demolition contractors

13 entries have been tagged with demolition contractors.

What Do You Do if a Demolition Contractor Flakes on You?

This situation has come up multiple times. We’ve received several emails from customer who hire a demolition contractor for a job, like a swimming pool demolition, and they do maybe half the job. They tell the customer that they’ll be back tomorrow, or next weekend to finish the compaction and grading. Except they never show up to finish the job.

What do you do when a demolition contractor flake on you?

1. Call Your Demolition Contractor

Before escalating your complaint call your demolition contractor. Accidents do happen and life can interrupt at the worst possible time. It is entirely possible that a demolition contractor had problems with a piece of equipment, an injured worker, or even a personal emergency.

Give your demolition contractor an opportunity to fulfill his end of the contract. How long should you give a demolition contractor? If he or she seems responsive to your calls and has a legitimate excuse, a week or two. If a demolition contractor simply refuses to return your calls then you will want to escalate quickly.

2. Call the Better Business Bureau

Getting the Better Business Bureau involved in your situation is critical. Firstly, Better Business Bureau intervention often works to resolve a situation. Secondly, your laying a foundation for a possible court case.

By attempting to resolve your dispute through the Better Business Bureau and attempting to get your demolition contractor to finish the work he started.

3. Withhold Payment

Hopefully you have a fairly specific contract with your demolition contractor that includes a payment schedule. If you owe the demolition contractor anything, don’t pay it until he is willing and able to complete the work he finished.

4. File a Complaint with Your State’s Contractor Licensing Board

Every state has a licensing board or organization that licenses contractors, including demolition contractors. Find the proper licensing board that covers your state and file a complaint against your demolition contractor for failure to finish a job.

5. Court

If nothing else works your only other option is to sue your demolition contractor and bring them into court. You can either sue your demolition contractor in small claims court, or sue him in civil court. Which should you use? That largely depends upon how much money you are trying to get in damages. You should consult with the legal aid department at your courthouse to determine which type of legal action is correct for you.

Hopefully none of this will be necessary. If you’ve done your homework and picked a experienced, professional, and licensed demolition contractor you can avoid this particular pratfall. If you want to know more about demolition contractors go here.

Posted on May 30, 2013 at 11:29 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Company, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged demolition, demolition companies, demolition contractor, demolition contractors, demolition services, demolition tips.

How to Garage Demolition

Garage demolition is fairly straightforward. You will need a demolition permit, a large dumpster or waste bin, tools (pry bar, heavy hammer, circular saw) and safety equipment. You may also want to recruit help to assist you in a garage demolition.

1. Obtain the necessary demolition permits

Talk to your local building department and obtain the necessary permits. What type of permit will you need? Depends entirely on your city and the rules that govern garage demolition in your city and state.

2. Rent a Dumpster

Depending on the size of the garage you may need to rent a fairly larger dumpster. For most garages you need a dumpster in the 20 to 40 yard range.

3. Turn off Utilities

Make sure you turn off all utilities going to your garage, this includes electricity, water and gas. Remove the wires and switches leading from your house’s breaker box to the garage. Double check that the water (if applicable) has been turned off by opening up faucets. Double check that the power has been turned off by checking voltages on outlets and switches.

4. Remove Anything That Can Be Reused or Resold

Window treatments, window sills, and even windows themselves. Also plumbing and doors, outlets and switches, and lighting fixtures. Anything you want to save or resell. Make sure you put these things aside to one so they don’t get mixed in with the rubble. Also make sure you disassemble the garage door, garage door mechanism, and garage door opener.

5. Remove the Garage’s Roofing

Carefully, and using an assistant to steady your ladder, carefully remove the roofing materials from the roof. Start at the pinnacle and move downward, reducing the garage to its shell.

6. Remove the Wall Framing

Cut out the remaining shell using a circular saw and let it all fall into a pile.

7. Remove Construction Debris

Throw the construction debris you have on the ground into the dumpster. Once its full call the dumpster / roll off company and have the dumpster hauled away.

Posted on May 22, 2013 at 11:19 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Company, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged demolition, demolition company, demolition contractor, demolition contractors, demolition services, demolition tips, garage demolition.

Elements Every Contract with a Demolition Contractor Needs

Contracts exist to protect you and to protect your demolition contractors. Many people look on contracts as unnecessary. Why should I worry about a contract? I trust the guy. My common retort is, that’s exactly why you need a contract. Contracts spell out the Who, What, When, and Whys of a demolition contract. So what are some of the elements every contract with a demolition contractor needs?

