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It is understandable to believe that the availability of your demolition crew of choice is the only thing that matters when you choose a date for your demolition. This is not true.
Calgary's weather impacts many things such as the preparation of the work site, the flexibility of equipment, the type of demolition, and the speed of demolition. Issues with permits and contracts can also affect how long it takes to get work initiated.
When you are looking to employ commercial demolition in Calgary, businesses need to have time-bound projects. You need to know the right season will make the process easier and provide you with time to manage the unanticipated delays.
Here is what you should know about each season.
Winter: Cold Weather Does Not Stop Demolition Work
Calgary winters can make specific demolition work more complicated, especially demolition that requires excavation or removal of the foundation.
When the ground freezes, excavation work becomes much harder. Heavy equipment can become immovable. A site that was easily accessible in September may not be so in January.
That does not mean that commercial demolition work ceases in the winter.
Winter usually offers some advantages for businesses in urban areas. Demolition disruptions can be easier to manage with fewer customers around and less pedestrian traffic at the commercial properties.
Winter can actually be a better choice for some projects.
Spring: Wet Ground and Delays
While spring brings milder temperatures, it can also create its own problems.
As the snow melts and the ground thaws, construction sites become muddy and wet. Equipment may have trouble getting around the property, especially on sites with poor drainage and access.
As the winter season ends, permits are something to watch. More businesses start planning construction and demolition activities, which can impact your plan. It is recommended to add allowance for approval times and scheduling if you plan to start your demolition in the spring.
This is especially the case if your demolition has to do with the end of a lease, the construction of rentals for new tenants, or renovations.
A few weeks of added planning can solve a much bigger problem later.
Summer: Ideal Contractor Availability, Demolition Difficulty
Summer is one of the easier seasons for demolition work in Calgary.
The ground is usually dry, and outdoor work is often possible with longer, more favourable daylight hours.
However, there is one thing that can get in the way.
Demolition Contractors are in High Demand in the Summer
Summer bookings for commercial demolition in Calgary fill up quickly. If you put off scheduling your demolition, you may lose your preferred demolition contractor, thus forcing you to begin your project further in the future and/or select your contractor solely based on availability.
If you'd like to demolish your commercial property in the summer, it's better to make preparations early.
Fall is a Good Time For Lots of Projects
Many businesses are overlooking fall for demolition dates.
Ground is workable, the weather is not as inconsistent as other seasons, and contractors do not have as much demand on their time as they do in summer.
More and more business owners are discovering that demolition in the fall is the ideal time to prepare and begin a new project in the spring.
Other Factors Besides Weather Need to Be Considered, Too
You need to consider the schedule of your business, and when your demand is likely to be the highest.
There are many operational impacts to consider around the timing of demolition. Retail stores likely want work done before the holiday season, while summer loss for a restaurant that relies on patio business is harder to take. Depending on the nature of the impact and construction work, an office building may be able to be more flexible with construction work being done at a less busy time.
The best demolition date may not be the one with the best weather.
The best date is often the one with the least business disruption for you, and contractor flexibility for the weather and unpredictable elements.
The same applies to a residential demolition Calgary project. Even if the big deadlines for homeowners are more likely to be a move or closing date on a property sale, they are still dealing with deadlines.
The Biggest Tip: Plan Ahead
If you know the date you want the demolition to be done, do not call days before you want it done.
It may seem like there aren't many steps leading up to a demolition, but there is a lot of preparation involved, as there are permits to be acquired, on-site preparation, scheduling of contractors along with the potential for the coordination of utility shut off as well as testing for hazardous materials on site.
Starting your preparation process 8 to 12 weeks before your preferred demolition date gives you a competitive advantage in the market. It gives you a lot more flexibility to wait for permits to be issued as well as book the contractors you want.
We have worked on commercial demolition in Calgary since 2015 and look forward to working with you on your project. Reach out to us and we can give you an estimate, talk about your timeline, and turnaround for your project.
As we are COR-certified and have WCB and $5 million in liability insurance, you can feel confident that we prioritize safety. With more than 500 projects completed in Calgary and surrounding areas, we can bring all of our experience to your project.
Need to Schedule a Demolition but Not Sure of the Timeline?
Dial (587) 952-8952 or get a free estimate. We guarantee we will reply within 24 hours.
