Demolition and Remediation Archives

Category: Demolition and Remediation

An Overview of the Construction Industry in Edmonton

The construction industry here in Edmonton, Alberta, is a vibrant and dynamic sector that plays a significant role in the city’s growth and development. As the capital of Alberta, Edmonton boasts a robust construction industry that encompasses various sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Here’s an overview of the construction industry in Edmonton:

Residential Construction

Residential construction in Edmonton is thriving, with a strong demand for single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, and apartment complexes. The city experiences steady population growth, attracting individuals and families seeking housing options. Developers are active in constructing new residential communities and infill projects to accommodate the growing population.

Commercial and Industrial Construction

Edmonton is home to a diverse range of commercial and industrial projects. The city boasts numerous office buildings, retail centers, hotels, warehouses, and industrial facilities. Major commercial developments can be found in downtown Edmonton, along with emerging business districts and retail hubs across the city.

Infrastructure Development

Edmonton’s construction industry is heavily involved in infrastructure development to support the city’s expanding needs. This includes the construction of roads, bridges, public transportation systems, utility networks, and public facilities such as schools, hospitals, and recreational centers. Major infrastructure projects aim to improve connectivity, enhance transportation efficiency, and support the growing population.

Government Initiatives and Investments

The local government plays an active role in driving construction activity in Edmonton. It invests in infrastructure projects, promotes sustainable development practices, and encourages economic growth within the construction sector. The government also provides support and incentives for businesses and developers, fostering an environment conducive to construction and development.

Skilled Workforce and Training

Edmonton benefits from a skilled workforce in the construction industry. The city has several reputable training institutions and vocational programs that provide education and training for individuals pursuing careers in construction. These programs help meet the demand for skilled workers and ensure the industry’s continued growth and success.

Embracing Technology and Innovation

Like many cities, Edmonton’s construction industry is embracing technology and innovation. Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, robotics, and other advanced tools are increasingly utilized to improve project planning, design, construction efficiency, and safety.

Focus on Sustainability

There is a growing emphasis on sustainable construction practices in Edmonton. Developers and builders are incorporating energy-efficient designs, green building materials, and renewable energy systems into their projects. The city is also implementing sustainable development policies and initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.

Overall, the construction industry in Edmonton is thriving, driven by population growth, infrastructure development, and a robust economy. The city’s commitment to sustainable practices, skilled workforce, government support, and technological advancements make it an exciting and progressive environment for construction professionals and businesses alike.

Bilt by Jaffer was founded in this cradle of industry and continues to thrive in the construction world of Edmonton. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our city, the construction industry here, or our experienced construction management services.

Office to Residential Conversions: Here’s what you need to know.

Canada is currently facing simultaneous crises in housing affordability and an overabundance of office space due to a slow return to the workplace for many workers.

As a result, property owners are looking for creative solutions to both problems – and one of the most popular options is converting unused office spaces into apartments. This can be a complex process that requires careful planning, so it’s important to understand what needs to be done before beginning the project.

In this article, we will discuss some tips and strategies for remodelling an office space into apartments, as well as some potential pitfalls to watch out for.

Why Convert from Office to Residential Space?

Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic gutted out office spaces and made remote work mandatory, many workers have returned to the office, but not all.

Some workers realized that remote work has unique benefits for their productivity and work-life balance, and many organizations realized how much they can still get done without a physical office space. Across the country, property owners in nearly every downtown core are feeling the pain of vacancy in what were normally high-demand locations.

At the same time, Canada and the US are both facing housing affordability crises, driving up rents and putting pressure on governments to find solutions.

In 2021, the federal government dedicated $300 million to converting vacant commercial properties into rental housing to address this crisis. Despite a lack of details since this announcement, Calgary has taken the lead on this solution, dedicating $73 million to support office -> residential conversions. Given the pressures on all levels of government, similar initiatives are likely to follow in other municipalities across the country.

What are the Challenges to this Solution?

“Housing Crisis” =/= “Housing Shortage”

Many of the buildings suffering from commercial vacancies are prime real estate located in downtown cores, where prestige and proximity to amenities and other businesses previously enabled owners to charge high rents.

When businesses and organizations re-evaluated the necessity of their physical office space, these expensive locations were some of the first to go. Given the gradual and unpredictable pace of economic recovery and return to in-person work over the last few years, these spaces will likely be the last places to fill back up.

Owners looking to turn these vacant office spaces into residential spaces often intend to build high-end, luxury apartments to cover their costs. This is almost certainly a mistake, one born of a common misconception.

Unfortunately, when discussing Canada’s housing crisis, it’s common to refer to it as a “housing shortage,” implying that the total number of housing-seekers exceeds the total number of housing spaces.

