Have Questions About Commercial Demolition in Northern Virginia? Here’s What You Should Know
If you’re a business owner who wants to open up a physical location for their brand, you’ll need commercial demolition services in Northern Virginia.
Unless you’re starting construction on a vacant block, you’ll need to demolish the existing structure to make way for a new commercial property.
But before you hire a contractor for commercial demolition services, you’ll need to know the basics.
Here’s everything you need to know about the overall process, different steps involved in a project, and factors that are considered when calculating the cost.
Typical Commercial Demolition Process
Commercial demolition in Northern Virginia isn’t as simple as coming in and knocking down walls.
Before the team can start, they perform a thorough inspection of the building. This includes checking for safety risks and toxic chemicals.
After clearing out the building, they decide on the most appropriate method to demolish the structure. This includes verifying if there’s a need for explosives.
Then, they seal off the building after finalising the demolition plan. Post-demolition, they clear away debris and other materials, like tiles, roofing, concrete, wiring, and insulation.
Total Demolition
The first is total demolition, and it involves removing the entire building.
This type is preferred if the current building is designed for a different purpose than what you’re looking for. For instance, a retail store versus a restaurant.
Since each of these buildings have completely different layouts, it’s not possible to integrate the new plan to the old one. So, it’s best to start over.
Selective Commercial Demolition
If you’re only looking to demolish a portion of the current structure, selective demolition is preferred.
Clients choose this if one part of the existing building is in good shape and aligns with their needs.
Interior Demolition
If the exterior of the building is in good shape but the interior layout needs a change, it makes sense to opt for interior demolition.
Property owners choose this option to retain the aesthetic appeal of a historical building, while ensuring that the interior meets modern needs.
Different Stages of a Demolition Project
While the duration of commercial demolition in Northern Virginia can range from a week to a few months or more, they usually comprise the following stages:
1.- Securing Permits
Licensed professionals like our team at K&B Brother’s Contractors make sure to acquire relevant permits.
This helps ensure that the demolition is performed legally.
2.- Removing Furniture and Appliances
In some cases, the property is already empty and ready to be demolished. Meanwhile, others still have furniture and appliances.
Clients can choose to reuse or sell them, in which case they need to be removed before the building is demolished.
3.- Implementing Safety Measures
To prepare a demolition plan, the team needs to have specific safety measures in place.
At K&B Brother’s Contractors, we typically evaluate the building, including its composition, to look for things like hazardous building materials.
4.- Demolition
After implementing necessary safety measures, the team can start demolition.
The type of tools and equipment used can depend on the size and scale of the job.
Interior demolition typically requires the use of hand-held tools, while total demolitin involves the use of heavy equipment.
5.- Debris Recycling and Removal
After demolition, the debris is collected and removed from the property.
How Is The Cost of Commercial Demolition Calculated
The per square foot cost of demolishing a property is affected by the following:
Location Accessibility and Permits
The cost of acquiring a permit depends on where the building is located. Similarly, some neighbourhoods are harder to access, making the process more expensive.
Project Scale and Size
If you’re demolishing a larger building, it’s bound to take more time than a smaller one. More importantly, it will result in higher costs.
Type of Building Materials
Older building materials that have gone through wear and tear are easier to demolish than a new property that was only built a few years ago.
Presence of Hazardous Materials & Recycling or Debris Disposal
After knocking down the building, they collect and move the debris. You can decide whether to use it in further construction or not.
Contact our team at K&B Brother’s Contractors today for a free quote on commercial demolition in Northern Virginia
