Safe, efficient demolition and site prep in the Bay Area. Esquives handles interior tear-outs, full demolitions, excavation, and debris removal.
Demolition requires its own stand-alone demo permit, which is separate from any future building permit for new construction. Most Bay Area cities require letters from utility providers confirming that gas, electric, and water and sewer have been capped at the property line before the demo permit will be issued—turning off service at the meter is not sufficient. If the structure predates the mid-1970s, a hazardous materials survey is required, and any asbestos or lead found must be abated under a Cal/OSHA-compliant abatement protocol before demolition begins. Tree removal permits may be required separately if protected species are present. Grading and earthwork beyond a few hundred cubic yards often triggers a grading permit and erosion control plan. We pull permits in the correct order so no single missing approval puts the project in violation midway through site preparation.
For buildings built before the late 1980s, we assume there’s a risk of asbestos or lead and recommend testing by a certified environmental consultant before disturbing materials. If hazardous materials are found, a licensed abatement contractor must remove them under strict regulations. We coordinate our demo schedule around that abatement work to keep the site safe and compliant.
Full demolition means removing an entire structure or space down to the slab or foundation. Selective demolition focuses on carefully removing specific walls, finishes, or systems while protecting the areas that stay. On remodels, we mostly do selective demo so we can preserve structural elements, utilities, and finishes you want to keep.
We control dust, noise, and debris during demolition with plastic containment barriers, negative air machines where needed, covered trucks for haul-off, and regular cleanup throughout the job. Noise is managed through work-hour scheduling and tool selection, especially in multi-unit buildings or occupied offices. The goal is to keep the rest of your property safe and usable while work is in progress.
We can handle structure removal, concrete breaking, tree and brush clearing, grading, and site leveling. We also coordinate utility disconnects, temporary power if needed, and rough layout of the building footprint. Once demo and site prep are complete, the pad is ready for foundation work or further construction.
Before any major demolition, we confirm gas, power, and water shut‑offs and verify lines in the field. For full building demos, we work with you and the utility providers to schedule permanent disconnects. On smaller interior projects, we cap or reroute plumbing, electrical, and HVAC as needed to keep the rest of the building safe and operational.
A typical kitchen demo is often completed in 1–2 days, plus some time for debris hauling and cleanup. A full interior gut can take several days to a week, depending on size, access, and whether we encounter surprises like unpermitted work or hidden damage. We provide a realistic schedule after a site visit so you know when construction can start.
You don’t have to handle debris unless you want to. We usually include debris removal in our demo scope, using roll‑off bins or trucks to haul materials to approved facilities. In the Bay Area, many dumps require separation and recycling, and we manage that as part of the project.
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.