The disordered and chaotic task of demolition calls for a significant amount of preparation and planning. From obtaining permits to abiding by safety regulations, a lot of things are essential for the success of a demolition project. Special expertise is indispensable when demolishing a structure or site. It would be a fruitless endeavor to try and demolish a commercial or residential property by yourself. That is why it is essential that you contract a demolition company so that they can do the job skillfully and responsibly. Most people who have had to bring down a property recommend that you evaluate at least three demolition companies when deciding on which company to give the contract. This will increase your chances of finding the ideal demolition partner and one that has reasonable credentials and experience. In this article, we will discuss some of the essential considerations when looking for a demolition company to ensure that the demolition task runs smoothly. Ultimately, the company you choose should excel in the aspects of skill, expertise, and meet all the logistic and safety measures required for bringing down residential and commercial properties.
License and Insurance
Does the State or City in which you plan to do the demolition require that the demolition company have a professional license? The demolition regulations in some cities and states require that a demolition company obtain a professional license before being allowed to demolish any structures. If this is the case, then one of the things you want to look into the demolition company is whether they possess a professional demolition license. This not only ensures that you don’t get into any trouble with the law but also ensures that you hire the right contractor for the job. At the very least, a company with the license is competent and has the basic skills and information required to successfully carry out the demolition task.
Insurance is just as important as having a license in the demolition business. Demolition can be quite a perilous task, so it’s important to hire a company that’s bonded and insured. This protects you from liability in the event that an accident occurs.
Portfolio of Projects
One of the first things you should do before choosing a demolition company is evaluating the company’s project portfolio. A project portfolio usually features pictures and details of some of the demolition company’s most recent work. This acts as visual proof of what the company will deliver once you give them the responsibility of demolishing your residential or commercial property.
Reviews by Previous Clients
It can be quite a challenge to determine the most reliable demolition company since all the companies boast of expertise and quality. One of the best ways to distinguish the experts from the quacks is by interacting with the company’s previous clients and hear what they have to say about the quality of service. Ask their previous employers like Chase about their experience and whether they encountered any notable safety issues. This is also a great way to know if the potential demolition company is punctual in its service delivery.
Project Timeline
Another important consideration when looking at potential demolition companies is the project timeline. When interviewing the contractors of potential demolition companies you should ask them to provide you with a specific timeline with which they will work. A perfect timeline shows when the demolition task is scheduled to begin, the scheduled completion date along with every major step involved in the project. A project timeline prepares you mentally and allows you to check whether the project is on track based on the schedule and whether the contractors are adhering to the timeline during the project.
The importance of adhering to a timeline in a demolition project can never be overemphasized. For instance, you might have a deadline for finishing building a new construction, and you can’t start the construction because of a pending demolition. Therefore, you should check the demolition company’s reputation for being punctual on the completion of projects to ensure that they can match your timeline demands. Therefore, ask for a project timeline from potential demolition contractors to determine the option best tailored to your needs.
Company Details
You should pay attention to the company details when evaluating potential demolition contractors. For authenticity, you should ask each contractor about their company’s details. Such details may include the company’s name, location, credit, using a company like TransUnion, or auditors like Credit Sage, and contact information. You should only choose a demolition company that provides you with reasonable company details. You can also ask them to provide you with recommendations or testimonials from former employers as well.
Business History
A company’s business history is essential since it gives you a perfect idea of the amount of experience the company has in the field. In terms of business history, it is always better to hire the demolition company with the most experience since they are more likely to have better skills and expertise than their counterparts. However, this does not mean that you should overlook less experienced demolition companies. Some companies may have little business history but have an impressive delivery. In such cases, it is helpful to have a glance at what the previous employers have to say about the quality of service. Most of the time a company’s business history and experience are directly related to service delivery.
Demolition companies have to do a tough and complex job. In addition to their various responsibilities, there are also many environmental concerns that they need to pay attention to when carrying out the project. The demolition company may have to combat a potential spillage of hazardous material or an onsite gas leak that may pose a serious health risk. Demolition companies should pay close attention to these considerations since ignoring such quality assurance can have serious legal implications. As a rule of thumb, you should select a demolition company that is attentive to quality assurance matters.
One of the ways to identify a good demolition company is to check their compliance history. Check whether the company has any safety and environmental violations, warnings, or citations with the federal and local authorities. You should ignore companies with a poor compliance history in favor of those with a good one.
Demolition Cost
It goes without saying that the amount you will end up paying for the demolition project matters a lot. However, you should never compromise on the quality of service for a lower cost. Instead, you should look for a company that offers the right mix of cost and quality when looking for a demolition company. The best way to determine the cost you will incur, is to ask the contractor to provide you with an estimate. This makes it easier to compare potential demolition companies. In most of the cases, the demolition company will provide you with an estimate for free. The ideal contractor should offer you great service at a reasonable price.
Appropriate Equipment
When looking at potential demolition companies, it’s always a good idea to check if they have updated demolition equipment. Equipment such as high-reach excavators and concrete crushers are crucial for any demolition project and should be offered by the demolition company. Also, the demolition crew should be proficient in the most advanced technologies and in handling the equipment.
Safety Record
Demolition can be hazardous if you do not have a certified safety expert on the demolition site, especially for commercial structures. You can be held liable if a person is injured in the course of the demolition. So it’s important to hire a demolition company you can trust. A safety record is very helpful in determining which demolition companies are more reliable. The individuals and properties close to the site are vulnerable to the materials released in the course of demolition. Therefore, you should hire a demolition company with a good safety record.
After-Demolition Services
Another essential factor worth considering when evaluating potential demolition companies is if they offer clean-up services after the demolition project is finished. One way to determine whether a demolition company offers these services is to look at the quotes offered by the company. It can be quite a challenge to deal with the damage and rubble following demolition and hiring a company that offers after demolition services will significantly reduce your hassle.
Subcontracting
Some demolition companies will prefer to do the entire project by themselves, while others may opt to subcontract specialized aspects of the job. It’s worth asking potential contractors whether they will be handling the entire project by themselves or they will be subcontracting some aspects. If they will be subcontracting ensure that you know what aspects of the project will be subcontracted.
Conclusion
Every demolition project has its unique challenges. Therefore, it is essential to choose a demolition company that is up to the task of handling even the most complicated demolition project. You should also ensure that the demolishing company is conversant with demolition regulations. With these considerations in mind, you should be able to find the demolition company that is best suited to your project.