Demolition Services in Markham — Tear-Downs, Garages, Decks

OCM Excavation & Construction is a demolition contractor working across Markham — from full house tear-downs in Unionville and Markham Village to garage, deck, shed, and pool removals in Berczy, Cathedraltown, Cornell, Greensborough, and Box Grove. We handle the permit pulls, the asbestos paperwork on pre-1990 builds, the tree protection plan under By-law 2023-164, and the haul-out under O. Reg. 406/19. For a site visit and written quote in Markham, call 416-317-3090.

What we demolish in Markham

Markham’s older neighbourhoods drive a steady flow of tear-down work. Many 1960s-1980s bungalows in Markham Village, Unionville, and Thornhill come down for custom rebuilds, and we handle the full scope on those jobs. Typical work in Markham:

• Full house tear-downs — bungalows, side-splits, and two-storeys cleared to grade for a new build
• Detached garages — single and double, slab removed, footings broken out
• Decks and sunrooms — wood, composite, or aluminum, posts pulled, holes backfilled
• Pools — inground concrete, vinyl, and fibreglass demolition with engineered backfill
• Sheds and accessory structures — wood, metal, and pre-fab
• Interior strip-outs — full gut to studs for renovations and additions
• Foundation and concrete removal — slabs, walkways, retaining walls

If you’re not sure whether your Markham project needs a full demolition permit or just a partial-removal permit, we sort that out with the City before we mobilize.

Asbestos on pre-1990 Markham homes

Anything built before about 1990 in Markham — and a lot of the original Unionville and Markham Village housing stock falls in this window — has to be screened for asbestos before demolition. That’s not an OCM rule, it’s Ontario Regulation 278/05 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Common asbestos-containing materials we flag: vermiculite attic insulation, drywall joint compound, 9×9 floor tiles, pipe wrap, popcorn ceilings, and exterior cement board.

We coordinate the Designated Substance Survey (DSS) before the machine ever rolls onto your Markham lot. If asbestos is present, a licensed abatement crew removes it under Type 1, 2, or 3 procedures before demolition starts. Skipping this step is how Markham tear-downs get shut down by the Ministry of Labour — we don’t take that risk on your job.

Permits, trees, and the City of Markham

Every full or partial demolition in Markham needs a Demolition Permit from Building Standards. We pull it on your behalf. Application package typically includes the survey, site plan showing what’s coming down, disconnect confirmations from Alectra (hydro), Enbridge (gas), and the Region of York (water), and the asbestos report on pre-1990 buildings.

Tree protection is the other Markham hot spot. Under Tree Preservation By-law 2023-164, any tree with a trunk diameter of 20 cm or larger at 1.37 m height is protected, and you need a permit to remove or injure it during demolition. Mature trees in Unionville’s heritage core and along the older streets in Markham Village get flagged constantly — we put fencing around the drip line before the excavator arrives and document it for the inspector.

Site Alteration By-law 2011-232 governs the soil and fill leaving your property, and we manifest the haul-out under O. Reg. 406/19 Excess Soil rules. East Markham — Box Grove, Cornell, and the Rouge corridor — sits inside TRCA-regulated land in places, which adds an Ontario Regulation 41/24 permit before any grading near the valley.

How we run a Markham demolition

1. Site visit and quote — we walk the lot, measure, flag asbestos suspects, and check access
2. Permits and disconnects — demolition permit, tree permit, utility shut-offs (typically 2-4 weeks in Markham)
3. Asbestos abatement — DSS first, abatement next, clearance certificate before machine work
4. Tree protection and hoarding — drip-line fencing, site fencing, dust controls
5. Mechanical demolition — most full Markham tear-downs run 1-3 days on the machine
6. Hauling and clean-up — sorted loads to licensed receivers, foundation broken out, lot cleared to grade
7. Final grade — rough grade left ready for the next trade or for your new-build dig

Why Markham homeowners and builders call OCM

We’re not a one-trick crew. Most Markham tear-downs flow straight into excavation for the new foundation, and we self-perform both — same project manager, same machines, no handoff gap. That’s why custom-home builders in Cathedraltown and infill investors in Unionville keep calling us back. If you also need the dig for the basement after the house comes down, see our Markham excavation page, and our full service area map covers the rest of the GTA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a demolition permit for a garage or deck in Markham?

Yes for a detached garage — Markham Building Standards treats it as a structure requiring a demolition permit. Decks attached to the house usually fall under the broader renovation or new-build permit if the deck is being replaced as part of a larger project. A standalone deck removal often does not, but we confirm with the City before quoting so you’re not exposed.

How long does a full house tear-down take in Markham?

Permits and disconnects typically run 2-4 weeks in Markham, asbestos abatement (if needed) adds 3-7 days, and the mechanical demolition itself is usually 1-3 days. Foundation removal, hauling, and rough grade add another 2-4 days. Plan on roughly 4-7 weeks from signed contract to a cleared, graded lot ready for excavation.

Is asbestos testing really required on every pre-1990 Markham home?

Yes. Ontario Regulation 278/05 requires a Designated Substance Survey before any demolition or major renovation. Markham Building Standards routinely asks for the report at permit application for pre-1990 buildings. Even on newer homes, materials like vinyl floor tile and joint compound can carry asbestos if the original build used remnant stock.

What about the trees on my Markham property?

Any tree 20 cm or larger in trunk diameter is protected under Markham Tree Preservation By-law 2023-164. If a tree is in the demolition path, we apply for the removal permit. If it’s staying, we install drip-line protection fencing before machines arrive. Heritage areas of Unionville carry additional review — we factor that into the schedule.

Where does the demolition debris go?

Clean wood, metal, concrete, and drywall get source-separated and sent to licensed recycling facilities — diversion rates on most Markham tear-downs run 60-75% by weight. Mixed waste goes to a licensed transfer station. Excess soil is tracked and manifested under Ontario Regulation 406/19, with receiving-site documentation kept on file.

Can OCM also dig the basement after the house comes down?

Yes — that’s most of our Markham demolition work. We tear down, haul, grade, then roll straight into the new excavation and foundation prep with the same crew and equipment. One contractor, one schedule, one point of accountability. It also tends to compress 1-2 weeks out of the overall timeline versus splitting the scope between two companies.

Get a free demolition quote in Markham

Call OCM Excavation & Construction at 416-317-3090 for a site visit anywhere in Markham — Unionville, Cathedraltown, Cornell, Berczy, Box Grove, Greensborough, Thornhill, or Markham Village. You can also request a written quote through our free GTA quote form. Tell us what’s coming down and when you need the lot cleared, and we’ll send you a fixed-price scope within a few business days.

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