Planning a demolition can be both daunting and exciting. It’s fun to smash down a building, and it’s not something that people get to do all that often. Whether you’re planning to clear a lot to use it for something else, are stripping a property down to the studs so that you can do some large-scale remodeling, or you’re just demolishing a wing to remodel that one area, you will need to plan the demolition process carefully.
Demolitions require forethought and careful preparation, both to ensure they go smoothly and to ensure they are done within the realms of the law.
The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have the permits required for the work. Pretty much every city in the United States will require you to get the right paperwork before knocking down a building, yes, even if you own it and the land that it’s on. Failure to get the right forms, in advance, can leave you hit with substantial fines.
Secondly, you will need to make sure that there is no asbestos in the property. Asbestos is found in more than just insulation, it can also crop up in floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, plaster, joint compounds, and many other building materials. If you disturb asbestos it can release fibers that are very dangerous to inhale, so make sure that there’s none in the property, or that the removal is done safely before demolition work starts.
Next, inform your neighbors of the planned works so that they know what to expect. A little bit of communication can go a long way towards smoothing things over. Demolition is noisy, so give them some earplugs and a nice treat to help keep relations positive.
If you need help preparing for demolitions or are looking for a good demolitions contractor in Tampa or St. Petersburg, give us a call at PAW Demolition today.