The Role Of Permits In Kentucky Demolition Projects
By Ben Raabe, CEO — Licensed Contractor | 25+ Years Experience Demolition projects in Kentucky, from a single family house to a commercial building, require the right permit before work begins. The permit process protects worker and public safety and confirms the contractor is properly insured. Below, Bella Contracting Services breaks down when a Kentucky […]
A History Of The Detroit Demolition Program
By Ben Raabe, CEO — Licensed Contractor | 25+ Years Experience Detroit’s demolition program began in 2014, not decades earlier — a distinction worth getting right, since the scale of what’s happened since is the actual story. Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration inherited a city facing 45,000 vacant Land Bank-owned homes, funded an initial push with […]
NYC Building Demolition Permits by Year: 2015–2024 Data and Borough Breakdown
By Ben Raabe, CEO — Licensed Contractor | 25+ Years Experience New York City issued 1,039 initial demolition permits citywide in 2024, down 27 percent from the 2022 peak of 1,538, according to the NYC Department of Buildings. Brooklyn led all five boroughs with 1,174 permits in 2024 and has held that position every year […]
Regulatory Requirements For Demolition In Detroit
By Ben Raabe, CEO | Licensed Contractor | 25+ Years Experience Demolition in Detroit runs through three separate regulatory tracks that all have to clear before a crew can start work: a wrecking permit from the city’s Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), asbestos notification through the state’s Air Quality Division, and OSHA’s Subpart […]
Understanding The Difference Between Demolition & Excavation
Most commercial construction projects require both demolition and excavation — but they are not the same thing, and confusing them creates real planning problems. Demolition removes what is above ground: structures, buildings, and existing improvements. Excavation removes what is below ground: soil, rock, and subsurface material to prepare a site for new construction. Knowing which […]
Ensuring Optimal Bridge Demolition Safety: Modern Techniques & Best Practices
Bridge demolition is one of the most technically demanding jobs in the heavy demolition industry. Unlike standard structural teardowns, bridges carry unique risk profiles: working over water or active roadways, managing prestressed concrete and steel tension members, coordinating with transportation authorities, and protecting the public from falling debris across a wide horizontal footprint. Bella Contracting […]
What Is Mechanical Demolition?
There’s more than one way to knock down a building. In New Jersey, mechanical demolition is one of the most commonly used demolition methods. Here at Bella Contracting, we have well over a decade of experience in mechanical demolition. We have a team of 45 demolition experts, overseen by 4 veteran chief operating field supervisors. […]
A Guide To Disconnecting Utilities Before Demolition In New Jersey
By Ben Raabe, CEO — Licensed Contractor | 25+ Years Experience New Jersey doesn’t leave utility disconnection to good practice alone: it’s a permit condition. Under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17, a demolition permit cannot be issued until releases are obtained from every utility that provided service to the property, confirming their equipment has been removed, sealed, or […]
Navigating New York City’s Challenging Demolition Permitting Process
By Ben Raabe, CEO — Licensed Contractor | 25+ Years Experience New York City’s demolition permitting process is among the most complex in the country, requiring multi-agency approvals, environmental clearances, and community coordination before a single wall comes down. From extensive documentation to community input, securing a demolition permit involves many steps. Here’s what you […]
Mastering Hotel Construction Cost Planning & Budgeting Strategy: Your Essential Guide
By Ben Raabe, CEO — Licensed Contractor | 25+ Years Experience Hotel construction is one of the most capital-intensive projects in commercial development. A limited-service property can clear $167,000 per room. A full-service hotel frequently runs past $409,000 per key. Luxury properties now routinely exceed $1 million per room, with some flagship urban projects crossing […]