Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Second Story Site
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Demolition of the Georgia Dome?
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/new-stadium-plan-retractable-1425916.html
Is this what is destined for the Georgia Dome? Couldn't they re-use the Dome as a movie studio? I'll try and remember to email City Council members with the suggestion!
Is this what is destined for the Georgia Dome? Couldn't they re-use the Dome as a movie studio? I'll try and remember to email City Council members with the suggestion!
Southern Demolition and Environmental Staff probs and potholes prior to digging and demolition project at site outside Atlanta in Austell, Georgia
The following is from the Georgia 811 Utility Protections Center, Inc website:
What is the tolerance zone?
The tolerance, or buffer zone, extends two feet on either side of the outer edge of the facility. Please try not dig within the tolerance zone. However, if you have to dig within the buffer zone, follow these guidelines:
• Do not use picks or mattocks.
• When using a shovel, keep face of blade parallel to and pointing away from the "flag line."
• When using posthole diggers, keep the opening between blades pointing in the same direction as the utility lines.
• In hard compacted soils, pothole to the side of the locate marks and collapse the soil into the hole while digging towards the marks.
Here is a sample tolerance zone diagram:
Friday, January 13, 2012
Don't Forget: "Call Before You Dig"
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/.
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/.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Atlanta's New LIFECYCLE BUILDING CENTER
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/
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/
Friday, October 21, 2011
Demo For a Cure
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.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Austell Flooded Homes Come Down
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!
http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Austell-Gas-Flooded-Houses-Come-Down/17075/
See us in action!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Surreal Demolition
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
New Reycling Drop-Off Site for DeKalb County
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
More Good News For Southern Demolition and Environmental!
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.)
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.)
Friday, December 31, 2010
WSB-TV Story of Fire on Oliver St Hightlights need to change Atlanta demolition permit procedures
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Industry News
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.
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.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Conduct Pre-Demolition Inspection
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
- 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
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Contact Erosion Control Company
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
- 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
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Identify Components for Recycling
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.
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
- 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
Friday, June 25, 2010
Submit Paperwork to Georgia Environmental Protection
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
Monday, June 21, 2010
Contact Utilities for Disconnection
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
- 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
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Hazardous Material Inspections
Get inspected for asbestos, wells, septic tanks, rodents and other potential hazardous situations.
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.
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
- 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
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Apply for Permits and Provide Fees
Verify the entities that might have to approve your demolition. Obtaining a demolition permit in Georgia might require contacting the following entities:
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.
- State of Georgia
- Municipality
- Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU)
- Condo or homeowner's association
- Historic preservation board
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
- 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
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Research Permits and Regulations
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
- 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
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