Category: Deery News

Associated Responsibilities

While all demolition work will have certain unique features. The demolition company or contractor responsible for any work will advise that a demolition notice is usually the start of a formal process. For instance, the local authority will also want confirmation that the occupiers of neighbouring properties have been informed; that any utility companies supplying gas, electricity and/or water to the building have been properly notified; and will also require details of how any on-site drainage facilities will be properly sealed once the work has been completed.

Beyond these standard commitments, further special permissions may well be necessary in some circumstances.

For example, if the property in question has listed building status, is located within a designated National Park or similar conservation area, or if the demolition itself will involve the removal of hazardous materials such as asbestos or chemicals (which would require a different form of demolition survey).

Requests for Additional Work

As already implied, applying for a demolition notice can often be a time-consuming process. Another issue which can slow things down is the local authority may see fit to serve a Section 81 Notice asking for additional work to be completed. This often occurs when the responsible authority deems it necessary to specify certain safeguarding measures which must be put in place for the demolition to go ahead.

For example:

– ensuring any damage to neighbouring buildings will be adequately repaired upon completion;
– specifying certain public-safety measures which must apply throughout the building demolition;
– creating a schedule of weatherproofing and other measures necessary to ensure neighbouring properties are adequately protected during the proposed work;
– insisting upon detailed information about arrangements for the disconnection of utilities;
– any further steps considered necessary for public safety, and to guarantee the preservation of any public amenities considered at risk during the demolition.

Demolition Notice Costs

Local authorities set their own fees for these notices, though most will charge a fee of £150 and perhaps considerably more, generally all paid in advance, so it’s best to consult locally for the relevant information.

The most sensible option is to approach an experienced demolition contractor who operates in your local area. Experience professional demolition companies will be able to offer detailed advice based on the type of building you propose to have demolished and the area in which it is located.

Local demolition contractors will also be able to give you an advance warning and advice of any difficulties which may arise during the process.

Regardless of the process, the company you consult with should still be able to supply a detailed demolition quote for all the proposed changes you wish to make.

The Local Authority Counter Notice

All local authorities have wide-ranging responsibilities to ensure demolition companies operates as the law requires when carrying out any demolition task. For that reason, the Building Act (1984) empowers them to issue what is known as a Section 81 Counter Notice requesting certain work to be undertaken as a pre-condition for demolition approval.

In fact, any request for demolition approval quite commonly triggers a counter-notice response, in effect, a kind of ‘qualified approval’. Such counter notice stipulations could include work involving:

– shoring up and weatherproofing adjoining buildings;
– repairing any damage to adjacent properties on completion;
– site clearance and rubbish removal;
– disconnecting utilities and sealing drains;
– site set ups specifically designed to protect the public and preserve public amenities.

If you request a demolition quote from a professional firm of experienced demolition specialists, you can expect them to advise you on all the permissions required, in most instances they will act on your behalf to complete the required paperwork.

Demolition can proceed after six weeks if the local authority doesn’t issue a Section 81 Notice. If you receive a counter-notice, building control officers will visit the demolition site regularly for inspection.

Apart from checking if you comply with the conditions imposed, they also ensure you maintain the health and safety requirements. If you demolish a house without filing a notice for demolition, it could result in a conviction and a fine. Besides, neighbours can take legal action if demolition causes a nuisance. The demolition process is also subject to statutory requirements like the Planning Act 1990, Town and County Planning Act and Health and Safety at Work Act.

UK Demolition laws stipulate the guidelines for demolishing a building without causing disruptions. Sometimes, understanding the permissions and legal requirements is challenging, but you can request a demolition company advise you on the whole demolition process.

Get yourself a few demolition quotes to ensure you understand the full range of services that are on offer to you.

What methods of demolition are there?

Total Demolition Service

Which means the complete breaking down of a building or structure to the ground. This type of demolition is particularly common in the restructuring of a community, for example, the demolition of an old building that is no longer in use so that the land can be repurposed to a housing estate that would be beneficial to the whole community.

Selective Demolition

This method of demolition involves the removal of parts of the building while some of it remains in place. Listed buildings often undergo this type of demolition process. Listed buildings come with restrictions on what, and how much of the property you can remove. One common reason for selective demolition is to take away an old section of a building to renovate or repurpose it. Taking a section of a building, demolishing it, and building it from scratch could not only save you some money, but it will also exponentially add value to the whole building.

Interior Demolition

Removing the inside of a building while maintaining and protecting the exterior structure. A good example of this type of demolition includes the removal of pillars, walls, partitions, and ceilings. Interior demolition or strip out work, wonders in the creation of additional space inside by removing sections of the property you no longer require.

Deconstruction or Dismantling Service

Deconstruction, unlike house demolition for example involves the precise and careful dismantling of a structure or building so these parts may be preserved for recycling, refurbishing, or reuse. Unlike the aforementioned types and methods of demolition, this process is very labour intensive and requires more job sheet time.

Explosive Demolition Service

This method of demolition requires a lot of skill and is only offered by the very best industrial and commercial demolition contractors in the business. It involves the use of real explosives to bring down large structures like chimneys or high-rises and large buildings. Explosive demolition targets the strongest parts of the building’s foundation, these are the structural support pillars so that the building comes down in a controlled manner.

