FAQ: Essential facts about Residential demolition

Residential demolition involves single-family homes, garages, condominium suites, barns, or other structures on residential property. 

The answer is yes! Did you know that before renovations or demolition projects a survey has to be completed? 

This survey has to be completed so that all hazardous materials can be identified and removed in a safe and secure manner.

This survey will notify occupiers, residents and workers in the area so that they do not become exposed to these materials. This is very common with asbestos fibres!

Asbestos is generally considered a hazard the moment it releases dust or fibre. This is because asbestos usually enters the body while breathing or when it’s ingested, this can then be dangerous to occupants and residents in close surrounding areas. 

Asbestos fibres can then become stuck in mucus membranes or in the lungs. Sometimes these can be removed, but if not they can oppose health problems. 

In an industry like demolition we like to play it safe and remove all asbestos off of sites where we work, to protect our dedicated team and surrounding residents that may come into close proximity to our sites. 

• Insurance
• WSIB
• WHMIS
• First Aid
• CPR
• Working at Heights

Yes.  You will need to talk to your lender, bank, mortgage company, make application to the city for permits and hire a professional demolition / deconstruction company to perform the work and remove the debris.

Demolishing a house costs an average of $18,000 varying on many factors.

Factors include:

• Labour
• Site preparation / Utility Disconnects, (water, electrical, gas)
• Drywall or Plaster, Carpet, Tile and or Hardwood 
• Asbestos Abatement
• Dust Mediation
• Protecting Assets
• Disposal and Cleanup
• Miscellaneous

Factors include:

• Labour
• Site preparation / Utility Disconnects, (water, electrical, gas)
• Drywall or Plaster, Carpet, Tile and or Hardwood 
• Asbestos Abatement
• Dust Mediation
• Protecting Assets
• Disposal and Cleanup
• Miscellaneous

A Pre-Demolition Designated Substance Survey must be done on your property before you go ahead with a demolition. The survey determines the presence of hazardous substances on the premises with the purpose of seeing whether there are any substances that might pose a threat to workers or occupants. Project leaders can then take precautions to ensure the safety of everyone on site, as well as providing for the proper removal of these materials.

The demolition crew will do its best to reuse and recycle whatever materials they can. Scrap metal, flooring, carpets, plasterboard, wood, roofing materials can all potentially be salvaged. You may choose to reuse some of these materials in your new building, and whatever is left can be sold or used elsewhere. 

Demolition contractors can be helpful even if you only plan to do a partial demolition or strip out the house’s interior while leaving the core structure intact. Pro-Demo can either full or partial demolitions. It is advisable that you call upon our demolition professionals even if you only plan to leave much of the building as it is.

Demolition is the total destruction of a building using either mechanical methods or explosives. Deconstruction is a slower and more careful process, in which the building – or specific parts of a building – are pulled apart using hand tools. You should choose demolition if you plan to raze the entire building. Deconstruction is more appropriate if you only wish to a partial demolition or strip out certain parts of the structure while also salvaging materials for reuse or resale.

While demolition is very messy and produces a lot of waste, it is entirely possible – in fact, it is mandatory – to carry it out in a way that shows the utmost care for the environment. Hazardous materials must be disposed of in accordance with regulations, and demolition workers will always take great care to ensure that their sites are left in a clean and tidy state. Everything that can be reused and recycled will be, and the preservation of the neighbourhood’s clean air is always a priority.

If you are about to undertake a renovation, a rebuild, or any home construction project that requires the total or partial demolition of your existing structure, Pro-Demo has the expertise and equipment to carry out the work and safely dispose of all waste materials. Contact us today for more information on your residential demolition.