Bank Vault Removal: What to Expect
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Bank vault removal is a highly specialised task requiring precision, expert knowledge, and a deep understanding of structural and security features. Vaults are engineered to withstand extreme conditions and tampering attempts, which makes removing them a difficult task. Vaults are often embedded within a building’s structure, made of materials like concrete and steel, so removal needs to be safe and efficient. Attempting to remove bank vaults without professional support can lead to structural damage, safety hazards, and unexpected costs.
Banks and businesses remove vaults for various reasons, from renovations at the business premises to upgrading older vaults with advanced, secure models. Vault removal is also common when decommissioning or repurposing bank locations due to closures or relocations. Regardless of the reason, this complex process demands careful planning, expertise, and attention to costs – all of which we’ll explore in this guide.
Quick Links:
Vault removal process
Timelines for bank vault removal
Vault removal cost considerations
Safety measures and precautions
Choosing the right vault partner
The Vault Removal Process
Vault Assessment
The first step is to conduct an initial inspection to find out the vault’s size, structure, and exact location within the building. This allows us to understand the specific challenges presented by each vault to be removed. Working out its reinforcement level to how it’s embedded within the building’s structure. Careful planning at this stage is essential to ensure that removal can occur without compromising the building’s structural integrity. This requires precise techniques and measuring, we’ll often use a qualified surveyor to ensure maximum safety and adherence to building standards.
Disassembly and Dismantling of the Vault
Once the assessment and planning stages are complete, we can begin the process of disassembling and dismantling the vault. Each component, including the doors, locks, walls and interior elements can be carefully removed piece by piece. Vaults are built to be secure, with reinforced concrete and steel parts. This often requires specialised tools and lifting equipment to handle. Given that these materials are extremely heavy, safe handling is essential to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of everyone involved. We have specialist equipment to handle this type of work, many standard construction or demolition companies may underestimate the amount of work involved in this step.
Transport & Disposal
After the vault has been disassembled, the removed vault materials are transported off-site. We prioritise responsible disposal, often opting for eco-friendly solutions such as recycling the metal and concrete elements wherever possible. This reduces the environmental impact but also allows materials to be reused. Transporting such heavy-duty components requires logistical planning and specialised vehicles to handle the weight – we have access to state-of-the-art equipment including a remote-controlled tracked robot, capable of carrying heavy items across different terrain. This is particularly useful as many vaults are located in a basement or in the lower areas of a building.
Timeline for Bank Vault Removal
It’s hard to say just how long this would take as the timeline for removing a bank vault can vary significantly depending on the vault’s size, complexity, and location. Smaller vaults or those with straightforward access may be dismantled and removed in as little as two to three days. However, larger or more intricately installed vaults—especially those embedded within basements or load-bearing walls—can require several weeks to safely remove. Our process would be to complete a full site survey to fully understand the details of the removal process and then give our clients an estimated timeline. As with all jobs sometimes unexpected hazards occur during the process which can add delays.
Factors Affecting the Duration
Several factors influence how long the process takes, including:
- Vault Size and Construction: Larger vaults or those constructed with higher levels of reinforcement take longer to dismantle due to the additional weight and materials involved.
- Building Location and Access: Restricted or difficult access areas, such as basements or upper floors, can extend timelines due to the requirement of manoeuvring heavy materials through stairs, lifts, or narrow corridors.
- Potential Obstacles: Structural challenges like reinforced walls, limited removal routes, or the need for protective measures to preserve the building’s integrity can add time.
Minimising Disruption
Clear communication between the removal team and the business is vital for keeping the process on schedule and minimising disruptions to daily operations. Our process is to work closely with clients to plan removal during non-peak hours so the business can continue functioning smoothly. Proper planning not only reduces downtime but also avoids unexpected delays, keeping the project on track and within the estimated timeframe.
Vault Removal Costs Considerations
When thinking about having a bank vault removed, you’ll want a rough idea of the costs. Understanding the factors that impact costs is essential. At Trident Safes, we provide customised quotes tailored to the specific needs of each project, but some key elements influence pricing.
Factors Impacting Cost
- Vault Size and Weight: Larger, more heavily reinforced vaults require more time, specialised tools, and manpower to dismantle and remove, which can increase costs.
- Location Within the Building: Ground-level vaults are typically less expensive to remove compared to those located in basements or upper floors, which may involve additional logistical challenges like navigating stairs or using cranes/HIABs to remove vault pieces.
- Distance to Disposal or New Installation Site: Transportation costs vary depending on how far the removed materials need to travel, whether for disposal, recycling, or installation at a new location.
Average Costs
Depending on the job a typical vault removal costs typically range from £5,000 to £20,000, depending on size and complexity. Smaller vaults or vault door-only removals might be lower, while larger vaults with reinforced walls or difficult access locations are closer to the higher end.
Potential Add-Ons that might increase costs:
- Site Repairs After Removal: If the vault was embedded in walls or floors, additional costs may apply for repairing and restoring these areas to be functional.
- Partial Removal (e.g., Vault Door Only): For businesses looking to retain the structure but remove the door, we offer this service at a reduced cost compared to full vault removal.
We prioritise transparency and where possible provide clear estimates upfront, ensuring there are no surprises during the process.
Safety Measures and Precautions
Vault removal involves handling heavy, reinforced materials like steel and concrete, meaning safety needs to be a top priority. This is why vault removal should only be carried out by certified professionals, minimising risks to workers and property.
At the start of the process, structural assessments are critical to ensure the building’s integrity during the vault extraction, especially for vaults embedded in load-bearing walls or sensitive areas like basements.
Older vaults may contain hazardous materials, such as asbestos, requiring specialised handling and disposal. It’s important to follow strict safety and environmental regulations, ensuring the process is secure and compliant from start to finish.
Choosing the Right Vault Removal Partner
Selecting the right company ensures a safe and efficient vault removal process. Look for experienced professionals with proven expertise, certifications, and robust safety protocols. A reliable partner should offer clear communication, detailed cost estimates, and tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.
With Trident Safes, we have years of experience with safe and vault removal, see some of our recent projects including removing a vault from an ex bank and a vault installation for a pharmaceutical company.
Contact us today to discuss your project and let our team guide you through every step of the process. Trust Trident Safes to handle your vault removal with professionalism and precision.
