a widescale demolition will definitely require a qualified authorized contractor. As our father has a plan of toppling down his warehouse that is covering a large area, your article will definitely give him more ideas. I will share it with him and suggest to hire a licensed contractor who will help furnish a good quality work.

22/11/2018 02:28:37 am

Hi Renz, thanks for your comments.
I hope this article is useful for your father. Good luck with his project.
Regards
Paul

Kate Welling link

21/11/2018 06:01:28 am

Thanks for your demolition tips. My sister wants to tear her house down so she can build a new one, so this information will benefit her. You said that we should have the right equipment and trained operators. Maybe the best option for my sister would be to hire a demolition service so she can ensure that everything gets done right!

22/11/2018 02:26:16 am

Hi Kate, thanks for your comments. I suggest your sister purchases a copy of my new book, 'Build and renovate your home with your eyes wide open' which is packed with tips and valuable advice for those embarking on a home build project, whether doing the work themselves or employing contractors. The book is available in paper ore book from Amazon.
Wishing your sister all the best for her project.
Regards
Paul

Kit Hannigan link

28/11/2018 08:49:06 am

I like your tip about connecting an asbestos inspection first before proceeding to demolish a building. My son is looking to transform an old grocery store in our old town into his own photography studio. It has got some age to it, so I will be sure to advise him to get inspectors first before getting it demolished.

28/11/2018 12:02:05 pm

Hi Kit, unfortunately asbestos is a problem in many older buildings and could even be in old vinyl floor coverings, insulation, ceiling boards and electrical panels. Generally asbestos should not be a problem if it's in good condition and left in place. But cutting and disturbing items with asbestos can be lethal. It could also result in monetary fines and additional disposal costs if asbestos products aren't handled and disposed of correctly.

Amy Winters link

4/12/2018 03:18:31 am

Thanks for suggesting that we have a dust suppression system in place to keep the site as dust-free as possible. My husband and I want to expand our home, so we're currently looking for a demolition service to knock down the exterior wall. It makes sense that a lot of dust will be created, so I appreciate you sharing the advice about dust suppression.

4/12/2018 02:08:10 pm

Hi Amy, thanks for the feedback. You might find my book 'Build and Renovate Your Home With Your Eyes Wide Open' useful for your upcoming home renovation project. It's available on Amazon and from other online stores. It's filled with tips and useful information, from what to consider when selecting a contractor, managing your contractor, as well as design ideas.
Good luck with your project.
Regards, Paul

Hazel Owens link

26/1/2019 06:35:15 am

Thanks for the tip to check if there are any restrictions for demolition. My mom wants to add onto her kitchen, so I'm helping her find a demolition team to open the wall. We'll have to call around to find a company that can do it and see if there are any restrictions in our area.

27/1/2019 11:15:38 am

Hi Hazel, appreciate the feedback, always good to hear when I've been helpful. Your mom might consider reading my book 'Build and renovate your home with your eyes wide open'. Obviously not the whole book because there's probably stuff in the book which isn't relevant. But the book does include sections on demolitions and what to look out for and there is a chapter on choosing the right contractor. Good luck to your mom with her project. Regards, Paul

steele honda link

22/5/2019 06:39:49 am

Thanks for pointing out that many jurisdictions require demolition contractors to be licensed. My husband and I are thinking about demolishing our house so that we can build a bigger one in it's place. I think it would be smart to make sure that whatever demolitions service we hire is licensed so that we can make sure that they know what they are doing and so that we can know they will do a good job.

Alicia Byrne link

18/6/2020 11:57:51 am

I think you made a great point that we should make sure that all service lines and pipes are terminated before we start our demolition works. I agree with you that safety of the workers are very important. My husband is thinking of hiring a small demolition service to remove the garage in our house. I will let him know that we should be very cautious to ensure everyone's safety on the project when we hire a demolition service.

Kristofer Van Wagner link

10/9/2020 01:25:06 pm

I do agree with you that it is important to leave any demolition work to the professionals as it could harm of safety. The other day my sister mentioned he needs to have one of his buildings demolished. I will encourage him to hire ap rofessional.

Rachel Frampton link

2/11/2020 08:34:17 pm

My father would like to have the old building in his lot demolished so he may start with the construction of his home. Well, I agree with you that he must ensure that the right service lines and pipes must be removed because the cables could be dangerous. I'll also keep in mind to inform him about the importance of hiring a licensed contractor.

Sarah Smith link

21/11/2020 11:48:58 am

Thanks for explaining that I will need to get the right permits since and make sure the demolition contractors are licensed. My husband and I would like to get the pool in our backyard demolished so we can get a bigger one built. We will start looking for services that employ licensed contractors.

Eli Richardson link

26/1/2021 05:07:10 am

It's great that you talked about the safety measurements a demolition process needs to have. A friend is thinking about starting a construction project in a place where's a small building. And he's researching what it's needed to conduct the process most safely. After reading your article about all the dangers of this process, I think my friend should hire an experienced contractor for the job. I think you did a great job explaining how to demolish or modify a building.

Taylor Hicken link

27/1/2021 06:15:46 pm

I do agree when you shared that all of the demolished materials and parts of the construction site need to be cleared before starting a new project. This will ensure that every work can be done efficiently when the worksite is clean. I would like to think if a company is working on a project, it should consider hiring a reliable clearing service to help clean the whole demolished materials.

Larry Weaver link

28/1/2021 04:23:55 am

Thanks for explaining how important it is to make sure that service lines have been terminated before starting construction. I am thinking about demolishing an old building I own. I'll look for a contractor that ca help me make sure that all service lines are handled before they demolish my old building.

