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Commercial demolition · GTA & Waterloo region
Commercial demolition, from decommissioning to a build-ready site.
Interior strip-outs, selective demolition and full building teardowns. We handle the surveys, abatement, permits and utility disconnects, take the structure down safely and leave you a clean, graded site.
Scope
What we take down
Interior strip-outs
Retail, office and restaurant units taken back to the shell: ceilings, partitions, flooring, millwork, washrooms and abandoned mechanical and electrical, with services capped safely.
Selective demolition
Removing part of a building while protecting what stays: additions, mezzanines, storefronts, canopies, loading docks, rooftop units, slab sections for new plumbing.
Full building demolition
Plazas, warehouses, office buildings, gas stations and houses on commercial lots, taken down with excavators, shears and breakers.
Foundations & site clearing
Slabs, footings, foundation walls, asphalt and underground tanks removed, then backfilled, compacted and rough-graded for the next build.
Decommissioning & compliance
Before anything comes down
Most of the risk in a demolition job is in the preparation. This is the work that keeps you compliant, keeps neighbours on side and keeps the schedule.
Designated substance survey
Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act requires the owner to identify designated substances before demolition. The survey covers asbestos, lead, mercury, silica, PCBs and other hazards, and it goes into the contractor package.
Hazardous material abatement
Asbestos removed under Ontario Regulation 278/05 by licensed abatement contractors. Mercury lamps, PCB ballasts and other hazardous waste go to licensed receivers, and refrigerants are recovered by a licensed technician. Clearance air testing is done before demolition begins.
Utility disconnects
Gas, hydro, water, sewer and telecom are disconnected and capped by the utilities and the municipality. Ontario One Call locates are completed before any digging.
Permits & notices
We file the municipal demolition permit, a Ministry of Labour Notice of Project where one is required, and tree, road-occupancy and hoarding permits where needed.
Site & neighbour protection
Fencing and hoarding, dust suppression, and work kept within noise bylaw hours. Before work starts we survey the condition of neighbouring buildings, and we monitor vibration next to occupied buildings.
Recycling & disposal
Steel, concrete, brick, asphalt and wood are sorted and recycled. Weigh tickets and disposal records come to you, which helps if you're pursuing a green-building rating on the new project.
Process
How a demolition job runs
Site walk & scope
We confirm what comes down, what stays, what's next on the site and any constraints such as shared walls, live tenants or tight access.
Surveys & paperwork
Designated substance survey, disconnect requests, permit applications and locates. You get a fixed written quote and schedule.
Make it safe
Abatement and clearance testing, utility cut-offs, then hoarding and site protection.
Demolish
Strip-out first, then the structure, then foundations. Materials are sorted for recycling as we go, and you get photo updates.
Close out
Backfill, compaction and grading, then a final walkthrough and your document package.
Close-out package
What you get at the end
Everything your lender, insurer, buyer or next contractor will ask for, in one place.
- Designated substance survey report
- Abatement close-out report and clearance air test results
- Utility disconnect confirmations
- Demolition permit and final inspection sign-off
- Waste disposal and recycling records with weigh tickets
- Before, during and after photos
- Contractor WSIB clearance and insurance certificates
- Backfill and compaction notes for the next builder
Questions
Demolition FAQ
How long does a commercial demolition take?
An interior strip-out of a typical retail or office unit is usually days to a couple of weeks. A full demolition of a small commercial building is usually a few weeks on site. Permits, surveys and utility disconnects come first, and their timing depends on the municipality and the utilities. Your quote includes a schedule for each stage.
Who deals with asbestos and other hazardous materials?
We do. We order the designated substance survey, then licensed abatement contractors remove anything found before demolition starts. Clearance air testing confirms the area is safe, and the reports come to you.
Do I need a demolition permit?
Almost always for a full or partial building demolition, and often for interior work that touches structure or fire separations. We apply for it and handle the conditions that come with it, such as utility disconnects and hoarding.
Can you strip one unit while the rest of the plaza stays open?
Yes. We use dust barriers, protect shared services, schedule noisy work around neighbouring tenants and keep access clear for customers. As a property manager, this is work we coordinate in occupied buildings every day.
What happens to the materials?
As much as possible is recycled: metal goes to scrap, concrete and brick are crushed for fill, and asphalt is recycled. Disposal records show where everything went.
Will the site be ready for the next build?
That's the goal. Foundations and slabs are removed, the excavation is backfilled and compacted, and the lot is rough-graded so your builder or buyer can start right away.
Have a building or unit to take down?
Send us the address and what you want left at the end. We'll walk the site and come back with a fixed written scope and schedule.