In reality, there were over 1.3 million vacant homes in Canada as of 2021 and approximately only 235,000 homeless Canadians throughout the course of any given year, with only 25,000-35,000 homeless Canadians at any one time.

In reality, the “housing crisis” is not a shortage of housing but a shortage of affordable housing.

Property owners who try to recoup their costs by converting their vacant office spaces into luxury condos will likely find themselves back where they started, with an abundance of property too valuable to fill with tenants.

Instead, for this to be a viable solution, property owners need to convert high-value office space to lower-value residential space with smaller units and lower prices. This brings us to the next challenge: cost.

These conversions are not likely to be profitable or even cheap.

The lack of demand for high-value real estate means that owners will probably only be able to sell to developers at far lower prices than the same property would have fetched four years ago.

Should owners decide to keep the property and remodel it themselves, they’ll be faced with the challenge of adapting a layout designed for offices to the requirements of residential spaces. This means the complex adaptation of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical infrastructure to accommodate more compact space usage, as well as a much higher demand for window space in laying out rooms.

Depending on the building’s layout and local building and tenancy laws, converting some buildings is simply not legal.

The Brightside

As discussed previously, governments are feeling pressure from constituents to find solutions to the housing affordability crisis, and these conversions are a great way to solve two problems at once.

More municipalities are likely to follow Calgary’s lead and offer subsidies to developers and owners looking to convert their office space, making the switch more feasible and profitable.

Even municipalities that have not yet formally announced conversion subsidy funds may be open to proposals from property owners, depending on the size of the property.

Experts in Renovation and Remodelling

We pride ourselves on the quality, efficiency, and transparency of our construction and renovation services. Bilt’s expert project managers have been involved in numerous large-scale remodelling and renovation projects, including several major-franchise hotels. [link]

Check out more of our work to see what we can do, or get in touch with us today to learn more!

What is the Process of Demolition?

Demolition Data

Nothing lasts forever was never a truer statement than in the demolition business. When a house, building, or commercial structure has seen better days, it is time that demolition has to take place. Sometimes, structures are deemed unsafe for use, and have to be taken down. At other times, derelict buildings need to be replaced by new ones. Whatever company is selected to do the work, the process of demolition must be safe to be successful. It is best to go with a qualified and reputable company. A COR (Certificate of Recognition) safety certification required by a demolition company to procure, assures clients of its efficacy and standards of quality work.

Demolition Plan

Many aspects of building demolition need to be considered before any actual demolition begins, and there is more than one way to go about the process. First, a demolition company has to evaluate specific client needs, so that a plan of demolition can be uniquely customized. Once a client’s requirements have been assessed, a plan is made. The plan includes the process of demolition in detail. In the plan, the equipment used, materials, labor employed, etc, will be mentioned. The demolition goal is to make sure that the structure in question is destroyed in the safest possible manner within the budget that is estimated. A plan is executed on the basis of the size of the building, the reason for its demolition, the materials of the building, and the building’s location.

Methods

Methods used for actual demolition will also likely be included in the plan. Depending on the structure to be destroyed, the methods followed may consist of deconstruction, implosion, traditional excavation, and/or demolition selectively. Deconstruction entails dismantling structures in such a way that components can be reused. Implosion is the process of utilizing explosives to demolish a structure’s main support beams, this causes the building to collapse from the interior, outwards. This method is rarely used, unless necessary. Traditional excavation may use manual labor to hammer and claw out certain parts of a structure. Demolition selectively means that certain parts of the building are removed, such as window frames, to easily demolish the structure.

Once the plan is readied, the company conducting the demolition will get an exact picture of the method, required equipment, cost, amount of debris and dispersion, and final cleaning up. Emergency plans and back ups are also made and are part of the process of demolition. The next stage of the process is to obtain permits from municipal authorities. This can only be done when the plan is finalized. Demolition companies must act within the boundaries of the law.

Actual Demolition

Whether a small house or a large building is destroyed, the physical demolition procedure cannot start without the site of demolition being appropriately prepared. The structure has to be fully cleaned, and all utilities such as gas, electrical elements, water connections and hazardous matter must be acknowledged. Any material that is recyclable must be removed from the area. Any good demolition company knows the importance of clearing out the site before demolition takes place. After all the steps are completed, and the site is ready, a schedule is adhered to and the structure is demolished. A good company will execute the task with precision and coordination. The expertise involved is of the utmost importance and should be well-researched before selecting a demolition company.

To ask questions to our demolition experts, or learn more, contact us.

