1: Should I Renovate or Demolish My Structure?

Sometimes, it's not entirely clear whether you should have a structure demolished or try to restore it through a renovation. If you're looking at a run-down farmhouse, for example, is it worth the money and effort to restore it?
The first thing you should determine is whether the structure can actually be saved. In some cases things might look good on the surface, but a deeper investigation could reveal significant problems. This is especially true when it comes to the foundation, a common area for serious issues to emerge.
Let's say the old farmhouse in our example is in rough shape, but the core structure is sturdy enough to be restored.
Now you need to ask if the work and money to bring the house back to life is worth it. Will you perform some, or all, of the restoration yourself? What contractors will you need to hire? If they find hidden problems, how much could it add to the cost?
There's no doubt that renovating an old farmhouse would result in a unique and beautiful historical home. But, the journey to get there might be long and difficult. In the end you might find it makes more financial sense to build new.
In that case, you should consider having the building demolished and removed so a new home can be constructed. While it's great to renovate and restore, new construction ensures your house is built to modern standards from the ground-up.

2: Can I Perform Demolition Work Myself?

We love the do-it-yourself spirit here at CDP Excavating. However, we don't recommend this for most situations.
(And it's not because we want the business, either!)
Demolition is a big job, even on smaller structures like storage sheds or detached garages. Doing it by hand is extremely labor-intensive and dangerous, as you'll be dealing with old, rotted, and rusty building materials. Not to mention airborne debris or toxic chemicals.
You could rent a small excavator, but that requires you understand how to safely operate the machine. Removing a structure is more involved than merely smashing it. You need a steady and experienced hand to dismantle the structure in an efficient, clean, and safe manner.
Oh, and don't forget about the big pile of building waste at the end. It can't be dropped off at any landfill, you need to transport it to specific facilities where they accept those materials. Depending on what you remove, it may even need to be dropped at multiple locations. Doing this yourself can be a ton of effort and time.
Finally, it's important to think about what you want to do with the space left behind. If you're hoping to build a new structure, the ground must be properly prepared and levelled. While a quality demolition contractor can do this for you, it could be a hassle to do it on your own.
That's why we believe that your DIY energy and time should be saved for building something new, not on demolishing the old building.

3: Do I Need to Worry About Asbestos?

Asbestos is a common concern in building demolition, as disturbing the material can have lethal health consequences in the long-term. That's why New York state law mandates that an asbestos survey must be performed before any demolition activity takes place.

You need to have a Certified Asbestos inspector examine your structure to determine if any asbestos materials are present. Should the inspector find asbestos, they will need to be "abated" before demolition can commence.

The presence of asbestos will likely increase the cost of your demolition project, but the health impacts of ignoring it are far more important. You may not notice the diseases caused by asbestos until 10, 20, even 40 years in the future. There is no cure for the damage caused, so it simply isn't worth it to take the risk.

Besides the health concerns, there's also a practical one. If you fail to have an asbestos inspection performed, you could be hit with significant financial penalties and even the refusal of future permits.

A good demolition contractor will be able to recommend trustworthy Asbestos Inspectors and Asbestos Contractors that will ensure your project remains safe and legal.

4: How Does The Demolition Process Work?

What are the actual steps that need to take place in a demolition project? You might be surprised to hear this, but it's a little more complicated than just knocking down a building!
Depending on the type of structure that's being demolished, there may be minor differences in the process.
Overall however, a demolition project typically follows these steps...

As you can see, there's quite a few things to think about in order to have a structure removed!
But, when you work with an experienced contractor, they'll be there to ensure each step is smooth and easy. Beware of cheap contractors who may be more likely to take shortcuts or do slap-dash work.

5: Will Demolishing a Building Ruin My Yard?

The impact demolition has on your property depends on the structure being removed. Getting rid of an in-ground pool, for example, will require more disruption than a dirt-floor garage.
However, no matter what you need demolished, a quality contractor will take every precaution to limit the disturbance to your yard. They'll make careful plans to avoid unnecessary mess, clean-up after themselves, and may even use ground mats to protect sensitive areas.
Which brings us to another reason it's so important to work with a trustworthy and experienced contractor... how they treat your property!
When you hire a bottom-dollar operator, they're going to be in a big rush to get your demolition done as quickly as possible. That's because they need to work many jobs to make money at their low rates.
The problem is that rushing almost always leads to additional mess and disturbance (that won't be cleaned up by cheap contractors).
It might seem like a good deal to go for the low bidder at first, but having to repair large patches of your land will be frustrating and costly.

6: What Happens to The Demolished Material?

After your structure has been dealt with, there's going to be a big pile of waste materials to deal with.
Your contractor will handle the disposal of this material by loading it into a trailer or dump truck, then transporting it to the proper facilities for disposal.

Sometimes, however, you may wish to utilize some of the demolished material on your property. For instance, demolished concrete can be used to build-up low lying or saturated areas.

If you have a purpose in mind for your demolished materials, let your contractor know in advance and they should be able to accommodate.

7: Is There Demolition Prep I Need to Do?

Depending on the type of structure you're having demolished and your property, there may be some preparation required.
Thankfully, it's almost always simple and straightforward!

First, you should ensure the structure is cleared of any materials or items you wish to save (if it's safe to do so). This can be especially true when demolishing an old home, as there may be objects inside that have sentimental value.

The area around your structure should also be clear of obstructions, so do a walk-around and check for anything that could impede demolition.
When working with a quality demolition contractor, they will also perform a site visit to note any potential issues and how to resolve them.

We also recommend letting your neighbors know about the demolition and when it will take place. A quick "heads-up" can save arguments or frustration down the line!

8: Do I Need Permits for Demolition?

Yes!
Acquiring permits is very important for a demolition project, as many areas in Central New York consider them a type of construction. You can find out which permits you require and how to apply through your local government office or website.

A permit from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation may also be needed, if your project is located in a protected area.

As covered earlier, an Asbestos Survey is also mandatory for demolition work in New York state. While not so much a permit, it is still a necessary step and worth mentioning again.

If you're not quite sure what permits are needed for your project, contacting your local government office is a great way to find out.

9: How Do I Find the Best Demolition Contractor in Central New York?

There are many great demolition contractors in our region, so you may be wondering how you decide which one to hire for your project.

While no secret formula exists for finding "the best" contractor, if you follow these tips you'll be able to easily identify the quality operators who will deliver great results.

10: How Much Will My Demolition Cost?

By far the most common question we ever receive is people wondering what the cost of their demolition project will be.

This is a tough question, because each project is different. However, we can highlight four key factors that impact your costs, then give you a rough price range!

Conclusion

We're glad you joined us we answered ten of the most common questions our team is asked about demolition work!
Hopefully, you now have a much more clear idea of how the process works, what's involved, and the importance of hiring a great contractor.

As we said in the beginning, demolition is an excellent way to increase the value and enjoyment of your land. By removing unwanted structures, you're opening the door to new development opportunities.

But, we also understand that we couldn't answer every question about demolition here.
So if you have a question we did not cover or you'd like to learn more about something we did discuss, get in touch with our team at CDP Excavating today.

We'd be happy to answer your questions, provide an honest quote, and help you develop your property in the way you see fit.

Scroll down to send a message or give us a call!

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