Construction often begins long before the concrete is poured or the framing is begun. For properties that have an existing building, other unwanted structures, unsuitable materials or unsuitable conditions, and/or significant changes in elevation, there are often requirements to do demolition and excavation work prior to doing new construction.
Working with demolition and excavation contractors that have experience with working together can help plan and implement the various site preparation activities required for a new construction project.
Capilano Earthworks Inc. provides demolition and excavation services in the Vancouver and North Shore areas for the requirements and in accordance with the construction plans for a project.
What Services Do Excavation and Demolition Contractors Provide?
Excavation and demolition contractors help prepare properties for the construction or re-development of various improved facilities.
The amount of work required depends on the existing conditions and what is planned for the site.
Some of the services provided may include:
Preparation of a site for the next phase of work, is usually the last step in the project. Not every project requires all the services mentioned. An assessment of the site and a review of the project plans will help determine the services required for the project.
Demolition for New Construction
If there is an existing building in the location of the proposed building, demolition may be one of the first major activities on a construction site.
Demolition involves much more than just taking down a building.
Planning the Work
Contractors need to analyze and understand the property, access, adjacent structures, and the limits of the demolition.
Other restrictions may also exist and need to be addressed before demo begins.
This is especially true when working in a residential area because adjacent property, fences, landscaping, and other utilities may be very close to the work area.
Handling the Demolition Waste
The waste created by the demolition must be managed and removed from the site.
The constraints of the construction schedule, available space to work, and the amount of waste created by the demolition may affect how this task is addressed.
Preparation for Excavation Can Continue
Preparation for excavation can continue after the unwanted structure and debris is removed.
Clearing the Site for Construction
Areas may need to be cleared of vegetation and other site debris to make way for construction activities.
Equipment Movement
Access for large construction equipment must be sufficient. Some property sites are large and have good access, but other sites in Vancouver, North Shore, and surrounding areas can be difficult because of surrounding structures and terrain.
Excavation and demolition contractors must assess access before the work begins to be certain the right equipment is used.
Excavation for Foundation
Excavation for the foundation can begin after the completion of all the demolition work.
Excavation should be done in accordance with the construction plans and specified elevations.
Excavation to Specified Dimensions
Excavating too much soil creates unnecessary work for the project team and excavating too little soil can make it difficult for the contractor to set the foundation. The goal is to excavate the appropriate amount of soil to create the working space needed for the next stage of the work.
Capilano Earthworks excavates to the dimensions and elevations required for the different stages of the work. They excavate in a manner to coordinate with the different trades, and excavate related to the phasing of the construction work.
Excavation for Service Trenches
The construction industry is becoming more reliant on utilities to be located underground. This creates a need for excavation to locate different underground services.
Excavation may be necessary for the following services:
The location and depth of the services will depend on the construction documents and local requirements.
Coordinating Trenching with Construction
Utility excavation must also be coordinated with the excavation required for the different construction trades. Excavating a trench at the wrong time may limit the access of other trades.
Drainage Related Excavation
Excavation is often required to manage surface water and to accommodate stormwater, foundation and other drainage systems. Water management is especially critical for projects on the North Shore and Vancouver due to the high water table and short building setbacks.
Grading the Site
Drainage and Site grades are primarily impacted by the elevation and sloping conditions of the site. Demolition and excavation can also impact site conditions. When determining the configuration of the new site, drainage should be considered.
Grading shapes the site to the elevations needed for the project. Grading can also impact driveways and the surrounding landscape. Grading may limit the access for other trades, and should be completed at the end of the project.
Working with sloped sites requires extra planning.
Capilano Earthworks provides site preparation considering the requirements of the project and the site conditions.
Hauling Excavated Material
Excavation moves a lot of soil, rock, and other materials.
Some of the material removed may be suitable for re-use on the property, or may need to be removed from the property.
Why Hauling Needs To Be Planned
Factors such as the quantity and type of the material being hauled, truck access, available space for stockpiling the material, and the method of disposal may effect the planning of material removal.
Construction scheduling also plays a role.
Planning hauling and excavation simultaneously reduces the amount of unnecessary material on the site.
Backfill and Compaction
Excavation often continues after the creation of a foundation, and to make a trench.
After the completion of an underground construction task, the area excavated may require backfilling.
The backfill material needs to be of the proper type and compacted to the required degree, in accordance to the requirements of the project.
Why Compaction Is Important
If a driveway, walkway, landscaped area, slab, or other improvement is constructed over material that has settled, the improvement may also sink or be damaged.
The settlement of a fill may also affect underwater pipes.
Backfilling and compaction of the site for a fill prepares the site for the following construction work.
Why Demolition and Excavation Need to Be Planned Together?
Excavation and demolition occur one after the other.
Planning the removal of material, access to the site, and the equipment needed to be brought on to the site is easier when planning both activities.
The demolition contractor has to know what can notcannot be removed, and the excavation contractor has to know the requirements of the final construction.
A company with experience in both excavation and demolition will be more aware of the needs during the early stages of site preparation.
What should property owners look for in a contractor?
The cost of services is always a major consideration when hiring excavation and demolition contractors; however, experience in similar projects should also be taken into consideration.
Areas of discussion during an interview should include:
The contractor should also have a general understanding of project planning and local building regulations.
Mistakes made in demolition and excavation can put the next phases of the project behind schedule and create issues with construction access, drainage, and overall grades.
Capilano Earthworks has experience with the practical aspects of construction planning and local conditions, including site preparation, demolition, and excavation.
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