Commerical Demolition FAQ

excavator st petersburg flamingo resort commercial demolition site work

If you’re here, you’re not alone. It’s not every day that you demolish a place of business. Most people don’t expect to be in your shoes. You’ve probably seen wrecking balls in cartoons, or seen clips of big buildings being blown up, but that’s likely the extent of your knowledge. And that’s ok – we don’t expect you to be an expert. Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions. Hopefully this gets you on your way, but if your question isn’t answered here, we’re always just an email or phone call away.

It is your responsibility, as the owner of the property, to call the utility providers and request that your service be disconnected before demolition begins. Electric lines need to be removed from the residence. Water and gas lines need to be shut off. This process should be handled early, as utility companies may not be available on short notice and shutoff may take time.

Currently, with the Covid-19 situation, acquisition of permits can take longer than we would like. Processing times vary by location and project, but generally we expect 2-4 weeks. If you choose to hire us, we will communicate with you regularly to make sure you are updated on the status of your project.

AAA Service Company will take responsibility for acquiring all of the necessary permits, filling out the necessary forms, and ensuring that the demolition work is completed to the satisfaction of the relevant authorities.

Asbestos is a highly regulated and very dangerous construction material often found in older buildings. We take asbestos abatement very seriously and obey all local, state, and federal ordinances. If asbestos is found to be present, teams with protective equipment will cordon off any areas containing high levels of asbestos and carefully remove it.

While specialized procedures are required by law or code in many circumstances, If you know of or suspect the presence of Asbestos outside of standard testing practices, please inform us and we will send a specialized Asbestos testing and abatement team.

While television and movies might have convinced you that demolition can only be handled with a wrecking ball or a stick of dynamite, AAA Service Company typically leans heavily on excavators and skid steers for commercial demolition. These machines are powerful enough to tear a building down without flinching, yet precise, versatile, and mobile enough to also sort, load, and process the waste remains of the building.

At AAA Service Company, we pride ourselves on recycling as much as possible from the demolition process. Concrete, metal, and wood are all taken back to our [recycling yard](wrfla.com). There, we sort, process, and re-sell them as gravel, mulch, and more. Very little waste from your project will be sent to a landfill.

Every structure is different, and it’s hard to say without seeing your situation in person. Please contact us or fill out the form at the bottom of this page, and we can send a professional estimator out to you.

The answer to this depends on city and county regulations, but the general answer is yes. It is generally expected that a demolition site should be filled and graded to match the surrounding area, as well as seeded with new grass to prevent erosion. If backfill and grass seed are required in your area, we will include it in our cleanup process at the end of your demolition.

Every structure is different, and it’s hard to say without seeing your situation in person. Please contact us or fill out the form at the bottom of this page, and we can send a professional estimator out to you.

The answer to this depends on city and county regulations, but the general answer is yes. It is generally expected that a demolition site should be filled and graded to match the surrounding area, as well as seeded with new grass to prevent erosion. If backfill and grass seed are required in your area, we will include it in our cleanup process at the end of your demolition.

Timeline of a Commercial Demolition

Building a Relationship

You searched around. You did your homework. And you've reached out to us with some questions. Let's see what we can accomplish together

You Contact Us
First Contact Is Made

Whether by phone or by email, the first step is to reach out. Tell us about your project, your budget, and your needs. We'll help you figure out the best path forward.

Estimator Visit
1-2 Days
Our Professional Estimator Visits

Once we have spoken about the general scope of your residential demolition project, we always send one of our professional demolition estimators out to your location. Our estimator will take photos, measure the area, make sure that our machines can access the site, and check for anything that might complicate the project.

Estimate Sent
Within a Week
We Send Our Estimate. Do You Accept?

Once we have had a chance to review the Estimator's findings, we will work up and send over a full estimate. At this point, the ball is in your court. If you choose to hire us, then we move on to the next phase.

Permits and Prep

Don't worry - we'll make sure that you have all of your T's crossed and your I's dotted before the commercial demolition begins. We will handle the hard stuff for you.

Notice of Commencement
Notice of Commencement
The Notice of Commencement is a legal document that makes a project's commencement known to the County. It is required for any demolition project over $2500. This is the first document that we need to get your residential demolition project officially started.
Utilities
When Available
Utilities

You will be responsible for reaching out to utility providers to disconnect your soon-to-be-demolished property from electric, gas, water, and any other utilities as applicable. This can be completed simply by calling 811.

Since their crews will complete the work, we cannot vouch for their schedule or timeliness.

Asbestos
2 Weeks for testing,
Several weeks for abatement
Asbestos Testing and Abatement

Asbestos testing is often required by law during large commercial demolition projects. If so, we will arrange for your property to receive full asbestos testing. If it is found, we will connect you with asbestos abatement professionals that we trust. We are not licensed to provide this service internally.

Permits Filed
Wait Time Varies
Permits Filed

AAA Service Company will file for the permits required to complete your demolition project by the books and in full compliance with the law. Due to the impact of COVID-19, we are unable to predict how long it will take for permits to be issued at this time. However, we will do everything in our power to complete this process in a timely manner.

Fence
Within a Week
Erosion, Fences, and Tree Protection
If necessary or required by law, we will stop by your property before the demolition to erect security fences, silt fencing (a common form of erosion control), or tree protection measures.

Demolition Begins

Everything has been building up to this point. Months of preparation has led up to the day that our crew can begin demolition for real.

Machines Arrive
Day Of Demolition
Machines Arrive

Sometimes, if it is more convenient for our logistics team, we may ask to park our heavy machinery on location the evening before demolition begins. But usually they will arrive first thing on the morning of the big day.

Demolition Begins
Varies by size of property
The Demolition Crew Gets Busy

Depending on the size of the project, a standard commercial demolition can take anywhere from one day to several weeks. During this time, the crew will be on the demolition site full-time, with trucks cycling in and out to deliver materials and remove waste.

Silt, Seed, and Mulch
Last Day of Demolition
Final Touches on the Demolished Property

The last step of a demolition project is to secure the property from erosion. Landscaping and buildings used to protect the dirt from blowing or washing away. In their temporary absence, other solutions are needed. Our crew will lay down silt fence, grass seed, or mulch, depending on your needs and the local ordinances.

Final Inspection
1-2 Days After Demolition
Inspector Signs Off On Demolition
After the demolition is complete, we will reach out to the relevant local authorities and request a final inspection. They will visit the residential demolition site to certify that the project was completed in compliance with the law, and then close out the permits if they are satisfied.
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