REASONS TO DEMOLISH A BUILDING

Oftentimes, when there’s a property in question, it’s much easier to demolish it and start over rather than https://www.atlasdemolitionllc.com/ put effort into restoring it. In fact, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 homes are destined for the wrecking ball each year and hundreds more commercial buildings are demolished annually throughout the United States. So just why do buildings get demolished? In this post, we’ll take a deeper dive into the reasons why property owners, managers, and developers make the decision to take down a building. Here’s a closer look:

WHY DO BUILDINGS GET DEMOLISHED?
Let’s start by discussing just why buildings get demolished. A building may be demolished for a variety of reasons. However, typically it’s done either because it makes it easier for an owner or developer to start over or because the building has become structurally unsafe. Here’s a closer look at some of the key reasons for demolishing a building:

Owner or developer preference
If a property or lot has just been purchased, the new vision may differ from the current one. For this reason, it may make sense to demolish any existing structure to make way for new development. For example, a warehouse that just changed ownership may be demolished so that luxury apartments or residential units can be constructed.

The current structure is unsafe
This is the most common reason for building demolition: safety. If a current structure poses a safety threat to other buildings in the area or people that are working or living in the area, then it’s likely to be demolished. This is especially true if inspections indicate that the building is at risk of either partial or total collapse should it be left standing. Dated buildings that don’t meet current building codes may also be demolished, while certain materials can be salvaged and used in a new development.

The building has incurred damage
Restore or replace? While most existing properties can be restored to pre-loss condition, if a property has incurred significant fire or water damage, or if a property was damaged by a natural disaster, it may not be able to be safely sustained. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters can take its toll on a property – sometimes to the point where they become beyond repair. We’ll touch more on this point later on in this post.

Another reason why a building may require demolition is due to neglected maintenance. If a building isn’t properly maintained, the structure could weaken and a bevy of other issues may arise.