Atlanta Demolition Blog

Don't Forget: "Call Before You Dig"

2012-01-13T14:04:00.000-05:00

Before beginning any large project which requires digging in Georgia, remember to call Georgia 811, a division of the Utilities Protection Center, Inc.

Georgia Public Service Commission regulates these projects in the state, and works to minimize any destruction to public utilities. If you are planning on any digging in close proximity to homes, underground utilities or overhead high voltage power lines, you are required to call 811 to alert the utility providers of your project.

The utility providers will visit the project site to mark the utilities located within the dig site. This is to ensure that no damage is done to the conduits for these utilities.

For further information, visit http://www.georgia811.com/.

Atlanta's New LIFECYCLE BUILDING CENTER

2011-10-25T14:52:00.000-04:00

The LIFECYCLE BUILDING CENTER (LBC) is a new endeavor in Atlanta to reduce waste, provide green jobs to stimulate positive economic development and to help the general public in implementing best practice green building.

It is a collaborative effort between many local stakeholders who are interested in bettering both the natural and built environments and the green economy.

Learn more about their efforts at: http://www.lifecyclebuildingcenter.org/

Demo For a Cure

2011-10-21T16:46:00.004-04:00

Southern Demolition and "Pinky" from Volvo Rents Color For A Cause

Southern Demolition has had a working business relationship with Volvo Rents for the last few years. In addition to being a great company to work with, Volvo Rents has proven its interest in the community it serves through its Color For A Cause program.

Volvo has painted their machinery in various different colors for different community causes. Our favorite is a pink excavator that we have dubbed "Pinky."

Each time the machine is rented, Volvo Rents donates a portion of the proceeds to Susan G Komen foundation. Since January, Pinky has been rented for over $20,000 - that's over $2,000 for breast cancer research this year.

We want to help spread awareness of this generosity during October, breast cancer awareness month. We are happy to help Volvo with their donation program throughout the year and will continue to do so!

The story was covered by Construction Equipment Guide in their online magazine. Read more about it at http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Austell-Gas-Flooded-Houses-Come-Down/17075.

Austell Flooded Homes Come Down

2011-10-15T21:34:00.001-04:00

Austell's first use of FEMA grant for the flood of September, 2009.

http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Austell-Gas-Flooded-Houses-Come-Down/17075/

See us in action!

Surreal Demolition

2011-10-11T01:13:00.000-04:00

There is something peaceful about this, in a surreal way. This was taken mid-demo and I found it today when I was going through some of my photos. I had something happen today that has never happened before (to my knowledge). I found one of my photos on another Atlanta area demolition contractor's website. I'm pretty furious that someone would take such liberties in stealing images that are pretty standard to get yourself if you are in the demolition business.

New Reycling Drop-Off Site for DeKalb County

2011-07-19T16:55:00.000-04:00

A new recycling center for DeKalb residents recently opened at 3643 Camp Circle in Decatur. This is the county's second permanent site to recycle old electronic items.

They will accept any number of electronic items, including stereos, microwaves, fax machines, CDs, cameras and cell phones just to name a few.

Put your old electronics to good re-use and keep them out of the landfill!

For more information, visit http://www.keepdekalbbeautiful.org/ or call 404-371-2654.

More Good News For Southern Demolition and Environmental!

2011-05-18T12:29:00.000-04:00

Our President and company founder Gina Ragsdale was featured in the Business Section of the Sunday, May 1st edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution!

As a woman-owned business in a male dominated field, Gina and Southern Demolition face many challenges. As this article demonstrates, Gina has implemented worthwhile and profitable ideas in her business, and continues to succeed in a challenging economy.

Here is the article:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
May 1, 2011
Nell Merlino

I speak all over the country encouraging women to stand on their own and take control of their financial potential.

I've been doing this for a long time, but I still meet women who don't believe they need to grow their businesses, who think staying at $50,000 or $100,000 in revenues is good enough.

