You need a demo contractor who gets DC. Really gets it.

Not just someone who can swing a wrecking ball, but someone who knows why you can't start hammering before 7am in Georgetown (those neighbors will call). Someone who's dealt with DCRA's permit office enough times to know which line moves fastest. At BBCDC Construction & General Contractors, that's exactly what you're getting—plus EPA certification for lead paint (NAT-F254732-1), which you absolutely need for any pre-1978 building in this city.

We're based right here in Columbia Heights, 13th Street NW. DC Certified Business Enterprise. Not some outfit from Maryland pretending to know the District.

Look, demolition in the Washington Metropolitan Area isn't like demo anywhere else. You've got row houses sharing walls in Capitol Hill. Historic preservation breathing down your neck in Dupont. The State Department getting nervous whenever you're working near Embassy Row. And don't even get me started on trying to get a dumpster permit in Adams Morgan.

Professional Demolition Services Across the Washington Metropolitan Area

Here's the thing about demolition contractor Washington DC services—every neighborhood has its quirks. Shaw? Those old foundations go deeper than you'd think. Spring Valley? Clay soil that turns into a mud pit after half an inch of rain. Tenleytown? Hit bedrock faster than you can say "change order."

We work all over. DC proper, obviously. Arlington, Alexandria (Old Town's especially tricky with those historic districts). Bethesda, Silver Spring, even out to Rockville when needed. Each area's got its own personality. And its own regulations.

The real challenge? Your neighbors. In a city where houses touch and everyone's got an opinion, you better believe minimizing disruption matters. Nobody wants to be that contractor whose truck blocks the alley during rush hour.

Comprehensive Demolition Solutions for Every Project

Complete Site Demolition

Total teardown. Sounds simple, right?

Wrong. You're dealing with Pepco lines that might be older than your grandmother. Washington Gas mains that aren't where the maps say they are. (Trust me on that one.) Storm drains that connect to god-knows-where. And that's before we even talk about permits.

Complete demo means coordinating everything. Utility disconnects—schedule those wrong and you're waiting three weeks. DCRA inspections. Sometimes DOEE gets involved if you're near a waterway. We handle Victorian mansions in Cleveland Park and glass office buildings in Rosslyn with the same attention to detail. Though honestly, those old Victorians are usually more interesting. Learn more about our construction services if you're planning to build after demo.

Selective & Interior Demolition

This is where things get surgical. You want to gut the third floor but keep the law firm on the second floor happy? That takes finesse.

Selective demo in DC is an art form. Half the time you're working in a building that's got some kind of historic designation. The Historic Preservation Review Board doesn't mess around—you remove the wrong piece of crown molding and suddenly you're in a world of hurt. We use dust barriers that actually work (not just plastic sheeting and hope). Noise control that means more than "we'll try to keep it down."

Occupied buildings are our specialty. We know you can't shut down operations. So we work nights, weekends, whatever it takes. Just remember—overtime costs more, but sometimes that's cheaper than losing tenants.

Concrete Breaking & Foundation Work

DC's underground is a nightmare. I mean that affectionately, but still.

You've got 100-year-old sewer lines. Abandoned streetcar tracks (yeah, they're still down there). Foundation walls that previous contractors filled with whatever rubble they had handy. Breaking concrete in Brookland isn't the same as breaking concrete in Palisades. Different soil, different water table, different problems.

We've got the equipment—hydraulic breakers, diamond saws, the works. More importantly, we know when NOT to use them. Like when you're too close to a Metro tunnel. (Red Line construction in the '70s left some surprises nobody talks about.)

Disposal's another issue. Can't just dump concrete anywhere. We work with facilities that actually recycle it. Turns into road base, usually. Circle of life, construction style.

Multi-Story & Industrial Demolition

Big buildings, big challenges. Big insurance requirements too.

Multi-story demo near Union Station? You're coordinating with Amtrak, Metro, probably Capitol Police depending how close you are. Industrial sites in Northeast? Environmental assessments that'll make your head spin. That old warehouse might've stored anything from textiles to chemicals over the years.

We handle the scrap metal recycling—and yeah, when copper prices are up, that actually offsets some demo costs. Our federal CAGE code (8MRD4) means we can work government properties too. Different animal entirely. More paperwork, stricter protocols, but the checks clear on time.

Why Choose BBCDC for Your Washington DC Demolition Project

Local Expertise & Certifications

Certifications matter. EPA RRP for lead—that's non-negotiable in a city full of old buildings. DC CBE status helps with local contracts. But honestly? What matters more is knowing this city.

