Wow, I didn't know scouting had a demo badge!(Just kidding!) I assume this is for a civic service project? Depending on how many people are going to be involved, you might consider hand demolishing (using sledge hammers and crow bars to dismantle the building piece by piece; this is prbably your cheapest option). If you have an adult and the availabe funds you could rent a skidsteer loader with a grapple attachment and use it to mechanically demolish the building. Do you have to remove the slab and foundations? The skidsteer would help with that (rental w/attachment would be around $250/300 per day depending on your location). As far as methods, try to let gravity work for you, go from the top down, and always always always leave your self room to get out of the way!!

Why don't you ask some local demolition contractors to take the building down for you for free as a charitable donation to a community service project?

That would be a good idea also, but if it is a Civic project they will need to perform it on their own. Maybe what they could do is have a demolition contractor volunteer some time to help supervise and check safety.

Ben, where are you located? Maybe one of us here could help you or find some one that could help you guys.

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I am currently located in Beaveton, Oregon andthe church is loacted in tualtion. Due to the depth that this project entails and the lack of time I currently have till I turn 18, I have decided to strip the house and prepare it for demoltion as a means to profile the eagle project, but will alos be returning to the project to finish it up, past eagle scout if need be. what is needed to have a project completly ready for demo? Haveing the structure brought down to it's basic wooden walls and roof. I know that I would have to remove all thew wires, turn off power, rip carpets up, remove heaters, what else is in a house that can not be simply thrown into the demo barrel?

thank you much for your helpfull respsonse

....

As roadkill says, make sure the power is off. Also check to see if you need a demo permit and regardless of if you do, the city engineering dept can tell you what specifically you will need to do prior to demo (sewer disconnects and the like).
If this is a house it would be good idea to check for asbestos and lead paint. You didn't say how old the structure is but if it was built before the early 70's the chance of having lead and asbestos goes up. Call around to local envornmental or abatment companies and explain your case, they might be able to halp you out cost wise ( I just had a 50000 sqft warehouse surveyed and it ran 180.00 so there are affordable companies out there).

Not to be a killjoy, but do you guys really feel comfortable advising this person, obviously a minor because he says he is under the age of 18, to rent a machine and attempt demolition of a building knowing that he has absolutely no prior experience doing demo or running heavy equipment and he appears to have no supervision on the project?

I would urge you to consider the liability you may be bringing upon yourself, as a professional demolition contractor that a court would find knew, or ought to have known, the danger you are putting this boy into by advising him the way you guys are.

It may be fun for him to wreck the building, but as I suggested in an earlier post, he should ask some local demolition contractors to take the building down for free as a charitable donation to a community service project?

While it might be great fun for him to hit the old building with a bobcat or a mini-excavator, he could get hurt following your advise. If a contractor in his area wants to get him covered under his policy, and supervise what he is doing, fine.

Otherwise, I would be very careful in what you say to this young fellow. This whole thing sounds very fishy. Please be careful, all of you.

[quote=James]Maybe what they could do is have a demolition contractor volunteer some time to help supervise and check safety.




Do what James says . . .

Rental companies will not rent to minors or to people without the finances to do so (ie credit or credit cards). I think what ben is looking for is the process involved so that he can determine his best course of action. My advice is to not attempt any demo without a competent person on site. If ben follows the steps of contacting his municipality, he will have a better understanding of the administative processes involved. Ben, we don't just go out and knock 'em down, there are generally permits, environmental clearances and notifications to be done and usually a 10 day wait from issuance of permit before any work can begin. Get with a local contractor and ask for help on this. Please don't perform any work without the proper paperwork, insurance and competent oversight.