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When is Building Demolition Necessary?

Gowrie Contracts Ltd • Jan 11, 2022

There are many reasons why a building may need to be demolished. If you’re a site manager or business owner, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers of a building that needs to be removed and the indications that a building is unsafe. Because of the resources, time and money that go into buildings, demolition isn’t a decision that is made lightly. However, it is often the right decision if the building is showing any of the following signs.


Demolition is a safe and pre-planned process of tearing down a building that can no longer serve its purpose. This is often done to make way for new buildings and must be done by a professional demolition company to ensure the safe removal of the building. Once a building reaches the end of its ‘design life’ it needs to be taken down. The ‘design life’ of a building is the time period the building was designed to stand for. After this period, the building will begin to deteriorate or no longer be able to serve the purpose it was originally built for.


If you have buildings that are coming to the end of their ‘design life’, here’s how to know when it’s time to get them demolished.


The building is old

When a building is coming to the end of its lifespan, it will begin to deteriorate much faster than a new building. This means that more time and resources will need to be poured into the maintenance of the building which ends up being very costly. Even if you think the building looks good from the outside, this doesn’t mean that it is healthy on the inside. A range of problems will begin to present themselves such as plumbing and ventilation issues.


Furthermore, if the building was constructed before 2000, it may have asbestos in it which is extremely dangerous if inhaled. If this is the case, the building will need to be demolished by professionals who know how to handle asbestos. Older buildings will likely have much weaker infrastructure that makes them begin to be unsafe. If there are people living or working in an old building, it’s vital that it is checked over properly to ensure it is safe.


To increase the property value

Some people may choose to buy a cheap property because it gives the opportunity to expand and build an even more profitable building on the land. Demolishing a building and re-building a new structure can mean the property value is drastically increased. In order for the construction of new buildings to take place, the old ones will need to be removed in order to provide enough space.


While some people may think that a renovation is a practical option, it can often be more costly, particularly in the long run. It’s a good idea to weigh up the options available to you as it may be way more cost-effective to build a new building that is more energy-efficient, safer and requires less maintenance. The demolition cost may actually be much smaller than the cost to repair or restore parts of the building.


The foundation is faulty

The most important part of any building is the foundation, so if these are no longer viable, it causes a lot of issues to the structure of the building. If the foundations of a building have become weak, you’ll begin to see many other issues in the structure of the building. These may appear through cracks in the walls, sagging floors or ceilings, poor drainage or ill-fitting doors and windows. If you’ve noticed any of these issues, you may have a problem with the foundations of the building.


The foundations of a building can often become brittle over time because of general wear and tear. If you’ve started to notice any of the signs of a poor foundation, it may mean that the building will need to be torn down and replaced. This is to ensure the integrity and safety of the building in both the short and long term.


Infested with dangerous pests

There are many toxic and hazardous things that can be found in older buildings. If toxic chemicals such as asbestos, mercury, or lead are found in the building, it’s likely that the building will need to be partially or completely demolished. If hazardous materials are found on-site, you will need professionals to come and dispose of them appropriately without causing any harm to humans, wildlife or the environment before the demolition works take place.


If a building is old or has not been inhabited for a long time, it’s likely it may have become infested with pests such as rats and termites. This is particularly common in buildings where there has been no regular maintenance for several months or years. If this is the case, you will also need the assistance of an exterminator to ensure the problems can be properly and completely eradicated. In some cases, the building may need to be demolished if the chemicals or infestations have caused too much irreparable damage.


The plot is being sold

If the building is in disrepair or has been abandoned without any regular maintenance, it’s likely it will need to be demolished before it is put on the market. This is because investors are often looking for a clean slate and a building that has been left in bad condition requires more work than an empty plot does. If the demolition cost is taken out of the sale for the investor, then they will likely pay more for the plot of empty land.


Investors will prefer a cleared plot of land over a building that they will just have to demolish themselves, particularly if the developers are looking for land that they can build new property on. If the location is ideal for a range of potential developments then it is much more likely to sell for a higher price if you have already put the hard work in.


How long does construction demolition take?

If you’re considering tearing down a building on your site, you may be wondering how long demolition works will take. This will likely affect how quickly new developments can be built or how quickly you can put the plot up for sale. It will be dependent on how many other specialists you need to tackle the job. If you need asbestos specialists, exterminators or hazardous waste professionals, it will be a longer process as the demolition will need to be carried out safely.


These are the steps of a typical demolition process:


-      Surveying the building

-      Preparing a project documentation

-      Setting out safety measures

-      Removal of any hazardous materials


The next step is deciding which method of demolition will be the most effective:


-      Total Demolition - This involves the complete demolition of the building and can be done though several methods. One method is called implosion and involves using explosives to weaken and collapse the structural supports of the building.

-      Selective demolition - This is a more environmentally friendly option as it allows part of the building to be demolished while some of the interior or exterior structure remains to be rebuilt. This means some parts can be reused or recycled and reduces the amount of resources needed to build the new building.

-      Interior demolition - Similarly, internal demolition takes out the interior of a building but leaves the outer structure so that the building can be renovated to look completely different. This provides the opportunity to take out any damaged or problem areas.


Gowrie Contracts Ltd - Demolition Company in Scotland

Are you looking for building demolition in Scotland? Gowrie Contracts are an experienced and highly-acclaimed team specialising in asbestos removal, land remediation and demolition. We have over 30 years experience working with a variety of organisations. We can also provide services such as building strip-outs and reclamation to provide you with everything you need to completely transform your site.


We are committed to health and safety and ensure we provide a service that will help you feel at ease during the demolition process. Our fully trained demolition contractors are available for jobs of all sizes including commercial sites, domestic properties and more. If you need demolition services in Scotland, look no further than Gowrie Contracts. Visit our website for more information or give us a call on 01382 237854.

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