Knowing which inspector's a stickler for erosion barriers. Understanding that you can't get a dumpster on P Street during diplomatic motorcade season. Recognizing when that "simple" rowhouse demo is about to become complicated because nobody mentioned the shared chimney with next door.

We know where to get equipment at 6am when something breaks. (Because something always breaks.) Which disposal facilities take what materials. How to route trucks when there's a Nationals game, or protests downtown, or both. That's the stuff that keeps your project moving.

Safety & Environmental Commitment

Free site visit. No obligation. (Though once we start talking demo, you'll probably want to hire us.)

We'll walk your property. Check access—can we get a machine in that alley? Look for hidden surprises—is that addition actually attached to the main structure? Review any plans you've got, though half the time the building wasn't built to plan anyway.

Permit strategy matters. DCRA's online system is improving.. But knowing whether you need a raze permit versus a demolition permit, whether you're in a historic district, if you need separate permits for the garage—that knowledge saves weeks. We'll put together a real timeline. Not a fantasy where permits appear overnight and it never rains.

The BBCDC Demolition Process

Initial Consultation & Planning

Free site visit. No obligation. (Though once we start talking demo, you'll probably want to hire us.)

We'll walk your property. Check access—can we get a machine in that alley? Look for hidden surprises—is that addition actually attached to the main structure? Review any plans you've got, though half the time the building wasn't built to plan anyway.

Permit strategy matters. DCRA's online system is improving.. But knowing whether you need a raze permit versus a demolition permit, whether you're in a historic district, if you need separate permits for the garage—that knowledge saves weeks. We'll put together a real timeline. Not a fantasy where permits appear overnight and it never rains.

Whether it's one room or a whole building as part of our construction services, we do it right.

Execution & Project Management

You get one project manager. Same person, start to finish. None of this "your call is important to us" runaround.

Daily updates if you want them. Weekly if you don't. We track everything—hours, loads hauled, unexpected conditions. Speaking of unexpected, they happen. That's why our contracts include clear change order procedures. No surprises on the final invoice.

We manage the neighbors too. A courtesy knock before we start. Business cards under doors. Quick response to complaints. Amazing how much smoother jobs go when you don't tick off the whole block.

Cleanup & Site Preparation

Demo's not done till the site's clean. Period.

That means every last piece of debris hauled away. Proper grading—water should flow away from neighboring properties, not toward them. Erosion control that actually works through a thunderstorm. (DC storms don't play around.)

Final inspections documented. Disposal receipts filed. Everything you need for the next phase, whether that's with us or another contractor. Though honestly, after you see how we handle demo, you'll probably want us for construction too.

Serving Washington DC's Diverse Demolition Needs

Residential Demolition

Your house. Your biggest investment. We get it.

Whether you're tearing down that sketchy addition in Takoma or finally dealing with the garage that's been falling down since you bought the place in Wesley Heights, residential demo needs a different touch. Smaller equipment that won't destroy your lawn. Crews that understand this is your home, not just another job site.

Row house demo? That's expert level. Shared walls mean vibration monitoring. Party wall agreements. Making absolutely sure we're only removing YOUR roof joists. We've seen too many contractors learn that lesson the hard way.

Commercial & Government Projects

Commercial clients need flexibility. Restaurant in Dupont needs gutting? We'll work nights. Office building near Farragut? Weekends it is.

Government contracts are their own beast. More documentation. Security clearances sometimes. Specific insurance requirements that'd make your head spin. But we're set up for it. DBE status helps with set-asides. Plus, payment's reliable. Eventually.

Get Started with Your Demolition Project Today

Enough talk. You've got a building that needs to come down, we've got the crews and equipment to do it right.

Call us at (202) 350-0344. You’ll get a real person who answers, not some call center. Our office at 3418 13th St NW is right in the thick of things—swing by if you want to talk in person. We'll set up a site visit, usually within 48 hours unless it's cherry blossom season and the city's gone crazy.

Free consultation, detailed proposal, honest timelines. No BS about "two-week permits" when we know it'll take six. You need emergency demo after storm damage? We can mobilize same day. Planning a big redevelopment? Let's talk strategy before you commit to architects' dreams that'll blow your budget.

Bottom line—demolition in the Washington DC area takes local knowledge, proper certifications, and crews who show up when they say they will. BBCDC brings all three. Give us a call. Let's tear something down.