As much as I can try to convince them otherwise, they still don't get it. So I want to introduce them to some of these incredible women.

Gina Cambardella Ragsdale, the founder and president of Southern Demolition and Environmental, is right here in Atlanta. Not only is she a woman in a male-dominated industry -- her company provides green services in demolition, asbestos inspections, asbestos abatement and removal, deconstruction, brick salvage, architectural salvage and recycling -- she's also a wife and mother of a toddler (baby No. 2 is due in June).

Shortly after launching in March 2007, her husband quit his job to work with his wife full-time. Since its inception, the company has been profitable every year, and revenues continue to increase annually.

They have to.

"Insurance companies base the credibility of your company on revenues and revenue growth -- maybe more so than on profitability," explains Ragsdale, 36, who was selling real estate and teaching special education before starting her company.

And, of course, there is also this: "We won't eat if we don't make money," she says bluntly. "We have to maintain a certain level of income, which is directly tied to profitability. A lot of people go to work and get a paycheck and it doesn't matter if their company is being profitable that week or not. I have to be profitable every week, or I'm borrowing money to live."

Ragsdale is just one of an estimated 8.1 million women who are business owners in this country, who generate nearly $1.3 trillion in revenues and employ 7.7 million Americans, according to the recently released American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, which is based on the latest U.S. census data.

Georgia, it turns out, has had the fastest growth in the number of women-owned firms during the past 14 years, at 97.5 percent.

What's more, the American Express report found women-owned businesses continue to diversify in all industries, with the fastest growth coming in construction (up 41 percent), administrative and waste services (up 47 percent), and education services (up 54 percent).

On the face of it, that's pretty amazing. But if you delve deeper, the numbers become a little less impressive. Although most women-owned businesses initially surpass those owned by men in growth rate in revenue and employment, the bulk of them burn out when they reach 100 employees and $1 million in revenues mark. Then they drop below national averages in both revenues and employees.

There are still too many women out there who approach those thresholds and suddenly think "I shouldn't" or "I can't," doubting their professional capacity or their ability to balance work and family.

Women need to embrace having a mindset of success fueled by personal and professional growth. We need to look to role models like Victoria Campos, who had a strong desire to grow her immigration and family law practice in Long Island, N.Y., but couldn't envision doing so while raising four children.

Instead of continuing to drive herself crazy, Campos sought help.

"I learned I could be both an active mother and a successful head of a company," she says. In two years, her revenues have grown from $191,000 to nearly $500,000.

We also need to recognize that just 25 percent of all women-owned businesses in the U.S. have annual revenues of more than $50,000.

Let's face it: If that's your annual take-home pay, chances are you're going to have a pretty tough time surviving.

Recent statistics from Wider Opportunities for Women, a national organization that works to achieve economic independence for women and their families, found that single workers need $30,012 a year -- nearly twice the federal minimum wage -- to cover basic expenses. Single parents require nearly twice the income ($57,756) to support two children (an hourly wage of $27.35), while dual-income households with children require $67,920.

Failure to access affordable capital, failure to access markets, and segregation from mainstream business development and leadership contribute to the failure of women's businesses to achieve acceptable market share growth, says the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce.

But there's also something deeper going on: Women don't believe they can do it themselves.

Sure, women may have come a long way, but they're still slow to believe that they alone can provide for their safety and security. They usually only believe it when disaster strikes in the form of, say, an unexpected divorce or death and suddenly they're forced to be breadwinner.

Leah Brown started her pharmaceutical testing company, A10 Clinical Solutions in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., after she was laid off from her job at a health care consulting firm.

"I had spent my whole life trying to be the best employee," she says. "I started my own business so that I would have control over my destiny. I didn't want to rely on anyone else. Period."

This year, Brown said she expects to reach $30 million in annual revenues.

The candor of these women is dead-on: Female business owners must work toward revenue growth. They have to. It is, quite literally, a matter of survival.

