Demolition projects can range from small, simple jobs to complicated undertakings that require sophisticated and detailed planning. Site conditions can vary significantly, and there is always a degree of imprecision to the wrecking of the building itself. For typical building demolition and site improvements the most common procedure is to use heavy mechanical equipment such as wrecking balls, excavation hoes, grapples, pulverizers, crushers, and hydraulic breakers and shears. Several factors need to be considered prior to and during demolition, including the scheduling of demolition activities, protecting the site (especially important with occupied structures), and dealing with hazardous materials.

This topic includes information related to structure moving. Relocating a structure is the act of physically moving a structure from one location to another. Structures can be disassembled and then reassembled or lifted and transported. Buildings have been moved for any number of reasons, historic buildings are commonly moved to preserve the interest of an existing building that has outlived it's current location due to redevelopment.

This topic includes information related to removal and salvage of construction materials. Prior to demolition or renovation of an existing structure materials in a building can be salvaged. Salvaging materials/equipment involves there removal from an existing structure, repair and storage. Salvaged materials may be reinstalled by an owner or sold and reused in a different building. The act of salvaging reduces waste.

This topic includes information related to demolition. Demolition can be either selective, partial or complete removal of a structure and/or site elements. Depending on the size and scope of a demolition, tearing down may involve careful deconstruction by hand, destruction by fire, mechanical equipment or explosive implosion.