Steps to Hire Mold Removal and Remediation Specialists

Mold Removal

Mold is a very unpleasant kind of growth to have around and sometimes leaves behind an insipid odor. Mold or mildew is caused by excess amounts of moisture in the home or building. If you have a leakage issue, then you will have its best friend “mold” cropping up in your pristine home or property. Mold needs to be dealt with on an urgent basis, because left unmonitored it will only grow and spread, sometimes rampantly. This will cause structural damage to your property. It’s important to hire the right mold removal specialists, especially if the mold is spreading at an increasing rate.

Mold and mildew have a habit of taking up residence in attics and dark places, like cellars/basements. Mold and mildew let off a musty smell and emanate substances that can make you ill, causing nausea, coughs, and other allergies and respiratory conditions. Forget the look of it, the health hazard it creates is just not worth bearing. Mold begins to develop within 48 hours and hiring a professional will guarantee that your problems are dealt with quickly. Edmonton has its fair share of certified people to do the job accurately and effectively in terms of experts for mold removal.

Hiring Mold Removal and Remediation Specialists

You may think mold removal is a DIY job and try your hand at removing it yourself. This isn’t advisable, because although mold spores are not toxic as such, they may be toxicogenic. This simply means that you are at risk of catching infections or allergies from being in contact with mold (spores may be airborne). To hire mold cleaners is the best way to deal with the mold menace. Certain steps that you need to go through to ultimately get your work done, are listed below:

• Certified Mold Inspection

Before you go out there and hire a mold expert, you need to make sure that specialists in this area of remediation are certified by an authentic, recognized body. Whichever company you choose to finally hire for mold removal, it must have trained and certified staff with IAC2 (International Association of Certified Mold – Indoor Air Consultants). With such a certification, you are sure that experts will monitor and test air quality, as well as determine the cause of the mold. Proper tools and devices will be used to do this.

• Certified Project Managers

Mold removal specialists in Edmonton will likely have to hold a certification by IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). Clients who hire experts who have this stamp will benefit from services meted out according to official guidelines by IICRC.

• Experience in Edmonton Areas

Officially certified mold removal experts in the Edmonton area know full well that many homes and buildings contain asbestos. Asbestos can be a mold contamination source in numerous cases. Mold remediation experts who do their initial check know and understand this as they are familiar with this problem. Clients who sign contracts with reputed companies for mold removal and remediation services will note that the contract has seals of affiliated and recognized agencies’ certifications.

5 Key Benefits of Hiring Demolition Services in Edmonton

Edmonton’s city complies that an approved building permit and a development permit are necessary to demolish any structure. The statute further goes on to define demolition as the act of entirely removing a structure from a plot—no need to worry if you need only partial demolition. A license known as ‘Exterior Alteration Permit’ allows limited removal of part of a building like dismantling an old porch or a wall to enlarge a room.

The Two Types Of Demolition Services

It is now clear from the city rules that there are two types of demolition jobs:

i. Complete removal of a structure situation on a lot/land.

ii. Removal of part of a build.

Both the jobs need careful planning and the aid of experienced demolition services.

Jobs Involved In Demolition

The necessity of getting a permit was mentioned in the beginning here. Will taking a permit alone guarantee the successful completion of your demolition project and subsequent renovation? A permit is an only minor compliance. Other nuances include:

i. Fire and safety precautions

ii. Timing

iii. Safety of the neighborhood

iv. Removing debris from the site

These shall be executed by expert demolition services without involving the owners or their time. Hiring experts for demolition services ensures:

1. Systematic Procedures

Experienced demolition experts have special equipment for completing the job in minimum time. They assess the nature of demolition and employ professionals experienced in a particular task. For example, the pieces of equipment and manpower needed for a commercial tear down is different from that required on a residential property.

2. Protection And Safety

This aspect of a demolition project involves two components.

i. Protection of other parts of the property: In the case of a limited demolition, other structures within the building should remain intact, not to mention neighboring properties. Demolition services have teams specialized in mapping out exact boundaries for contained demolition.

ii. Safety of people, equipment, and residents: The act of demolition is very risky. All the people involved in the act should have exceptional knowledge and experience in safety procedures to prevent disasters both in terms of workers, the clients, and neighbours around the demolition site.

3. Risks Related to Environment and Health

Construction sites have more environmental and health hazards than what meets the eye. Compliance with minimum laws alone shall not suffice to overcome the situation. Citing an example for instance: if the demolished property had asbestos, it means it also requires expert removal that only a professional service provider can perform. They may outsource it to another company that is specialized in asbestos removal, but that won’t be a headache for you to manage.