Before starting the demolition process, you may need to start by liaising with the local authorities to discuss your building work requirements, like taking care of drainage lines or any other precautions that must be taken to ensure the safety of surrounding buildings.

It is extremely important to have the building surveyed prior to demolition as this will give the demolition contractor a good understanding of the risks that may be associated with the job in hand.

Finally, it is vital for all the people taking part in the demolition to abide by all the health and safety rules, procedures, plus building regulations prior to beginning the demolition work.

In addition, it’s not unusual for unsuspected hazardous substances to be uncovered during demolition work. Dangerous chemicals give off fumes, and some exotic hardwoods can cause nasty symptoms when handled and/or if the dust is inhaled. If asbestos should be found on site, then a special license will be required to cover its safe removal and disposal.

All such tasks require great care and expertise. Most will also demand special protective clothing and perhaps generate costly charges for waste disposal – all of which a careful demolition contractor should have discovered during an initial survey and brought to your attention from the outset.

Get to know your contractors early and go with those who, according to your research, really know what they are doing. It’s wise to ask questions, explore track records and check feedback from previous customers. It’s equally important to clarify final figures for the job, understand important terms and conditions, and know when payment is expected.

Most properly accredited demolition contractors will not expect any payment up front – and if they do, you should clarify what exceptional expense this is intended to cover.

Other factors that can affect demolition costs. Size and type of property affect the cost of demolition work to be carried out. Naturally, demolishing a four storey building will cost more than knocking down a two bedroom bungalow. The property type can also increase prices due to the complexity of the demolition process. For instance, tearing down a terraced house is costly due to the multiple considerations before demolition. The contractor will need to consider and plan for the attached houses and the proximity to the street. They will also consider other structures within the compound when determining final costs. If necessary, things like fences, shades and swimming pools will be factored into the quotation. If accessibility to the property is a problem, the company will also consider this.

The location of the property influences the demolition quote, for example in larger cities, demolition contractors may charge more based on the higher cost of living in the area and acceptable rates of competitors. Often the demolition method required to bring down a building or structure also affects the overall price. Hand demolition, explosion and top-down demolition all have different price bands.

When budgeting for demolition work, talk to the local planning office to determine the special permissions you may need. You will most certainly need to consult with your neighbours when demolishing terraced houses and semi-detached buildings.

Before deciding on the demolition company to carry out the work, shop around to ensure you get the very best at a competitive price.

Initial plans for the site’s renovation had included the tower as a symbol of its historic past, but once the true costs of maintaining the structure were revealed, some local leaders viewed this as a waste of money when compared with the site’s potential overhaul and redevelopment.

Professional demolition work of such disused towers is always controversial, with strong and passionate arguments coming on both sides – while some residents may regard these symbols of Britain’s industrial heritage as eyesores or in need of removal, others point to their iconic designs and that they should be preserved as a reminder and tribute to those men and women who strived hard throughout their lives to generate jobs and wealth for the region.

Historic Buildings Demolition Process

When a building’s life span ends it can be deemed a safety hazard, so demolishing it can be a beneficial process. Before any work starts, the appointed demolition contractor must conduct a structural survey and acquire the relevant permissions from local authorities. This survey determines construction materials, as well as hazardous substances in the building, drainage conditions, and shared facilities.

Demolition companies must also assess the level of pollution that the work will cause. Neighbourhoods can be sensitive to dust, noise and vibration caused by the demolition process.

Structural surveys will reveal the methods of construction, structural systems like underground tanks or vaults, and the general condition of the building. If the historic building contains asbestos, petroleum contamination or radioactive substances, the contractor must remove them before any doing any demolition work.

A building survey before demolition also determines the distance of adjacent buildings and helps contractors create a sequence of dismantling. After the survey, the hazards specialists will remove the toxic substances, and the contractor can brief workers on potential hazards and safety measures. Regardless of whether the demolition company chooses to use explosive or non-explosive methods for residential demolition, they still need to control pollution levels.

Conclusion

Before finding a demolition contractor, you should check if the building has historical significance with the relevant historic preservation communities. Getting approval to demolish landmark buildings can be a drawn out process.

You may also need special planning permission and specific requirements to destroy a landmark building. The National Register of Historic Places can help you determine the historical value of an old building.

There is also a question of sustainability and challenges in the new “green economy”. The environmental impact that a large demolition company can have when destroying existing concrete structures can be huge, especially when some centres cannot be repurposed, or their materials reused for new development.

The loss of so many of the nation’s long-standing retail venues will be an ongoing challenge and the effects will resonate for decades to come. It remains to be seen whether towns and cities can successfully repackage and regenerate their economies by investment in new leisure, business, or housing stock.

Report Poor Work to Site Management

Staff should report any bad practices immediately to site management. Though it is not uncommon for minor incidents or accidents to occur while on a construction or demolition site, workers should still report them through the appropriate channels. It is better to get ahead of any potential danger waiting to happen rather than let work continue with poor safety practices.

Demolition Safety Conclusion

Like in any other profession, demolition work can be dangerous if not carried by a professional company and done safely. All workers should take certain precautions to stay safe on the job. By following the rules and regulation, staff will be ready for whatever comes their way during a job.