Common Demolition Mistakes That Delay Projects in Boston

In Boston, demolition delays usually do not happen because someone swings a hammer wrong.

They happen because one small item gets missed early and it snowballs. A permit is started late. A utility shutoff is not scheduled. A hidden material triggers a required notice. A neighbor complains about dust because nobody planned containment. Then everyone is stuck waiting.

If you are planning a commercial renovation, a tenant fit out, or an interior teardown in East Boston, this post will walk you through the most common mistakes that cause delays and how to avoid them without turning your project into a paperwork nightmare.

If you want to see what Allied Wrecking handles day to day, these topics connect directly to our Commercial and Industrial Demolition work and our Interior Demolition services.

Mistake 1: Starting permits after the schedule is already set

This is the big one.

Boston’s demolition permit process has specific documentation requirements, and it is easy to underestimate how many pieces need to be gathered before the city can approve the permit.

Many projects also need an Article 85 Demolition Delay filing through the Boston Landmarks Commission before demolition can move forward.

What to do instead

Start the permit conversation early, even if you are still finalizing scope. A good demolition contractor can help you identify which approvals may apply and what documents you will need so you are not scrambling a week before the start date.

Mistake 2: Not confirming whether Article 85 applies

This catches a lot of people off guard, especially on older buildings.

Boston requires an Article 85 application before demolishing a building in the city, and the Landmarks Commission uses a specific review process.

Even if your project is not a full teardown, it is smart to confirm early whether Article 85 is part of your path. Finding out late can push the timeline back and create friction with owners and stakeholders.

What to do instead

During your early planning, ask these questions:

1. Is the building old enough or significant enough to trigger Article 85 review

2. Has an Article 85 application already been submitted for this address

3. Is your scope interior only, or does it include exterior structural removal that changes the approval path

If your work is mainly inside the building, this is a natural point to link to Interior Demolition and Selective Demolition because those scopes often avoid a full building teardown but still require proper planning.

Mistake 3: Skipping hazardous materials planning

This is another common delay driver, especially in older Boston buildings where layers of materials have been added over time.

Massachusetts requires an AQ 06 Construction and Demolition Notification, and MassDEP notes that you may only begin work after the ten working day waiting period specified by the asbestos regulation.

If regulated materials are present, you cannot simply start demo and hope for the best. That creates stop work risk and can disrupt the entire renovation schedule.

What to do instead

Plan for a realistic pre demo sequence:

1. Consider the age of the building and likely materials

2. Arrange inspection when appropriate

3. Account for required notifications and waiting periods when they apply

4. Build a dust control and containment plan that fits the space and occupancy

This is also where a link to Concrete Cutting and Removal makes sense if your scope includes slab work, saw cutting, or any work that could stir up dust in occupied or adjacent areas.

Mistake 4: Treating debris and recycling as an afterthought

Massachusetts has waste disposal bans on several common construction and demolition materials, including asphalt pavement, brick, concrete, metal, wood, and clean gypsum wallboard.

If your plan does not include how materials will be sorted, hauled, and documented, you can get stuck mid project. Even when the demolition itself is moving fast, disposal bottlenecks can slow everything down.

What to do instead

Before work starts, your contractor should be clear on:

1. What will be separated on site

2. Where each material stream is going

3. How load out will work in a tight area like East Boston

4. What the finished condition of the site should be for the next trade

If your project includes heavy slab work or toppings, a natural internal link here is Floor Removal because disposal planning is a major part of that scope.

Mistake 5: Underestimating access, staging, and neighbor proximity

East Boston jobs often have limited space. That means every part of the plan needs to consider where people and materials will actually move.

If access is tight, you need to plan:

1. Dumpster placement and pickup timing

2. Debris routes inside the building

3. Elevator use or stair protection

4. Protection for common areas and neighboring tenants

When this is not planned, you lose time every day. Crews wait on clear paths. Tenants complain. Building management gets involved. Then the project slows down for reasons that have nothing to do with demolition skill.

What to do instead

During the site walk, document the real constraints and build the plan around them. It sounds obvious, but it is the difference between a smooth job and a daily argument.

Mistake 6: Doing demolition before you have the right trade coordination

Commercial and interior demolition is rarely a standalone task. It is the first domino. If your demolition contractor is not aligned with the general contractor, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC teams, you can easily remove the wrong thing or miss a chance to sequence work more efficiently.

Common coordination issues include:

1. Removing walls before temporary supports are planned

2. Cutting into slabs before utilities are verified

3. Demoing a space before shutoffs are confirmed

4. Leaving the site in a condition the next trade cannot use

What to do instead

Have a clear handoff definition before demolition starts. For example:

1. What does the GC want removed

2. What must remain protected

3. What areas need to be broom clean versus fully cleared

4. What the next crew needs access to immediately

If your renovation includes clearing the space for the next construction phase, this is a natural internal link to Site Preparation.

Mistake 7: Not having a clear plan for utility shutoffs and confirmations

Boston’s demolition permit guidance calls out the need for shutoff notices from utilities such as gas and electric.

If shutoffs are not scheduled, or if paperwork is missing, the job can pause even when everything else is ready.

What to do instead

Confirm utility steps early:

1. Which utilities must be shut off versus isolated

2. Who is responsible for scheduling

3. What documentation will be needed for the permit package

4. How shutoffs affect building operations if other tenants are present

A quick pre demo checklist that prevents most delays

Before you lock a start date, make sure you can answer yes to these:

1. Scope is clearly defined and documented

2. Permit path is confirmed with the City of Boston

3. Article 85 has been checked for this address

4. Hazardous materials planning is addressed, including any required notifications

5. Debris and recycling plan complies with Massachusetts waste disposal bans

6. Access and staging plan is realistic for the site

7. Trade coordination and handoff condition are defined

Frequently asked questions

What causes demolition delays most often in Boston

Permits started late, Article 85 surprises, and hazardous materials related waiting periods are the most common issues.

Do I always have to file an AQ 06 notification

MassDEP outlines when an AQ 06 Construction and Demolition Notification is required and notes the ten working day waiting period tied to asbestos regulations. Your specific scope and building type determine what applies.

What materials can I not throw away with regular demolition debris in Massachusetts

Massachusetts waste disposal bans include asphalt pavement, brick, concrete, metal, wood, and clean gypsum wallboard, among other materials.

Ready to keep your demolition schedule intact

A smooth demolition project in Boston is not luck. It is planning.

If you are preparing for a commercial renovation or interior teardown in East Boston, Allied Wrecking can help you map the process clearly so you avoid the common delays that hit most projects.

When you are ready, explore:

•  Commercial and Industrial Demolition

• Interior and Exterior Demolition

• Selective Demolition

•  Floor Removal

•  Concrete Cutting and Removal

•  Site Preparation