4. Efficient Waste Management

This process begins before the actual demolition by ensuring the non-proliferation of the neighborhood through effective concealment techniques. Waste disposal after the work has been completed forms a major part of the contract.

5. Excellent Time Management

Demolition is the beginning of construction. You have made a schedule and budget for the entire process to ensure smooth completion within a budget. Reputed demolition services ensure that their work is completed within schedule. This allows the owner to start construction work on time and stick to the schedule in tandem with weather or any other matters like holidays.

The Concrete Truth: Our Bilt Experts Weigh in on the Misconceptions of Concrete

We see concrete everywhere in our day-to-day including sidewalks, driveways, walls, and nearly every man-made structure new or renovated. To answer some common questions people may have when it comes to usage, proper management, and other considerations with concrete, we have compiled the knowledge and insight from our experts at Bilt: Jeff Gould (President), Travis Murphy (Construction Manager), and Muhammad Ali Hassan (Junior Project Manager).

Concrete is made up for four main ingredients: Sand (Fine Aggregate), Gravel (Coarse Aggregate), Cement, and Water. They are bonded together with a fluid cement (cement paste) that hardens (cures) over time. It is used as a foundational base for nearly all construction structures due to its high stability and bonding ability.

Weather Considerations for Concrete

“Rain, snow, and other weather patterns primarily affect the pouring and curing process. For instance, during pouring, typically between +7 and 12 degrees Celsius provides the ideal temperature for a smooth pour. If it becomes too cold, say -30 degrees Celsius, the concrete can get compromised and cracked.” – Jeff Gould, President

During the curing process, concrete produces a lot of heat. When the temperature is too high, this can slow down the process. Similarly, if the temperature is too high, then the curing process is also slower and moisture from the concrete will freeze rather than harden. When combined with the heat generated from curing, it can cause a “shock” like placing a cold glass in a hot oven.

In hotter parts of the world, you can expect to see workers spraying hot water on concrete as it cures. This process is known as “hydration” to induce evaporation and generate heat. Hot water spraying continuously allows the curing process to slow down and stretch it to the ideal 28 days it takes to sufficiently harden. Keeping a careful watch on the weather during a project timeline is crucial for the pouring and curing phase, but weather itself after concrete has cured typically is not affected.

The Truth About Cracks

Cracks are an inevitability when it comes to concrete work. After all, the constant pressure and accumulated years of weight will eventually satisfy general laws of physics. But not all cracks require the same amount of attention.

Spider cracks, for instance, usually should not be a cause for concern. They are quite common as the first signs of wear and seen nearly everywhere. They are generally more cosmetic than structurally compromised. When the crack becomes larger (wider), then an investigation would be warranted. If a crack becomes the width of a dime (approximately 1 centimeter), then that would be a cause for concern. For renovation projects, these are common places to be addressed. If some cracks become larger issues, then demolition may be an option.

Similar to a hot air balloon, heat causes concrete to expand. The force from the expansion will deliver a force in all directions to push anything in its way (for example, a brick all or adjacent slab).

“Expansion joints are used as a point of separation (or isolation), between other static surfaces. Typically made of a compressible material like asphalt, rubber, or lumber, expansion joints must act as shock absorbers to relieve the stress that expansion puts on concrete and prevent cracking.” – Muhammad Ali Hassan, Junior Project Manager

If cracks are appearing immediately after pouring or right after curing, it may show signs that it was not done properly; otherwise, cracks are completely normal.

How Long Does It Take For Concrete To Set?

Concrete should ideally take 28 days to properly set by normal standards. Since there is heat generated from the curing process, the temperature where concrete is setting needs to have the right balance with the temperature of the environment to maintain a proper curing pace. Crystals are formed during concrete that helps strengthen concrete. Curing too quickly and fewer crystals are formed. That is why 28 days is the most ideal time as it allows for these crystals to form. For renovation projects, it is imperative that the concrete is perfect for many years to come.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Concrete

As we already understand, temperature and weather elements for outdoor concrete requires more consideration. In winter, a specific type of mix is required to properly cure in harsh, colder temperatures.

In contrast, indoor concrete work differs due to its controlled environment. In these controlled settings, creating a strong slab of concrete can occur much easier. For example, let us explore the precast steps for exterior concrete steps for houses. These are manufactured in controlled indoor environments to strengthen. When they arrive on site for installation, they are already incredibly strong and very unlikely to see cracks during precast steps.

