Commercial demolition and site prep for Bay Area businesses. Esquives manages selective and full demolitions with environmental compliance and heavy equipment.
Selective demolition means removing specific walls, finishes, or systems while leaving the rest of the building intact, which is common for tenant improvements. Full demolition involves taking a building down to the shell or to the slab, depending on the scope. We’ll review your end goal and recommend the right approach to minimize cost and risk.
Yes, in California you’re generally required to test for asbestos and sometimes lead or other hazardous materials before disturbing certain building components, especially in older structures. We coordinate with licensed environmental testing firms and follow their abatement recommendations before demolition begins. This protects your liability and keeps the project compliant with state and local regulations.
Most cities in the Bay Area require a demolition permit, and some require separate permits for interior demo, structural removal, or utility capping. There may also be requirements related to dust control, noise, and debris recycling. We handle the permit process, coordinate with utility providers, and ensure the work meets local and state regulations.
We manage dust, noise, and safety during commercial demolition with containment barriers, negative air machines, controlled demolition methods, and OSHA-compliant PPE protocols. Noise is minimized through careful scheduling and tool selection—especially in occupied buildings where other tenants must remain unaffected. We maintain clear barriers, proper signage, and documented safety procedures throughout the work.
Debris is sorted, loaded, and hauled to appropriate recycling or disposal facilities in compliance with local waste management rules. Many Bay Area jurisdictions have diversion requirements, so we separate materials like metal, concrete, and clean wood. We provide documentation if your project or city requires proof of recycling rates.
Interior selective demo for a typical 2,000–5,000 sq ft commercial suite usually runs 5–10 working days, including debris haul-off and broom-clean handoff. Larger floor plates, multi-story access, or jobs requiring asbestos abatement before demo can extend to 3–6 weeks. Full-building demolition of a smaller single-story structure often runs 2–4 weeks from mobilization to graded pad, while a larger or more complex building with shared utilities, neighboring structures, or retained slabs can take 5–8 weeks. We'll walk the site and put a specific schedule in writing with the estimate.
Yes, we often demolish specific suites or floors while other tenants stay in place. We focus on separation, secure access control, dust management, and scheduling noisy work during off-hours where possible. Coordination with property management and clear communication with occupants are key to keeping everyone safe and informed.
Once you're removing anything structural—load-bearing walls, beams, slabs, or any element that carries weight to the foundation—or working in a building with shared walls, occupied adjacent tenants, or materials of unknown age, you need a licensed contractor. In California, commercial demolition without proper permits and documentation creates real liability: if hazardous materials turn up, utility disconnects aren't coordinated, or a neighboring structure is affected, unlicensed crews don't carry the bonding or insurance to protect you. Unpermitted demo also creates title and code compliance problems that can delay or block your next phase of construction.
Esquives General Contractors · Morgan Hill, CA · (408) 809-1212 · sales@esquivescontractors.com · Mon–Fri 6:00am–5:00pm, Sat 6:00am–2:00pm · CSLB License #1056641 · Licensed, bonded & insured.