Sara Rundle link

3/2/2021 07:20:20 pm

Nice Article...Very interesting to read this article. I have learned some new information. Thanks for sharing.

kate hansen link

10/4/2021 06:17:14 am

It was really helpful when you said to have the right dust suppression systems in place. My husband is planning on working on a project at his work in a couple of weeks, and he wants to make sure that he does everything right for it. I'll make sure to pass this information along to him so that he can look into getting a dust suppression system for his work.

Hailey Miller link

22/6/2021 02:13:51 pm

Thanks for pointing out that we should work with experts to ensure the safe removal of structures. My husband and I are looking for high-quality orphan well abandonment solutions to ensure the safety of our children. We're hoping to know any problem that may be encountered during its demolition.

Chance Cook link

13/8/2021 11:51:10 pm

I would hope that whoever I hire to demolish my house would double-check with me. I would be beyond angry if they destroyed my neighbor's house. So I hope I can find a demolition company that I can be transparent with so this never happens.

Claire Masters link

7/12/2021 12:19:30 pm

My dad is planning to re-build the building his friend owns to put up an accommodation rental business. It's going to be the first time he's going into this endeavor so I think they want to look up more information and carefully plan their steps. It's helpful to read here that in hiring a demolition company they should always have a professional or an expert like an engineer to inspect the property so as to know the specifics of what they can do to it.

Victoria Addington link

7/1/2022 03:41:40 pm

I am most interested in your tip that Hazardous materials, such as asbestos, should be identified and removed since these materials are hazardous to work and can contaminate all of the demolished materials and parts of the construction site which can cause bigger problems and costs to clean up. My friend is having a complete renovation of their abandoned property. Knowing that now that demolition has a lot of things to consider, I must advise him to hire a demolition service that can do the job.

Austin Cleanup And Container link

12/9/2022 06:17:30 pm

Good point made in this blog and talked about how demolition companies can keep surrounding buildings and neighbourhoods safe. Austin Cleanup and Container plays a vital part in the construction process. Demolition companies work hard to ensure that buildings are demolished safely and efficiently. When choosing a demolition company, it is important to choose one that is experienced and has a good reputation.

Mia Evans link

16/11/2022 04:53:00 pm

I totally agree when you said that licensed contractors have to work on large demolition projects. In that case, we would need home demolition contractors with proof of license this coming 2023. It's for the property that I inherited from my grandparents which is unsafe to live in due to age, so I decided to get it demolished instead and have a whole new house constructed after.

Eve Mitchell link

1/12/2022 05:07:09 am

Thanks for mentioning that you need to ensure that there aren't any restrictions in your area. I would like to demolish part of my home to reconstruct it and add an extra room. I definitely need to get a permit and talk to some contractors to see how much it would cost.

Iris Smith link

24/2/2023 01:11:54 pm

Thank you for saying that so that the appropriate buildings might be destroyed. My sister intends to construct a home. She wants to demolish the house's current construction and replace it with a new one. I'll advise her to hire demolition specialists so that she can ensure that the proper building is destroyed.

Millie Hue link

11/5/2023 09:22:07 pm

I find it interesting when you said that there can also be hazardous materials that can contaminate other things on your construction site if not removed. The demolition contractors would probably be responsible for that, and they should be trained, especially when they have to handle asbestos. Now, I just need to find a company that has a good reputation when it comes to these services, because I want a new house built on the piece of land that my grandparents passed down to me.

Construction Equipment for Sale link

25/5/2023 08:55:28 pm

Great Post!!!! In a world where progress and development are constant, the topic of demolishing or modifying existing structures is one that sparks passionate debates. While it is crucial to embrace innovation and adapt to changing needs, we must also consider the value of preservation and the impact it has on our cultural and historical heritage.

THE AGENCY CORP LIMITED link

1/6/2023 12:32:43 pm

Demolishing or modifying existing structures requires careful planning and execution. The Construction Management Blog by PN Project Management offers valuable guidance and insights into this complex process. By addressing key considerations, such as safety, permits, and waste management, this article provides a comprehensive overview for professionals in the construction industry. It's fantastic to see organizations like PN Project Management sharing their expertise to ensure successful and responsible demolition projects. Let's embrace sustainable practices and create a better future through well-managed construction projects.

Venditti Demolition in Austin link

14/6/2023 04:43:31 am

I appreciate the presence of safety protocols in demolition services, especially when it comes to considering the conditions of surrounding buildings. It is crucial to thoroughly assess what is feasible and what precautions need to be taken based on the existing structures. If I were to opt for a building demolition, ensuring the safety of neighboring buildings would be a top priority for me. Most importantly, I would prioritize the safety of the people in and around the area.

Excavator for Sale link

27/6/2023 07:45:34 pm

Excellent article! I appreciate the informative discussion about demolishing or modifying existing structures. It's fascinating to observe the tension between preserving historical significance and welcoming progress. The author's emphasis on environmental impact and sustainability is commendable. As we face the challenges of urban development, it is critical that we find innovative solutions that combine the old and the new. This article offers a stimulating perspective on the delicate task of decision-making in our built environment. Thank you for shedding light on such an important subject!

Cássio Cunha Lima link

23/9/2023 05:38:56 pm

I appreciate how you delved into the considerations that go beyond the surface when deciding whether to demolish or modify existing structures. Your emphasis on the environmental impact and historical preservation is particularly commendable. It's vital that we recognize the importance of sustainable development and preserving our cultural heritage.

Demolishing or Modifying Existing Structures

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