When it comes to understanding concrete and its strength, it is also important to understand tensile strength and compressive strength; concrete has low tensile strength but high compressive strength. Tensile strength in concrete is extremely weak especially when it is just a slab of concrete such as a driveway or garage pad. That is why we need rebar to help give it the needed strength as steel is high in tensile strength. On a horizontal surface, the tension on the plane of concrete would have many weak points that requires compensation from steel rebar. In other instances where concrete is structured vertically such as pillars or upright cylinders, they are naturally strong because of the compressive strength (vertical force of bearing the load). Without the needed strength, particularly tensile, concrete is fragile and brittle. But in terms of compressive strength such as a vertical cylinder or pillar, it is one of the strongest elements there is and is why it is commonly used in constructing multi-story buildings.

Ultimately, the more controlled and protected the process, the better the quality of the concrete. For exterior pours while the concrete is curing, concrete should be protected and insulated even if it means covering it with a tarp. Fortunately, working around harsh weather conditions such as extreme cold, does not mean that concrete pouring is impossible. Other procedures to consider such as ratio mix and added mixtures to the concrete can balance out the rigors caused by colder temperatures.

The Right Amount of Rebar

“I have seen guys out there lying down too little rebar and the concrete just doesn’t have the adequate strength. But the I’ve also seen guys out there who lay down too much rebar. This is also a problem because we need to have some flex as well; the earth below our feet is always moving and shifting so too much rebar can cause the concrete to be too stiff.” – Travis Murphy, Construction Manager

As we have already mentioned the issues caused by inappropriate temperatures, another consideration to avoid structural issues is choosing the right amount of rebar. With tensile strength in concrete we know how brittle it is and that just a slab of concrete laying flat on a surface could easily break. When combined with steel rebar, this provides the compressive strength required for a pad to be walked on. Too little rebar would not provide adequate strength and become susceptible to collapse. Conversely, too much rebar can cause issues as a bit of flexibility is required to account for the constant shifts and movements from earth. When concrete is too stiff from excessive rebar and combined with natural forces from earth, it will snap and crack under pressure.

“An interesting fact: if you ever head East to Toronto and you find a viewing spot of the CN tower from a good distance you can try and line your eyes to the C Tower and a pole—or even line your pointer fingers vertical in front of your eyes against the CN Tower. On a windy day you can actually see that the CN tower will sway left and right. In fact, the tower can actually move six feet on either of its sides; again, this was constructed purposely for flex and that it won’t snap against too much pressure.” – Travis Murphy, Construction Manager

Things to Do Prior to Demolition Work

Demolition is the easiest and quickest phase of a construction process; and depending on why you are demolishing, there are certain things that you need to consider before starting the demolition process.

Consider the Method of Demolition

There are various methods that you can apply to your process; these depend primarily on your end-goal, and the time-frame available to you. Here are the three most common demolition methods:

Mechanical Demolition Method

This method is the most common method of demolition that employs hydraulic excavators and other heavy machinery to carry out the task in a short time, while minimizing the scope for reuse and refurbishment of old material.

Deconstruction Method

This method is recognized by its manual process that requires considerable time, but the result is that you can reuse a lot of the materials salvaged from the old structure. This can also be considered as a branch of lean construction.

Combination of Mechanical Demolition Method and Deconstruction Method

This highly recommended method combines the two methods, ensuring a quick time span for completion as well as a proper scope for the reuse of old materials.

Hire a Professional for the Job

Demolition is an intricate process that requires you to follow specific laws and safety standards, and it also requires specialized equipment. For the same, we recommended that you hire a professional contractor for your demolition project in Edmonton.

Adhere to the Safety Laws and Obtain the Required Permits

For every demolition project, you are required to follow specific rules and regulations that depend on the type of demolition you are planning to do. You also need various permits like OSCAM and TCP. Make sure you have obtained these permits to avoid any hassle during the demolition.

Refer to this guideline for your demolition project in Edmonton.

Inform the Neighbourhood

We at Bilt, keep our demolition sites as clean as possible with limited interruption to neighbours. There are however, City Bylaws to follow to ensure everyone is aware of the demolition work.

Edmonton has particular bylaws that you need to follow regarding noise control, follow them to avoid any hassle with the law.

Maintain Utmost Safety Standards

Demolition, when safety standards are not met, can be a substantial risk. Safety must always be at the forefront of any demolition project. The SCC Code of Practice for Safety in Demolition of Structures outlines general requirements to meet safety standards. Fire is another primary concern when it comes to safety. The Fire Safety Plan set forth by the Municipal Affairs of Alberta also refers to important points to consider as well.

Lastly, other minor precautions to consider include taking care of the environment around the demolition site (trees, animals, etc.), disconnecting all the services (electricity, sewage, gas, etc.), and setting a contingency plan in case the cost goes beyond your expected budget. Contact us to know more about the bylaws, permits, methods and solutions for your demolition project in Edmonton.