Demolition Contractors in Sandy Springs, GA

Most calls we get for demolition contractors in Sandy Springs come from owners who bought a lot for the land, not the house. Wikipedia notes the area stayed rural until the early 1960s, when Georgia 400 and Interstate 285 were built. Population reached 46,877 by 1980 and 67,842 by 1990, so a large share of the housing dates from that first wave of suburban building. Those ranch houses and split-levels on wooded lots are now being replaced with larger homes, and the old house, its driveway and often a tired pool all have to go first.

A city with its own demolition rules

Sandy Springs incorporated on December 1, 2005, after residents voted 94 percent in favor, and it runs its own permitting. The city says a demolition permit is needed before taking down any free-standing structure, and that covers partial demolition, removing finishes and removing non-load-bearing walls too. When interior wall removal or a carport teardown is part of a larger building permit, it is usually covered by that permit instead.

The city's demolition application also states that any building over one story needs a pre-inspection and a post inspection. Applicants mark which utilities are being disconnected: gas, sewer, septic tank, electrical and water. Plans must show erosion control measures, and applications go through the city's online portal.

Asbestos checks come first

Sandy Springs asks for an asbestos abatement survey confirming no asbestos remains on site, and a copy of the asbestos documentation goes in with the application. The city also points to the state rule: Georgia EPD must be notified at least 10 working days before work starts if 10 square feet or 10 linear feet or more of friable asbestos-containing material will be removed. Houses from the 1960s and 1970s are exactly the age where we find it in old floor tile, mastic, pipe wrap and textured ceilings. We get the survey done early so it does not become the reason the schedule slips.

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Strip malls coming down along Roswell Road

Sandy Springs is also replacing its older commercial buildings. The city bought the former Target, originally a Richway, at Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road and Mount Vernon Highway in 2008, and the City Springs complex opened on that site in 2018. Wikipedia notes strip malls along Roswell Road are being replaced by mixed-use apartments. For smaller commercial owners, we handle tenant space gut-outs, storefront removal and slab breakout so the next build-out starts on a clean shell.

Lots along the river and the creeks

The Chattahoochee River forms the western and northern boundary of the city, and the city sits around 1,093 feet. Many residential lots slope toward the river or a creek, with mature hardwoods close to the house. On those lots we plan the equipment path carefully, keep debris piles off slopes and set silt fence on the downhill side before the first wall comes down. Some homes are also still on septic, which has to be dealt with during demolition, and the city's form lists septic as one of the utilities to account for.

Old house, new house

Not every older building is a teardown. The Austin-Johnson House on Johnson Ferry Road, built in 1842, is described as the oldest unaltered house in the city. If you own something with a story behind it, we will give you an honest read on whether selective demolition and a renovation would serve you better. Call (470) 260-8440 to schedule a walk-through.