1. Description of Work to Be Performed and a Time Frame

The description of work to be done by your demolition contractor is fairly obvious. This should be a fairly detailed section about what type of demolition work is to be done (i.e. pool demolition) and how it will be done. A time frame is simple an estimate of when a job will start (job will commence April 1, 2014) and when it will be completed (April 7, 2014). Some States in the U.S. require that all contingencies that could delay a job (bad weather for instance).

2. Payment Schedule

This is a section that spells out how a demolition contractor gets paid. Typically demolition contractors get paid in stages or tranches. I.E. a certain amount of money paid up front, a certain amount of money paid at the beginning of a project, a certain amount of money paid at the end of a project.

3. How Any Changes to the Work Will Be Handle

Typically contractors will require a dual signature on a work order to change any aspect of the demolition project. One from the contractor, one from the person who hired the contractor

4. Required Inclusions

Depending on the state there are certain required inclusions that must be included in every contract. Inclusions like warranties, resolution of disputes, and a notice of right to cancel. Check to see what inclusions are necessary in your state.

5. Choice of Law

A clause outlining a choice of law basically outlines how disputes will be handled should they arise, and whether and which court of law will handle a dispute.

You may wish to consult with a contract attorney before signing a full contract with your demolition contractor. Especially if you have a particularly intensive or complex demolition contract.

Posted on May 14, 2013 at 9:16 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Company, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged construction debris hauling, demolition, demolition companies, demolition company, demolition contractor, demolition contractors, demolition services.

5 Ways to Spot a Fake Review for a Demolition Company

One of the things we’ve harangued on constantly is the need to really closely examine your demolition contractor‘s reputation. There is a lot of competition for demolition jobs right now. And there are also a lot of small time scam artists operating as demolition contractors out there. One thing way you can check on a demolition contractor’s reputation is via internet review sites. But, whether you know it or not, internet reviews are not always accurate and sometimes are downright fakes.

Demolition contractors wh are desperate for business often will hire writers (either in the U.S. or overseas, mostly from India) to pump out hundreds of fake reviews to be posted on various review sites. Many demolition contractors will also ask their employees (or retain an employee full time) to write reviews for their company.

So how do you separate out the fake reviews from the real reviews?

1. Generalities

People who have had a specific experience generally speaking have very specific memories to go along with that experience. Think back to losing your virginity. How would you describe it if your life depended on it. Would all you have to say is, “Well I lost my virginity and it was great. Highly recommend!”? Probably not.

Generalities and brevity are your first clues when it comes to spotting fake demolition contractor reviews. Regardless of whether someone had a great experience or a terrible experience, they’ll probably go into some fairly deep and sharp specifics relating to their experience with that particular demo contractors. A person who just had their pool removed and had a good enough experience to warrant taking the time to write a review will have more to say than just a single sentence.

A lot of unspecific, one or two line reviews is a pretty decent tell that you are dealing with a lot of fake reviews.

2. The combative good review

This scenario generally plays out something like this. A demolition contractor is hired by a homeowner to remove some concrete. He pulls a classic bait and switch, and charges her a lot more than what he estimated. That person, rightfully, goes to the internet to warn others off that particular contractor.

A day or a week later a new review pops up. And its from a guy who also had some concrete removal done and had a completely opposite experience of the last reviewer. Even to the point of calling that reviewer out specifically.

People are often oddly territorial about the companies they love and hate. I’ve seen grown men get into fights about whether Canon or Nikon made a better camera, for instance. But when it comes to demolition contractors this is often a swarmy tactic used to drag down a legitimate review and make their company look better than it probably is, which leads us into …

3. The Five Star bandit

Internet reviews are never perfect. People have outsized expectations of what a business can and can’t do. And when those expectations aren’t fulfilled they often take to the internet and holler about it. So when you are reading reviews of anything, even demolition contractors, its pretty normal to find one person that had a bad experience. However, a lot of bad reviews with similar complaints probably form a pretty accurate portrait of a bad contractor.

But, wait, a minute, there is one guy who really loves this one demolition contractor! Could he be a lone wolf crying in the wilderness?

No. Mostly likely that single good review was put their by a demolition contractor who felt like his business was on the ropes from bad (and I would guess accurate) reviews. So he made an account (or his brother or his mother) and posted an accurate review … of himself.

My rule of thumb is mostly good reviews mixed with some mediocre and one or two bad reviews equals accurate. A lot of bad reviews also equally accurate. One good review isn’t enough to shift the weight of the people’s gestalt.