(Nell Merlino is the founder and president of Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence.)

WSB-TV Story of Fire on Oliver St Hightlights need to change Atlanta demolition permit procedures

2010-12-31T07:39:00.001-05:00

I watched this story regarding a bank owned house fire in Vine City on WSB-TV this morning with great interest:

http://bcove.me/saeg6uit

The sheer number of such houses - vacant, unoccupied, in disrepair is staggering. I have witnessed this cycle - and to be brief it goes like this:

Bank ends up with house from foreclosure or Investor purchased 'investment' house years ago with the aim of obtaining rent/appreciation.
Over years, market for qualified renters becomes slim.
Investor/bank deals with thefts of copper, air conditioning and heat units, wiring, etc.
Now house definatly not rentable and investor/banker required to board up house.
Boarded up house gets broken into over and over by vagrants. Drug use, prostitution, illegal residency (no power and water services, mind you) and house becomes completely trashed.
Investor/banker calls my company to obtain demolition permit to erase this potential liability prone structure from the lot.
Demolition permit denied by the city of Atlanta.
House continued to be occupied by vagrants.
House burns down.

Why does the city deny these permits? Please look at link- which is a portion of the demolition application.http://www.atlantaga.gov/client_resources/government/planning/applications/demolition.pdf

The city will grant a permit if you provide either:

1.) A site plan stating you will build back a structure

2.) A letter from code enforcement stating the structure is 51% or more deteriorated.

I have seen these houses over and over again be rejected for the letter from code enforcement. It forces the investor to signature verify that he/she will build back a property in its place (just to have the mechanicals stolen again?) and that the razing of the structure will not cause "open space".
From my understading, this Dept. of Planning procedure is in effect, trying to deter demolition of real property due to the loss of the tax on the real property (which of course is more than the tax on a vacant parcel).

The danger to public health is so high with this procedure. The big picture is being missed here - and responsible investors/owners/bankers are at a loss as to how to proceed.

Industry News

2010-10-26T12:13:00.000-04:00

In partnership with the National Demolition Association, Purdue University Press has released a new demolition textbook for those both in and aspiring to the demolition field.

The book, Demolition: Practices, Technology and Management, was written by Richard J Diven, a 40-year demolition vet with ICONCO and RJ Diven Consulting, LLC and Mark Shaurette, an assistant professor in Building Construction Management at Purdue University.

The topics covered in the book include modern demolition practices and regulations, estimating and contracts, safety, typical demolition equipment, debris handling and recycling, use of explosives, disaster response, and demolition project management.

Michael Taylor, executive director of the National Demolition Association (NDA), speaks highly of the book. “This is the first systematic presentation of means and methods that define exactly what modern demolition contractors do,” he says. The Association is offering the book for free with new membership.

To purchase the textbook, visit the Purdue University Press website at http://www.thepress.purdue.edu/ or the NDA website at www.demolitionassociation.com.

Conduct Pre-Demolition Inspection

2010-07-08T17:05:00.001-04:00

Conduct a pre-demolition inspection with a government inspector, if applicable to your jurisdiction. Prior to the inspection, you will typically post a copy of the site plan to scale on the property with the permit. Inspectors often ensure that erosion control fencing and tree save fencing are installed appropriately, asbestos has been properly removed and the house is properly secured prior to demolition.

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Contact Erosion Control Company

2010-07-06T08:00:00.004-04:00

Local regulations may require contacting an erosion control company to ensure compliance. Erosion control involves services including the following.

Silt fence installation
Tree protection fences
Seeding
Straw distribution
Slope matting
Storm drain inlet protection

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Identify Components for Recycling

2010-06-29T08:00:00.004-04:00

As part of your demolition, you should identify components that can be diverted from the landfill--to be recycled, repurposed, or deconstructed.

