Big demolition jobs, like commercial building teardowns, often come with big paychecks — and for good reasons. These projects demand large equipment and skilled crews, and the work carries serious responsibilities.
Commercial site demolition requires careful planning, site surveys, permits, specialized safety gear and emergency response plans to protect both workers and the public.
If you are bidding on a large-scale demolition project — or planning to tackle one in the future — take time to learn the process. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to make the job both safe and profitable.
Are You Ready for a Building Demolition Project?
Buildings can be demolished in seconds during an implosion, and a wrecking ball can tear through a structure in no time. But what many do not see is the extensive planning that goes into those actions to make sure that crews and the public stay safe. In fact, the act of tearing down a building can be the shortest step of the entire process.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), demolition is “the dismantling, razing, destroying or wrecking of any building or structure or any part thereof.” OSHA also describes it as “Construction in Reverse, with Additional Hazards.”
Demolition is tough, physically demanding work that calls for specialized skills and equipment.
You’ll need a building demolition plan to determine the best way to safely take down a structure. Only when all preparations are complete can the actual demolition begin.
Items to Consider
Before bidding on or taking on a demolition project, consider the following factors that will affect your strategy:
- Building Size: A multi-story commercial building with a basement requires a detailed building demolition plan and more sequencing than a single-story home on a slab foundation.
- Location: Are there buildings, roads, utilities, people or wildlife nearby? The demolition strategy will need to account for environmental concerns, access to the site and other ordinances that come into play.
- Permits: Permits help make sure that the project complies with local codes, zoning laws and safety regulations. Failure to secure permits can result in fines, legal issues and project delays.
- Hazardous Materials: If the demolition project requires hazardous material handling or asbestos removal, you may need to hire specialists and get additional permits.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Site Demolition
Now that you’ve decided to take on a project, use this guide to help you get organized and ready for a successful demolition project.
While each project is different, you’ll always need specialized equipment. From teardown and debris removal to final cleanup, renting high quality, reliable equipment can maximize efficiency and minimize overall project costs.
Equipment Rental List
Look for equipment rental providers with a reliable fleet of:
- Earthmoving Equipment:
- Backhoe loaders — Best for various digging, loading and transporting tasks.
- Dozers — Best for moving large volumes of dirt, rock, scrap and debris.
- Mini excavators — Best for tight spaces and precision tasks.
- Compact track loaders — Best for scooping and moving debris on soft or uneven terrain.
- Skid steer loaders — Best for various tasks in confined, hard surface areas.
- Material Handling Solutions:
- Dump trucks — Best for various transporting large amounts of materials.
- Equipment attachments — Hammers, grapples, shears and blades enhance productivity and versatility.
- Other Equipment:
- Trade and contractor tools — Hand tools, grinders and dust vacuums handle detail work and keep the site clean.
Learn More: The Ideal Earthmover for Each Type of Construction Job
1. Survey the Site and Test for Hazardous Materials
The first step of any demolition project is to survey the structure and the surrounding area.
During the survey:
- Identify key support elements (load-bearing walls and beams), construction materials and the building’s overall structural condition.
- Check and test for hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, silica, polychlorinated biphenyls and mold. This may require specialists to perform these tasks.
- Map out the location of both underground and overhead utilities, including water, electricity, gas and sewage lines.
- Review the surrounding area to identify nearby buildings, streets, sidewalks, water sources and anything else that could be affected by the work.
2. Develop a Building Demolition Plan
Use the findings from the survey to create a comprehensive demolition plan. This detailed plan is needed to secure permits and make sure everyone works toward the same goals.
The building demolition plan should:
- Explain how the structure will be safely taken down.
- Include the chosen demolition method — manual, mechanical (using equipment like excavators and dozers), implosion or deconstruction.
- Include a step-by-step sequence of the work and equipment required.
- Identify who is responsible for each part of the project.
- Set start and completion dates.
- Detail the site-safety strategy.
- Include all temporary safety structures, required PPE, emergency response procedures and ways to manage dust, noise and vibration during the job.
- Explain how debris will be sorted and disposed of, and note where waste will be taken.
3. Secure All Permits
With your demolition plan in hand, start securing permits. Because the permitting process can be lengthy and include inspections, allow plenty of time for this step in the project schedule.
Permits are a critical part of the planning process for large-scale projects. They ensure the demolition meets all legal, safety and environmental requirements and building codes. Permits also address debris disposal and site safety measures.
Inspections are often required to identify hazardous materials and confirm utility disconnections. Once the demolition is complete, a final inspection is needed to close out the permit officially.
- Pro Tip: If no permit is required for hazardous material removal, you can proceed with the next step while securing other permits.
4. Remove Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials must be cleared from the site before demolition begins. Certain substances, like asbestos, can pose serious health and environmental risks when exposed to air, so they need to be removed first.
- Pro Tip: Hire a professional for asbestos removal, or for removal of lead paint and other dangerous chemicals. They know how to safely handle these materials, which will help minimize the risk of costly delays or accidents.
5. Prepare the Site for Maximum Safety
Once the hazardous materials are removed, continue preparing the site for a safe demolition. It’s your responsibility to set up the site in a way that protects workers, nearby buildings and the public.
Safety Checklist:
- Install temporary barriers and clear warning signs around the site to prevent unauthorized access.
- Make sure all utilities are properly disconnected and verified.
- Remove and safely store all non-essential flammable materials, like fuel, oil, timber and wood, away from the demolition site.
- Make sure pathways are clear and properly prepared for heavy machinery.
- Inspect all equipment to confirm it is in safe working order.
- Make sure first aid stations and fire extinguishers are easy to access.
- Ensure all workers wear appropriate PPE and know the emergency response plans for incidents like fire, structural collapse or chemical exposure.
- Provide equipment safety training for all operators and those working near heavy equipment.
6. Begin Demolition
It’s time to put your building demolition plan into action! Follow the planned sequence to demolish the building safely and efficiently.
For example, begin by removing non-structural elements like windows, doors and interior walls. Then take down the roof and upper floors. Next, carefully dismantle load-bearing walls, beams and—finally—the foundation. Backhoe loaders and dozers are important parts of a mechanical demolition. Use this equipment to push, pull and break apart heavy materials.
7. Dispose of Waste and Debris
During the demolition, sort, load and haul debris off-site for recycling or disposal to keep the process moving.
At this stage, loaders are used to pick up and load debris while dump trucks transport it to designated recycling centers, landfills or waste management centers. Mini excavators, compact track loaders and skid steers are perfect for clearing debris and leveling the ground once the site is cleared.
When the structure is completely cleared, backfill the hole with dirt or gravel, and grade the site to prepare it for future construction or use.
Rent Top-Quality Demolition Equipment from Herc Rentals
A successful commercial building demolition project starts with the right partners and the right equipment.
Renting demolition equipment from Herc Rentals gives you flexible access to exactly what you need without the large upfront costs of ownership or the hassle of long-term storage and maintenance.
We offer a wide selection of machines, from earthmovers and excavators to clean-up essentials like skid steers and dump trucks. Our top-quality fleet comes with the latest technology and a variety of attachments to help keep your operation streamlined and versatile.
Browse our selection of earthmoving equipment and trade and contractor tools today. Or contact a specialist at 888-777-2700 to get started.