4. Reviews Live from New Dehli!

One of the darker corners of the internet is the space where demolition contractors who want to quickly build a good reputation or combat a string of lousy reviews buy internet reviews. The going rate for skilled U.S. Based reviewers is around $25 to $50 a review, and these reviews can be hard to spot.

But bad demolition contractors typically didn’t become bad demolition contractors by spending money, so instead of opting for good old American English Majors turned Yelp Fakers, they spend $200 on an Indian content farm that promises them hundreds of internet reviews that read better than the King’s Speech.

And what they get is, “Hello good sirs of the Pages that Yellow. I hired the above nice gentlemen to demolush a pool in my bath room. His work was of a superlative nature. Would highly recommend upon the altars of Vishnu. Praise be to the four stars!”

One immediate tip off of a fake review is misspellings and tortured phrasing. Misspellings aren’t uncommon on the internet (gasp) but look for obvious 8th grade and under misspells. Then look at the phrasing. Grammar was assassinated a long time ago by that coward known as the internet but people have a distinct way of talking about things in America. And typically this colloquial phrasing is completely lost to the reviewers in New Dehli.

5. The copy paste

The copy paste review has gotten rarer because internet review sites realized that their existence hung upon their credibility. But every so often a proton torpedo slips past and lands in the reactor shaft of life. Every so often copy and paste internet reviews get posted.

These are easy to spot.

For instance, “I love these guys! I would high recommend! Very professional pool demo!” — Gary

Followed by, “I love these guys! I would high recommend! Very professional pool demo!” — Larry

Yeah, that’s a fake.

In conclusion, there is no real way to verify every review you read. Chances are that some of the best reviews you read may be carefully constructed bits of artifice made in the foundries of a copywriter’s forge. But if you practice a certain amount of discernment and a skeptical eye, you can keep from getting fooled 80% of the time.

Crossposted from 911Demolition

Posted on May 12, 2013 at 9:59 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Company, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged demolition, demolition companies, demolition company, demolition contractor, demolition contractors, demolition services, demolition tips.

5 Questions to Ask Your Los Angeles Demolition Company

Before you hire a demolition company in the Los Angeles area there are five questions everyone should ask their demolition company. These questions will help you determine whether you have the right demolition company for your project.

Are You Licensed By the State of California?

The default answer to this question should be “Yes” followed by “Here’s my license number.” If the answer is No. Or It doesn’t matter. Or Yes but I can’t give you my license number for some reason … Then walk away and find a licensed demolition company.

Are You Insured and Can You Provide Proof of Insurance?

Most demolition companies in Los Angeles will claim to have insurance, but you need to verify that they have enough insurance and that their insurance policy covers the type of demolition work you are hiring them to do. All you have to do is ask your demolition company to provide the name and phone number of his or her insurance agent. Call the insurance agent and have him or her fax you a Proof of Insurance Certificate.

Can You Provide Three Recent References?

Any good demolition company in Los Angeles should be able to provide three to four recent (within the last three to six months) references. These should be work references from satisfied client. You should be able to call each client and check on the quality of the contractor’s work. These references should also serve as credit references as well.

How Many of These Demolition Projects Have You Done?

There is no magic number when it comes to how many demolition projects a demolition company does before he is “good”. But you ideally want to hire a demolition company that has a lot of experience in both demolition and in the particular type of demolition service you are asking him to perform.

What Happens If I’m Not Satisfied?

This could also be called “Write a good contract”. You need to clearly outline what happens if you are not satisfied with a contractor’s work and how any disputes with your demolition company will be resolve.

If you ask your demolition company these questions you’ll be better prepared and better informed.

Posted on May 2, 2013 at 5:52 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Company, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged demolition, demolition company, demolition company los angeles, demolition contractors, demolition contractors Los Angeles, demolition services, demolition tips.

Top Five Misconceptions About Demolition Companies in Los Angeles

Demolition is a profession that occasionally carries around a negative connotation. Demolition is synonymous with destruction. But the truth is that demolition companies are some of the most knowledgeable and technically experienced contractors in the world today.

5. Demolition Companies Don’t Care About Safety.

The preeminent concern of any demolition company is safety. A good demolition company spends many man hours and a lot of money on maintaining and improving safety.

4. Demolition Companies Don’t Recycle.

Demolition companies recycle constantly. Demolition companies have found that recycling building materials reduces costs, both by cutting down on disposal costs and by saving money on building materials. Also recycling has become a big selling point. As consumers get savvier they hold companies, even demolition companies, to a higher standard.

3. Demolition Companies Are All The Same

Unskilled demolition companies can and do cause great damage to property. An unskilled demolition contractor can actually damage a house or a building beyond repair.