Deconstruction is a relatively new approach to demolition that minimizes materials going to landfills. It involves removing materials by type of material and putting them aside for reuse or recycling. With rising labor costs, this method may not be as cost-efficient as traditional demolition, however it is more environmentally sound and sustainable, long-term.

A routine single family dwelling might yield the following materials that are suitable for recycling or reuse.

Antique bricks
Historic doors
Aluminum siding and gutters
Copper tubing
Flooring
Architectural elements
Landscape items
Concrete

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Submit Paperwork to Georgia Environmental Protection

2010-06-25T08:00:00.004-04:00

Your demolition may require submittal of a Project Notification Form to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. If the demo involves asbestos, notification must take place prior to asbestos removal. Normally, there is a ten business day waiting period required prior to handling asbestos or wrecking.

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Allow Time for Permits
Find an Insured Demolition Company
Research Permits & Regulations
Apply for Permits & Provide Fees
Hazardous Material Inspections
Contact Utilities for Disconnection
Submit Paperwork to Georgia Environmental Protection
Identify Components for Recycling
Contact Erosion Control Company
Conduct Pre-Demolition Inspection

Contact Utilities for Disconnection

2010-06-21T08:00:00.005-04:00

Various utilities must be contacted to properly disconnect service from the structure to be demolished. Municipalities often require that you provide verification in writing that each utility has been disconnected, including:

Electricity
Gas
Water and sewer
Telephone
Cable
Other

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Hazardous Material Inspections

2010-06-17T08:00:00.006-04:00

Get inspected for asbestos, wells, septic tanks, rodents and other potential hazardous situations.

Asbestos Removal

Older homes typically include asbestos in flooring products, HVAC ductwork, shingles, pipe insulation, exterior siding and floor tiles. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it gets disturbed during a demolition. Due to the size and it’s physical characteristics, asbestos fibers may become trapped in the lungs, causing inflammation over time. This can lead to breathing problems and increase the risk of asbestosis and various types of lung cancer.

Our accredited inspectors can determine if asbestos is present in your home. In planning a demolition, renovation or are suspicious of a product in your home, contact our inspectors to arrange and inspection. If asbestos does exist in a house that is scheduled for demolition, it most likely needs to be removed by a licensed asbestos abatement company. Companies like Southern Demolition and Environmental know how to minimize airborne fibers to reduce risk to you and your neighbors. In addition, measure are taken to ensure adherence to the Georgia Solid Waste Act.

Other Hazardous Materials

Many houses build before 1978 contain lead-based paint. Before demolishing a house with a septic tank, you must remove or fill the tank to avoid a health hazard. Also, you should have your house inspected for rodents prior to demolition.

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Apply for Permits and Provide Fees

2010-06-13T08:00:00.007-04:00

Verify the entities that might have to approve your demolition. Obtaining a demolition permit in Georgia might require contacting the following entities:

State of Georgia
Municipality
Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU)
Condo or homeowner's association
Historic preservation board

For each relevant entity, you must apply for a permit and provide fees and bonds, if applicable.

Within the metro Atlanta area, municipalities often require having a registered surveyor or engineer prepare a site plan that indicates the building or house to be demolished, accessory structures, the septic tank (if any), trees to be removed, trees to be protected, erosion control measures and tree save fencing. Often, site plan reviewers will add notations that need to be added to the site plan for approval. Our relationships with our surveyors and engineers allow us to obtain a survey quickly and cost effectively.

When Southern Demolition and Environmental secures a demolition permit for a homeowner, builder or investor, we act as expeditiously as possible to engage the vendors required to make submission of application as seamless as possible. Turnaround times for various permit offices vary. Some permit offices, such as Cobb County, City of Lawrenceville and Fulton County can process demolition permits in as little as one day. Other permit offices, such as City of Sandy Springs, City of East Point, DeKalb County, Athens-Clarke County and City of Atlanta can take substantially more time and have more stringent requirements relative to the demolition permit application.

