Storefronts, block buildings and small commercial
Demolition Little Rock: Commercial Demolition in Little Rock
Vacant storefronts, block buildings, small offices and warehouses taken down with the asbestos survey, the state notice and the plans review handled first, and the concrete and steel recycled.
- Little Rock and 12 nearby towns
- Written price before work starts
- Permit and utility steps explained
- Houses, pools, garages and slabs
- Lots left level and swept
Demolition Little Rock arranges commercial demolition in Little Rock for owners, developers and lenders clearing small and mid-size buildings: a shuttered strip storefront on a commercial corridor, a block garage, an old office, or a metal warehouse. Commercial jobs carry more paperwork than houses, and the City will not issue the permit until the asbestos question is answered in writing.
An asbestos survey for a small commercial building typically costs a few hundred to about $800; starting demolition without it can bring state enforcement, a stop-work order and abatement costs of $10 to $30 per square foot under pressure.
Describe the building, its size and what it is made of, and hear a typical price range before anyone drives out.
Call (501) 222-3828Signs a commercial building is ready to come down
- A vacant building costing more in insurance and security than it earns
- A roof that has failed and let water into the structure
- A redevelopment plan that cannot reuse the building
- Code violations or an unsafe-structure notice
- A buyer or lender who wants the site cleared before closing
What the City of Little Rock asks for
- A building permit application for the demolition, with the fee based on the building's square footage.
- A copy of an asbestos survey or the state Notice of Intent for any commercial building.
- Review and approval by the Plans Examiner, which every commercial demolition application gets.
- A sewer seal from the wastewater utility before the permit is issued.
- A City business license and a $10,000 surety bond from the contractor, and an Arkansas contractor's license on projects over $50,000.
Every application is also screened for historic significance; inside the Capitol Zoning District near the State Capitol or the MacArthur Park Historic District, the relevant commission approves it first.
Asbestos and the state Notice of Intent
Under Arkansas Regulation 21, a thorough asbestos inspection of a covered building comes before demolition, and a written Notice of Intent with its fee goes to the Division of Environmental Quality at least 10 working days before work starts. The Division has entered consent orders with demolition operators, including on a North Little Rock job, who skipped those steps. Older commercial buildings commonly contain asbestos in floor tile, roofing, pipe insulation and wall systems, and it has to come out before the building does.
Describe the building, its size and what it is made of, and hear a typical price range before anyone drives out.
Call (501) 222-3828Recycling concrete and steel
Commercial buildings are mostly concrete, block and steel, and most of that can be recycled. Steel bar joists, beams and decking go to a scrap yard, which can offset part of the cost. Clean concrete and block can be crushed for base rock. Only what cannot be recycled needs a Class 4 construction and demolition landfill.
Describe the building, its size and what it is made of, and hear a typical price range before anyone drives out.
Call (501) 222-3828Utilities, neighbors and traffic
Commercial sites often have heavier services: three-phase power, larger gas and water lines, fire sprinkler connections and grease traps. Each is disconnected by its utility. On busy streets the job may need a lane or sidewalk closure and traffic control, and a fence around the site. Projects in North Little Rock and Sherwood go through those cities' building departments.
Questions people ask
How much does commercial demolition cost in Little Rock?
Small commercial buildings of 1,000 to 5,000 square feet commonly run $4 to $8 per square foot, before asbestos abatement and deep foundations.
What are the signs a commercial building should be demolished?
A failed roof, a vacant building costing more than it earns, a redevelopment plan that cannot reuse it, or an unsafe notice.
Do I need an asbestos survey to demolish a commercial building in Little Rock?
Yes. The City asks for a copy of an asbestos survey or the state Notice of Intent before it issues a commercial demolition permit.
How far ahead do I file the Arkansas Notice of Intent?
At least 10 working days before covered demolition starts, with the fee, to the Division of Environmental Quality.
Can the steel and concrete be recycled?
Usually. Steel goes to scrap and clean concrete can be crushed for base, both of which lower disposal costs.
How long does commercial demolition take?
The machine work is often days to a couple of weeks. The survey, notice and plans review usually take longer, so start those first.
Have something that needs to come down?
A house, a garage, a pool or a slab. Call with the address and the size, and get a typical price range and the permit steps that apply to it.
Call (501) 222-3828