Home Additions, Framing, Demolition & Excavation Contractors in Toronto

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Key Questions to Ask Demolition Contractors Before Hiring

demolition contractors TorontoDemolishing 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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When a Demolition Contractor Might Be Your Best Option

If you own or have purchased an older house – perhaps one whose previous owner wasn’t scrupulous when it came to maintenance – you may be facing the tough choice between attempting a renovation and simply demolishing and starting over from scratch. This can be a particularly hard decision to make if the house has certain design or material aspects you find appealing or is one that’s been in the family for some time.

Calling the Demolition Contractor

There are many factors that contribute to the decision to hire a demolition contractor. Some of them personal, some pragmatic and some simply out of your control. In general though the decision can be justified…

  • When the Cost of Renovation is Simply Prohibitive – You may wish with all of your heart that you could preserve that Second Empire Victorian as is but poor maintenance may have left it in such a state that renovation would cost considerably more than simply starting from scratch.
  • If You Just Don’t Have the Time or Inclination to Oversee a Lengthy Renovation – Renovating an older home is a far more involved process than something like basement underpinning. If your lifestyle leaves you with little free time to oversee the myriad details of a home renovation you may want to go with a demolition and rebuild. Oftentimes it’s simply easier.
  • If Yours is Clearly the Sad-Sack House of the Neighbourhood – If your home’s value is a fraction of that enjoyed by the homes that surround it, no manner of renovation will likely restore it to value parity and it may be time to call a demolition contractor.
  • If You Bought the Lot and Not the House – Some folks will purchase a lot not taking more than a cursory glance at the house occupying it. That’s because their intention all along was to build from scratch, they simply couldn’t find an empty lot in their preferred neighbourhood. If this is you, you’ll be calling the demolition contractor before the ink on the purchase agreement is dry.
  • If Your Required Additions Will Cost More Than a Rebuild – Expanding families need more space. Sometimes however the cost of home additions can exceed the cost of simply tearing down and rebuilding. This is particularly true of smaller homes.
  • And Speaking of Smaller Homes… – Smaller homes tend not to be the best candidates for additions to begin with since they were designed around certain visual parameters and tacking a large addition onto the home can give it a strange, unbalanced appearance.

There are any number of circumstances that call for the hiring of a demolition contractor. But before you go ahead and hire one make sure the house is not protected by a heritage listing or other special designation. You could wind up in considerable hot water demolishing a home the government considers to be of historical value. You may also be constrained by land use rules or local building codes that restrict what can be built on the property and which negate your carefully crafted plans. So don’t take chances; always make sure to practice due diligence before proceeding with a demolition.

Integrity Contracting is known for quality work, honesty and professional results that increase value to our customer’s properties.  We know we can provide you with answers and solutions to your projects needs; we are qualified, licensed professionals – proven & trustworthy – who always deliver projects on time and on budget. We specialize in Home Additions, Framing, Basement Underpinning, Demolition and Excavation in Toronto. Visit us on Google+.