The City of Atlanta routes demolition applications and site plans through Site Development, in addition to the Planning Department, Arborist and Zoning (thus, the cost for demolition permit has increased). Before Nov 1st, 2009, one could get a demolition permit in one day. Now the turnaround time for approval can be as much as 10 business days - or more. It is important to submit multiple copies of site plans (nine are currently required, but have more prepared to be on the safe side). Also, be aware that the Department of Planning is not open to the public five days a week. Check with their schedule before planning to apply for the permit. They do take appointments, however, and it is recommended to make one in advance, should you seek to speak to a city planner.

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Research Permits and Regulations

2010-06-09T08:00:00.006-04:00

Research required permits and regulations. Determine if your address requires applying for a haul route. Determine if the permit will require a Demolition Site Plan to be submitted with the permit application.

If your building is covered by a condo or homeowner's association, you will have to earn approval of that entity as well. Some homeowner's associations have restrictions on the hours during which demolitions may take place. Others prohibit the placement of dumpsters on site, and that means more expensive disposal on a daily basis.

If your building is located in a historic district, you may require the approval of a historic preservation board.

Homeowners have been fined hundreds of dollars for demolishing a house without a permit.

If you hire a demolition company, you should include the demolition permit cost in your contract.

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Find an Insured Demolition Company

2010-06-05T08:00:00.004-04:00

Sign a written contract with an insured demolition company. Ask to see proof of any relevant insurance documents and certifications. In addition to being underwritten by a top rated insurance carrier, Southern Demolition and Environmental has earned the following certifications and licenses.

Certifications

DBE – Georgia Department of Transportation
DBE – MARTA
FBE – Fulton County
FBE – City of Atlanta
CCR – Registered Contractor

Licenses

Licensed Georgia Asbestos Abatement Contractor
City of Atlanta Business License
AHERA Accredited Asbestos Inspectors
Licensed Asbestos Abatement Supervisors
OSHA Competent Operators

Familiarity with Local Codes

The National Building Code provides guidelines for demolitions, but many local municipalities have their own code. Ensure you find a contractor familiar with local regulations.

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Allow Time for Permits

2010-06-01T08:00:00.008-04:00

Allow enough time for permits and compliance with regulatory agencies. Obtaining a demolition permit in Georgia might require contacting the following entities:

State of Georgia
Municipality
Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU)
Condo or homeowner's association
Historic preservation board

Each of these associations has its own rules and procedures.

City and County demolition permits can take anywhere from one hour to one month or longer for plan review and for issuance. Some municipalities require pre and/or post inspections to finalize the permit. In addition, the EPD requires a 10 business day notification prior to demolition.

This post is one in a series.

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

2010-05-28T16:30:00.007-04:00

Demolishing a single family dwelling can take only a day or two with the right expertise and equipment.

When most people think of "demolition," they conjure up images of a giant wrecking ball taking down an office tower. However, many demo jobs simply involve tearing down a single family house, a dilapidated detached garage, or similar structure.

People demolish houses for any number of reasons, including:

Obsolescence – the house is no longer viable as a dwelling
Financial - removing the house could make the land more attractive for potential resale and/or reduce the owner’s property tax liability and liability
Development – builders, developers, and owners build speculative homes or custom homes on land that is currently occupied with a dwelling
Condemnation – The local Code Enforcement Agency may be levying fines against you for a dilapidated dwelling.

Southern Demolition and Environmental has demolished hundreds of structures. We distilled our years of experience into this series, Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House, designed to help you understand the components and scope of a demolition project. Utilize this scope in comparing bids, questioning contractors, and ensuring that your project is completed professionally.

If you do choose to select a demolition professional to complete your demolition project, we hope you'll consider hiring Southern Demolition and Environmental. We will take these 10 steps and reduce them to one decision – the selection of our organization for turnkey demolition services.

We will post a new tip every four days over the next month. Check back for more updates!