2. Demolition Companies Just Blow Buildings Up.

Implosion demolition accounts for only about two percent off all demolitions down by demolition companies.

1. Demolition Companies Don’t Care About Building Preservation

Demolition companies work with preservationists on many projects to preserve buildings and historic monuments.

Posted on April 29, 2013 at 8:24 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Company, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged demolition, demolition companies, demolition company, demolition company los angeles, demolition contractor, demolition contractors, demolition services, demolition tips.

How Much Do Demolition Contractors in Los Angeles Make?

Demolition contractors in Los Angeles make a bit more than the national average. On average demolition contractors make between $20.00 and $30.00 an hour. The average salary of a demolition contractor in Los Angeles is around $45,000 to $60,000, Demolition contractors who work for larger companies or do commercial demolition jobs may make upwards of $100,000 a year.

Salaries can also depend on whether a demolition contractor owns his own company or not. A demolition contractor that owns his own demolition company has great earning potential but has great costs. A demolition contractor must pay for laborers, equipment, etc and also the cost of insurance and a CA Contractor’s license.

Demolition contracting is a high paying work in Los Angeles.

Posted on April 23, 2013 at 9:21 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Contractors, Demolition Contractors Los Angeles, Los Angeles Contractors, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged demolition, demolition companies, demolition company, demolition company los angeles, demolition contractor, demolition contractors, demolition contractors Los Angeles, demolition services.

How to Check a Los Angeles Demolition Company’s License

Before you hire a demolition company in Los Angeles you should always verify that they have a current and up to date demolition contractor license. So how do you verify a demolition company’s license?

The state of California makes it easy to verify a demolition company’s license. The California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB) makes its easy to verify a demolition company’s license. The CSLB’s website provides a quick method of looking up your demolition company’s license information. The CSLB can also help verify your demolition company’s bond.

While you are checking on your demolition company’s license you should also verify your demolition company’s insurance. This part is easy too. Ask your demolition company for the name of their insurance agent. Call the insurance agent and have the insurance agent fax you a proof of insurance form. Also ask the insurance agent if there are any types of demolition your demolition company is prohibited from performing. Some insurance policies only cover certain types of demolition or may prohibit your demolition company from conducting some types of demolition work.

Verifying your demolition company’s license and insurance is a key part of hiring a demolition company in Los Angeles.

Posted on April 17, 2013 at 9:38 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Demolition Company, Demolition Company Los Angeles, Los Angeles Demolition and tagged demolition, demolition companies, demolition company, demolition company los angeles, demolition contractor, demolition contractors, demolition license, demolition tips.

How Much Do Demolition Companies in Los Angeles Charge?

It’s impossible to say how much a demolition company in Los Angeles charges for demolition services. The rates demolition companies in Los Angeles charge depends on the size of the demolition company, the time of the year, what demolition services you need and what demolition services that demolition company offers, and even the time of the year. A demolition company may charge more during the Summer when they are busy, a demolition company may cut you a break during the winter months.

The best way to find out how much your demolition project will cost is to call around and ask for estimates. Almost every reputable demolition company in Los Angeles will offer you a free, no cost estimate. You should seek between three to five estimates for your demolition project before settling on a demolition company.

Posted on April 10, 2013 at 8:18 pm Leave a Comment

Why Do Demolition Contractors Prefer Hauling Services?

Thanks to everyone for the overwhelming positive response to our new blog. Our inbox has literally been flooded with questions about demolition contractors, demolition work, and hauling services. So we decided to to open up the floor and start answering questions. Besides, we were running out of demolition stuff to blog about. Haha, just kidding.

This first question comes from B.C. in Sherman Oaks: “Why do a lot of demolition contractors in Los Angeles seem to prefer using a hauling service over just renting dumpsters?

Good question! A lot of demolition contractors in Los Angeles prefer subcontracting out to a hauling service than renting a dumpster, because dumpster rental in Los Angeles is a nightmare. Hauling services in Los Angeles simplifies disposal of construction debris. Hauling Services also make the process of construction debris disposal. A hauling service saves both time and money. You wouldn’t think that a hauling service would save money but the money spent on a hauling service saves time in labor. Time saved with laborers in money saved.

Posted on April 5, 2013 at 9:20 pm Leave a Comment

This post is filed under Junk Removal, Junk Services and tagged demolition, demolition company, demolition contractors, hauling services, hauling services Los Angeles, household junk removal, junk hauling, junk pick up, junk removal, junk removal services Los Angeles.