OK, so you think it’s finally time to take down that ramshackle barn, or that crumbling factory, on your commercial property. Maybe you want to build a dream home, but there’s an old house on your land from the 1950s. You need to find a top-rated demolition service near you. But where do you start?
You can start by thinking about the scope of your project. Things like the structure itself, its size, whether it contains any hazardous materials, its geographical situation, and anything else that may be unique to your demolition goals.
Jot down your list of questions for the demolition contractor such as, “Do you handle commercial and residential buildings?” “How far would you travel?” “Are you fully licensed and insured?” You can start with these things to filter out those companies who are not in the running.
With your list of questions in hand, it’s time to find a few names of local demolition companies. You’ll want to talk to the project managers. As you chat, make notes and ask those questions that pop up on the spot. Before long you’ll get a feel for which companies would be a good fit.
Think about whether they sound like people you’d like to work with. Are they laid back or hyper? Friendly, responsible, knowledgable? Well-versed in safety and legal guidelines? Do they seem to take these things seriously?
Do you feel comfortable with the way they communicate with you? Are they eager to answer all your questions? Do they make you feel at ease?
This is important in case issues arise later on, during your project. You want a good and respectful working relationship.
When you have narrowed your list to just a few, you’ll want to start questioning them a little more seriously. You need to know where they are currently licensed, what is the extent of their insurance coverage, and what memberships they have in professional associations relevant to the demolition industry, such as the National Demolition Association.
Your commercial or residential demo company’s insurance should go beyond regular worker’s compensation. They need to cover all possible liabilities.
You can also ask about the equipment and techniques that would be used for your demolition project. These could include the types of machinery and the demolition methods the company would use. Do you feel these are suitable to your project’s requirements?
Remember to take notes on each company so you can do your comparisons at the end of your inquiries.
How can you go about assessing a demo contractor’s experience?
Ask to review their portfolio of past projects, and how many years they have been in business.
Most importantly, ask for actual references from previous clients. Do they mind if you contact them? These are the factors that may make your final choice obvious to you.
How about safety concerns?
The residential or commercial company you choose should be able to share with you definite safety protocols that they have in place. Please ensure that they follow OSHA regulations, and that they provide proper training to employees.
Want to learn a little more about demolition safety? Take a look at this article next: Fire In the Hole
Demolition contractors need to give workers regular updates to keep their training top of mind. All their safety equipment should be kept in perfect condition. The company should be inspected regularly and pass with colors flying.
Before you sign on the dotted line you should ask your frontrunners for accurate quotes that outline all costs involved, including labor, materials, disposal fees, and any potential additional charges. You don’t want any surprises!
Some other things you’ll want to nail down when speaking with your possible contenders could be:
Regarding the Pre-Planning Process, FastForwardConcreteCutting.com says, “Make sure that your demo contractors have planners who are highly trained and experienced and who follow an effective, proven process. This will greatly increase the quality of results that are achieved and the probability of you experiencing a high level of overall satisfaction.”
An Excusable Delay is one that allows the contractor an extension of time, compensation, or both. Why? Because these delays are out of the contractor’s control. The common excusable delays should be outlined in the construction contract.
Examples include: delays caused by weather, owner’s change orders, errors in specifications.
Inexcusable Delays are those where the contractor was entirely responsible for the delay. These are typically non-compensible.
Examples include: delays caused by late material shipment, poor planning, and quality issues.
Depending on the size and scope of your project you may want to have a qualified construction lawyer go over the contract with you.
It’s a smart idea to consult with a construction lawyer if you:
It’s also a good idea to ask who is responsible for obtaining the necessary permits.
Will there be a project manager onsite at all times?
Have you encountered situations where things have gone wrong in the past? How have you taken care of these unexpected situations? How do you prevent this situation from happening again?
An experienced demolition contractor will know where they fit in the industry and should be able to tell you where they stand in comparison to their competition in regards to price, experience, equipment, safety, track record, customer service, and other areas of importance.
We hope these tips will show you how to find the best demolition company in your area. If your project happens to be in or around the Greater Philadelphia area Delco Demolition would love to be your demolition team! With over 40 years experience in the field, Delco Demolition can take care of your entire project.
Get your list of questions ready, and give us a call today at 610-314-0990.
