Complete Site Demolition in Lakeland Florida
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House and Complete Site Demolition in Lakeland, FL
The short answer
Complete site demolition takes a property from a standing house or building down to a cleared, graded lot. We coordinate these jobs through licensed demolition partners, who handle the permits, utilities, demolition, and grading. We handle the roll-off dumpsters and debris hauling, and you get one local point of contact. Call (863) 412-5036 for a free consultation.
Who Handles What
| Part of the job | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| First call, scope, and scheduling | My Dumpster Service |
| Demolition permit | Our licensed demolition partner |
| Utility disconnects and 811 locates | Our licensed demolition partner |
| Tearing down the structure and removing the foundation | Our licensed demolition partner |
| Roll-off dumpsters, swaps, and debris hauling | My Dumpster Service |
| Final grading | Our licensed demolition partner |
Already have a demolition contractor? We can supply just the dumpsters and hauling for their job.
What Complete Site Demolition Includes
What comes outThe house or building, its foundation and slab, driveways and walkways, old utility connections on the lot, and all of the debris.
What you are left withA cleared, graded lot ready for new construction, a sale, or green space.
Before the House Comes Down
- Permit: the Florida Building Code requires a permit to demolish a building.
- Utilities: electric, gas, water, and sewer service are disconnected before any equipment arrives.
- Sunshine 811: Florida law requires a call to 811 before digging, so underground lines are marked before the foundation comes out.
- Asbestos check: older buildings should be tested before demolition.
Commercial building or apartment complex? Federal asbestos rules require a thorough asbestos inspection before demolishing commercial buildings and apartment buildings with more than four units. The state must also get written notice at least 10 working days before demolition begins. In Florida, that goes through the Department of Environmental Protection or its local program.
How Much Debris a House Demolition Creates
The slab is usually the heaviest part of the job. Concrete weighs about 150 pounds per cubic foot, so a 4 inch slab is about 50 pounds per square foot.
| Slab size (4 inches thick) | Weight (approx.) | 30-yard loads (4 tons each) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 50,000 lbs (25 tons) | About 7 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 75,000 lbs (37.5 tons) | About 10 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 100,000 lbs (50 tons) | About 13 |
Thicker footings and rebar add more. The framing, roof, and contents add many more loads on top of that, though they fill by space, not weight. We plan the swap schedule with the demolition crew so a full dumpster never stops the job. Try our concrete weight calculator for your slab.
Where the Debris Goes
Clean concrete goes to recycling, where it is crushed into aggregate for road base and new construction. Wood, drywall, and mixed debris go to licensed disposal facilities.
Permits for House Demolition
Inside Lakeland city limits, call Building Inspection at 863-834-6012. Outside city limits, call Polk County Building at (863) 534-6080. On partner-led jobs, our demolition partner pulls the permit and schedules the inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you demolish houses yourselves?
House and full site demolition is handled by our licensed demolition partners. We handle the first call, scheduling, roll-off dumpsters, and debris hauling, so you have one local contact. Call (863) 412-5036 for a free consultation.
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Lakeland?
Yes. The Florida Building Code requires a permit to demolish a building. Inside Lakeland city limits, Building Inspection is at 863-834-6012. Outside city limits, Polk County Building is at (863) 534-6080. On partner-led jobs, our demolition partner pulls the permit.
What has to happen before a house comes down?
Electric, gas, water, and sewer service must be disconnected, and Sunshine 811 must be called so underground lines get marked before anyone digs. Older buildings should also be checked for asbestos.
Does a house need an asbestos inspection before demolition?
Federal asbestos rules require an inspection before demolishing commercial buildings and apartment buildings with more than four units, with written notice to the state at least 10 working days ahead. Single homes are often exempt from that rule, but older homes can still contain asbestos, so testing first protects you and your neighbors.
How much debris does a house demolition create?
A lot. The slab alone is usually the heaviest part. A 1,500 square foot slab at 4 inches thick weighs about 75,000 pounds, or 37 tons, which is roughly 10 loads in our 30-yard dumpsters. Use our concrete weight calculator to estimate your slab.
What is left when the job is done?
A cleared lot, with the structure, foundation, and debris removed and the ground graded for whatever comes next. Your partner estimate spells out exactly what is included.
Need a house or building taken down to a cleared lot? Start with one call.
Call (863) 412-5036 Request a consultation