What do you do when you want to rebuild your entire office building or commercial space? You, of course, construct a new one. For that, however, you must first get rid of the old building or establishment that’s already there, and to do so, you need to bring in contractors who specialize in commercial demolitions.
This, unfortunately, is easier said than done, as hiring contractors for commercial building demolition is a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. A successful demolition project will depend on the skills and experience of the contractor, as well as their tools.
Having established all that, let us now look into a few things you must do before you hire contractors for your commercial building demolition project.
Do Your Research
The first and most important step in hiring demolition contractors to bring down your commercial building is to do your research. Start by identifying potential contractors in your area and gathering information about their experience, skills, and reputation. You can do this by checking their website, reading reviews and testimonials from previous clients, and asking for referrals from other professionals in the industry.
Don’t worry if you haven’t worked with such contractors in your area before. You’re just a quick Google Search away from discovering these professionals around you.
It is also important to verify that the contractors you are considering are licensed, insured, and bonded. This will ensure that they have the necessary qualifications and protection to carry out the demolition work safely and efficiently. You can check the contractor’s license status with your state’s licensing board and verify their insurance coverage by requesting a copy of their certificate of insurance.
You might not get into legal trouble for hiring such a contractor, at least not if you didn’t know about their lack of a license or permit. However, these contractors are shady, and they might not do a good job with the demolition project.
Understand the Process
Always inquire about their approach to the demolition process before you get the contractors to start work. The best contractors will always have specific plans for each type of project.
Highly rated demolition contractor Five Points Excavating manages multiple such plans for each type of demotion project. For their concrete removal projects, they will always opt for either pressure bursting or hydraulic breakers. This depends on the concrete surface, what concrete breaking tools they prefer using, how long the concrete demolition project should take, and so on.
For commercial demolition projects, these top contractors have similar processes, which include everything from getting permits and clearing out the interiors to going ahead with the actual demolition and then clearing up the debris afterward. It’s in your best interest to know the game plan of your preferred contractor before you ask them to take on the project.
Ask for References
After narrowing down the list of your potential contractors, reach out to their previous clients and ask for their opinions regarding the contractors. This will help you get an idea regarding the contractor’s track record and the quality of their work. When you contact references, be sure to ask about the contractor’s communication skills, reliability, and professionalism.
You can always trust the contractor’s website and the testimonials there. However, getting in touch with the clients directly is never a bad idea as it can help you get answers to very specific questions regarding your contractor, like how fast they work, do they overcharge or not, whether there are any additional labor costs, etc.
Get Multiple Bids
Before making a final decision, make sure you’re getting bids from multiple contractors. This will allow you to compare pricing and services offered and ensure that you get the best possible demolition job for your money.
When reviewing bids, be sure to look beyond the bottom line and consider factors such as the contractor’s experience, equipment, and safety record. A lower bid may not necessarily be the best choice if it means sacrificing quality or safety. Thus, never opt for cheap if it’s not guaranteeing quality.
Once you have selected a contractor, it is important to review the contract carefully before signing. The contract should outline the scope of work, timeline, payment terms, and any warranties or guarantees offered by the contractor.
Be sure to read the demolition project contract carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear or if you have any concerns. It is also important to ensure that the contract includes provisions for safety measures, such as the use of personal protective equipment and compliance with OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration – regulations. After all, that’s been dealt with, sign that contract and get the contractor to start the demolition project of your commercial building.