Mike is very capable of doing all your forestry needs. Cleared property for my garage and i’m very happy with the outcome
ML BLAKE EARTHWORKS
Class A Contractor
ML BLAKE EARTHWORKS
Class A Contractor
Hampton Roads is one of Virginia’s largest and most complex built environments — a metro region of nearly two million people spanning seven independent cities, a patchwork of coastal flood zones, aging urban housing stock, active waterfront properties, and some of the densest suburban development on the East Coast. Demolition work here isn’t one-size-fits-all. A teardown in flood-prone Norfolk requires a different approach than a ranch-home demo in Chesapeake. A commercial structure removal in Portsmouth brings different permitting considerations than a residential teardown in Virginia Beach.
ML Blake Earthworks is a Class A licensed and fully insured demolition contractor serving the Hampton Roads metro from our base in Gloucester, VA. We bring the equipment, credentials, and full-sitework capability to handle projects across the region — residential teardowns, coastal structure removal, commercial demolition, and flood zone site preparation — with a level of coordination and professionalism that one-truck operators in this market simply can’t match.
We don’t subcontract the heavy work to a third party, and we don’t disappear after the structure comes down. Debris removal, site grading, and project handoff are all part of how we operate. Whether you’re in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, or Portsmouth — we cover it, and we handle the permit process for each jurisdiction.
ML Blake Earthworks prioritizes responsible waste management, recycling debris, and utilizing the latest technology to minimize environmental impact. Our team specializes in building demolition, structural removals, and heavy machinery demolition, ensuring that your project meets safety regulations and sustainability standards.
We handle the full range of demolition work for homeowners, developers, real estate investors, commercial clients, and property managers throughout the Hampton Roads metro.
1
We assess the property, identify potential challenges, and develop a customized demolition strategy tailored to the project’s needs.
2
Our team secures the necessary permits and adheres to all local demolition regulations to guarantee a safe and legal demolition process.
3
Using the right equipment, we carry out demolitions safely and efficiently while minimizing disruptions to surrounding areas.
4
Post-demolition, we handle debris hauling, concrete removal, and material recycling, ensuring the site is clean and ready for future development.
Virginia's highest contractor classification — required for the full scope of demolition, sitework, and site preparation we perform. Many operators in the Hampton Roads market work under limited licenses or none at all. Ours covers the complete project.
Hampton Roads isn't one permit office — it's seven independent cities, each with its own building department, code interpretations, and inspection processes. We've worked across them all and know how to keep projects moving without bureaucratic delays.
Coastal demolition in Hampton Roads requires familiarity with FEMA flood zone designations, elevation certificate considerations, and the specific documentation some jurisdictions require for demolition in AE, VE, and X zones. This isn't something every contractor navigates confidently. We do.
Our shoreline restoration work gives us hands-on experience with coastal properties, water-adjacent access challenges, and the environmental considerations that come with demolition near tidal waterways. That experience transfers directly to waterfront demo projects throughout Hampton Roads.
Demolition, grading, concrete, land clearing, site prep — we handle all of it. For Hampton Roads developers and investors managing tight timelines, having one contractor carry the full scope from teardown to build-ready is a meaningful operational advantage.
Mike is very capable of doing all your forestry needs. Cleared property for my garage and i’m very happy with the outcome
I recently hired M.L. Blake Earthworks to dig the foundation and pour concrete for my husbands shop, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! From start to finish, the team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise.
They arrived on time, worked efficiently, and truly paid attention to detail throughout the entire process. The foundation was dug precisely to specifications, and the concrete pouring was done flawlessly. The quality of their work is evident, and I have every confidence that my shop is built on a solid foundation.
I recently had M.L. Blake Earthworks install a driveway at my home, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! From the initial consultation to the final touches, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive to my needs.
They took the time to understand what I wanted and offered valuable suggestions that improved the overall design. The quality of their work is outstanding; the driveway looks fantastic and has truly enhanced the curb appeal of my home. Will certainly use them again in the future!!
We have lived on a 20 acre heavily wooded piece of property for 27 years. We have wanted to open it up a bit for a long time. I have been monitoring ads for forestry mulching and contacted Mike Blake if M.L. Blake Earthworks. He responded quickly and came out and gave me an estimate for what I was looking to do. His estimate came in less than what I was expecting.
Mike came out this past week and forestry mulched about 2.5 to 3 acres in front of our home and our two side yards. The result exceeded my expectations and while we still have a forested lot, we now have a beautiful park like setting while preserving a buffer to the street and our neighbors. It was a four day effort.
I also had some logs left over from taking 6 trees down in my horse paddock. I thought I was going to be able to get rid of them as firewood for anyone who needed but had no takers. Mike offered to mulch them up at no separate charge.
Mike did an awesome job and we are extremely happy with our new park like setting. I highly recommend Mike and M.L. Earthworks if you have a similar project.
I’ve worked with Mike and his team for well over a year now, and can’t say enough good things about them. From all our clients new construction site work to some of clients needing minimal work done. Mike always has us covered. From anything from site work, lot clearing, pretty much anything from dirt to trees he has you covered!
I can’t say enough about M.L. Blake Earthworks. Michael and his crew went the extra mile every single day for me. They cleared off 3+ almost 4 acres at my property that was a complete mess, regraded a bad spot from the previous owner that was continuously washing out, and are currently helping with a concrete pad for my new shop. Great communication and definitely priced right and highly recommended them to everyone.
See more or leave us a review.
We provide demolition services throughout the Hampton Roads metro, including all seven independent cities and surrounding areas:
Virginia Beach · Norfolk · Chesapeake · Suffolk · Hampton · Newport News · Portsmouth · Isle of Wight County · York County · Poquoson · James City County · Williamsburg
Within those cities, we serve all neighbourhoods and zip codes — from the Oceanfront and Great Neck in Virginia Beach, to Ghent and Ocean View in Norfolk, to Great Bridge and South Norfolk in Chesapeake, to Smithfield in Isle of Wight.
– Gloucester
– Chesterfield
– Lancaster
– Kilmarnock
– Williamsburg
– Essex
– New Kent
– Reedville
– James City County
– Hampton Roads
– King William
When we’re on heavy equipment we may not be able to accept calls.
Please tell us about your project needs. We schedule consultations are your convenience if at all possible.
Describe the project, Location, Timeline for completion, Other important details. Please include a phone number where we can reach you and best time to call.
We will reach out and schedule a One-to-One Consultation approximately one hour in duration so that we can thoroughly understand your needs.