Top 10 Tips for Demolishing a House

Allow Time for Permits (June 1)
Find an Insured Demolition Company (June 5)
Research Permits & Regulations (June 9)
Apply for Permits & Provide Fees (June 13)
Hazardous Material Inspections (June 17)
Contact Utilities for Disconnection (June 21)
Submit Paperwork to Georgia Environmental Protection (June 25)
Identify Components for Recycling (June 29)
Contact Erosion Control Company (July 6)
Conduct Pre-Demolition Inspection (July 10)

The City of Blight remains........

2010-04-08T03:13:00.001-04:00

This link is to an article, the "City of Blight", which recently appeared in The Creative Loafing:
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/city_of_blight/Content?oid=1407087

The article further refers to an organization known as the "Dirty Truth". Check out the website at http://www.dirytruth.org/. There are some staggering statistics relative to NPU-V - neighborhoods including Summerhill, Peoplestown, Adair Park, and Pittsburg. According to the website, in 2007, there were 1296 vacant or unoccupied lots in NPU-V, which represented 42% of all properties.

Neither source names demolition as an answer to fighting some of these properties that are blighted, vacant, and harboring illegal activities.  Many of these homes are antiquated, obsolete, and "not worth" rehab (in my humble opinion). The lack of energy efficiency, electrical issues, plumbing issues, and structural integrity make some properties so costly to rehab and retrofit, it would seem that constructing new would be more practical. However, this doesn't seem like the most reasonable alternative.

Why don't city planners look at the long term ramifications of perpetuating the ideal of "single family residential" houses in neighborhoods that can't stabilize them from within? Why are we having to pour federal tax dollars into the "Neighborhood Stabilization Program" which repairs and renovates some of these obsolete structures? Wouldn't anyone interested in urban planning see the benefits of promoting multifamily options in these neighborhoods of blight? These neighborhoods are in such close proximity to downtown Atlanta - why not encourage demolition, the creation of green spaces and attract developers that can offer housing options more reflective of new urbanistic characteristics.

At the very least, the city of Atlanta should permit owners of these properties the ability to demolish their own properties. Currently, unless the owner submits plans and has the intention to rebuild a single family residence, the owner will be denied a demolition permit.  Only if the Department of Code Compliance issues a letter stating that the structure is over 51% deteriorated, can an owner raze his property without having to rebuild in its place.

One street that particularly stands out in my mind is Spencer Street off of Lowery Blvd. Check it out. Based on my drive-by experiences, it appeared that approximately 75% of the houses were boarded, vacant and/or extensively fire damaged. Even the church at the corner was boarded up! What a sight to see.  In my mind, I see acres of green space where eventually an environmentally responsible developer can see potential for offering clean, safe, efficient housing, within choice proximity to our city.

The above photo is an example of an obsolete, boarded up, not-so-vacant house in Southwest Atlanta on Cohen Street. Moments before the photo was taken, people were seen coming and going from the door. I didn't think anything of it, until I realized that all the windows were boarded up. If I was the owner, and I wanted to demolish this house, and Code Enforcement wouldn't deem it 51% deteriorated, and I didn't have plans to rebuild a single family house on the parcel, I would not be issued a permit to demolish it!

Help! I need to get a demolition permit.........Tips and Advice

2010-01-08T17:08:00.000-05:00

Whether you are obtaining a demolition permit in the City of Atlanta, City of Sandy Springs, or elsewhere in the metro Atlanta area, it is often a requirement to have a registered surveyor prepare a site plan that indicates the building or house to be demolished, accessory structures, the septic tank (if any), trees to be removed, trees to be protected, erosion control measures, and tree save fencing. Often, site plan reviewers will add notations that need to be added to the site plan for approval. Our relationships with our surveyors allow us to obtain a survey quickly, and cost effectively.

