Demolishing existing structures on a plot of land to make way for a new building or for certain types of home additions may sound like an easy task but it is one that must be carried out by experienced professionals to ensure it is completed safely, efficiently and at a reasonable cost. Whether you are a private homeowner who would like to demolish a residential property in order to make way for a brand new one, or a commercial developer who needs to clear a large plot in preparation for a new office block or other commercial building, there are a number of questions you should ask any demolition contractors with whom you are thinking of working. There may be other questions that you need to ask owing to your particular circumstances or requirements, but the ones that are listed below are those that we would recommend you ask, regardless of your individual circumstances or needs.
Finding the Best Demolition Contractors in Your Area
When you are talking to prospective contractors, remember to ask them all of the following questions before you consider putting them on your shortlist.
- Do You Have All the Necessary Permits? – In order to be able to legally operate in Toronto, or anywhere else in the country for that matter, demolition and excavation contractors need to have the correct permits and approvals from local authorities. Without these approvals and permits, it is not possible for a contractor to demolish any type of structure whilst staying within the law.
- How Much Experience Does the Demolition Team Have? – In order to work together safely and efficiently, as a cohesive unit, each member of the team needs to be familiar not only with their own responsibilities but those of their co-workers as well. It is therefore a very good idea to ascertain the amount of experience that demolition contractors have as a unit and not just as individuals.
- Is Disposal of Debris Included? – Disposing of the rubble that is left after demolishing a building or buildings may cost more than the actual demolition itself so you need to make sure that any quotations you receive cover the disposal of all waste materials. All reputable demolition contractors should include this cost so if you receive a quote that does not, it may be best to give that company a wide berth.
- What Kind of Equipment Do They Use? – A company that uses well-maintained, modern equipment will be able to complete your project in a safer and more efficient manner than one that relies on out-of-date machinery to get the job done. Make sure that the firms you are considering have good quality power tools and excavators at their disposal.
Before you make your final choice, you should ask for detailed quotations from all the firms with which you are thinking of doing business. When you have examined these at length, you can either make an even shorter list of demolition contractors or go ahead and choose the most competitive one that ticks all of the boxes above.