When Southern Demolition and Environmental secures a demolition permit for a homeowner, builder or investor, we act as expeditiously as possible to engage the vendors required to make submission of application as seamless as possible. Turnaround times for various permit offices vary. Some permit offices, such as Cobb County, City of Lawrenceville, and Fulton County can process demolition permits in as little as one day. Other permit offices, such as City of Sandy Springs, City of East Point, Dekalb County Athens-Clarke County and City of Atlanta can take substantially more time and have more stringent requirements.

The City of Atlanta now sends demolition applications and site plans through Site Development, in addition to the Planning Department, Arborist and Zoning (thus, the cost for demolition permit has increased). Before Nov 1st, 2009, one could get a demolition permit in one day. Now the turnaround time for approval can be as much as 10 business days - or more. It is important to submit multiple copies of site plans (nine are currently required, but have more prepared to be on the safe side). Also, be aware that the Department of Planning is not open to the public five days a week. Check with their schedule before planning to apply for the permit. They do take appointments, however, and it is recommended to make one in advance, should you seek to speak to a city planner.

If your property is cited by the code enforcement agency of your jurisdiction, and you are required to demolish your property, please contact the qualified personnel at Southern Demolition and Environmental at 404-931-1173. Our expertise in permit acquisition has saved our clients thousands of dollars in potential fines from code enforcement agencies.

Claw Foot Tubs For Sale?

2009-09-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

I have a client that would like to sell five antique claw foot tubs. He is in the Atlanta area. The Deconstructed House has not had any inquiries for these items, but I'm sure there is a market for these. I have used one in the past as a garden planter, and because it was missing one of it's feet, it angled towards the street, making a nice visual of the flowers.

Contact me at info@southerndemo.com if you are in the Atlanta area and interested in one or more of these tubs.

When getting bids for a residential demolition project make sure you......

2009-09-17T17:42:00.000-04:00

When one is considering hiring a demolition services company in and around Atlanta, one should make sure that the contractor fills in any voids and leaves the site in a safe condition. If not, the lot could become home to mosquitos and even worse, snakes........This vacant lot is now a problem in that the contractor did not appropriately backfill, seed and straw the affected area. Ensure that when you are comparing competitive quotes, that your contractor includes this language in the bid. Here is a link to the story:

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/20930524/detail.html

All In A Day's Work

2009-09-10T23:47:00.000-04:00

The potential for 'vacant' structures to be populated by homeless people is actually very high, depending upon the area and accessibility of the structure. We didn't have any run-ins during the inspection on this particular project, but had protective measures in place should we have encountered any people. The numbers of homeless people I have seen in our city has made me realize that either there aren't enough shelters, or many people are opting to live in vacant, abandoned structures instead.

Updated Language/Requirement on City of Atlanta Demolition Permit

2009-09-10T23:28:00.000-04:00

The City of Atlanta now has language regarding asbestos on the Building Permit/Demolition Permit. There is an area where the Owner/Agent must acknowledge EPD Notification, etc, prior to issuance of Demo Permit. I will try to get a copy of the permit and post next week. They also attach information from the EPD regarding demolition and the removal of asbestos, printed by the Georgia EPD.

Atlanta Housing Projects Demolition Photos

2009-08-16T23:38:00.000-04:00

This is a link to an AJC gallery of photos of Atlanta housing projects, demolished or in the process of being demolished:

http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/metro/atlanta/atlanta-housing-projects/

I'm trying to find out the status of Bankhead Courts - projects in NW Atlanta. The property has been vacated and the bids were due last month, however, I heard that the demolition has been postponed.

New Demolition Product

2009-08-13T00:11:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Atlanta Demolition Blog, hosted by Southern Demolition and Environmental.
Here is a link to an interesting product I came across today:
http://www.dexpan.com/nonexplosivesblastingdemolition/product_dexpandemolitionagent.html. I hope I can put into application someday - it seems efficient. I don't know if there is a distributor in the Atlanta area, but I would like a demonstration.