Whether you’re looking for office demolitions in Melbourne or a home demolition contractor in Sydney, you’ll find plenty of businesses claiming to be the best. However, the sad truth is that not all contractors live up to their claims, and when it comes to demolition, you have a lot on the line, including the health and safety of anyone who visits the site. So, to be sure you’ve got the right contractor for the job, ask the following questions:
1. Do you have the necessary license and insurance?
This is the first and most crucial question because if they don’t, you simply can’t work with them. Demolition is infamous for being one of the most dangerous industries, so it’s crucial that you have proof of a contractor’s credentials and insurance policies. This is how you ensure you won’t be held liable if the demolition process causes any damage to surrounding properties or there’s an accident on the job.
Generally speaking, they need a demolition license accompanied by licenses for high-risk work, the use of explosives, and the removal of asbestos. They also need comprehensive insurance to cover potential property damage and worker’s comp insurance for their employees. You also need to ensure any subcontractors they bring in are licensed and insured.
2. Is an asbestos survey needed?
Unless you know with absolute certainty that a building contains no asbestos, your demolition contractor should be willing and able to perform a survey. Though asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003, many buildings still contain it, and it can be present in everything from the walls to the concrete in the foundations. Asbestos can cause serious health problems, including asbestosis and mesothelioma, so you need to work with a contractor who takes risk management seriously.
3. Will you handle the necessary permits?
In Australia, demolition jobs require permits from the relevant council, so this is a crucial question to ask. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you assumed the contractor would get the permit and they assumed you’d handle it.
4. Can I have an itemised quote and time estimate?
Ideally, you want to get at least three quotes and to be able to compare them effectively, it’s important that they’re detailed. You’re not just looking for the lowest price. Indeed, that can be a major mistake. What you’re looking for is a contractor who has factored in all aspects of the job, provided reasonable timeframes for the completion of each stage, and offered competitive, transparent pricing.
5. How long have you been working in the industry?
Demolition is one of those jobs that demand an experienced crew. However, it’s important to note that a business may be new but staffed by individuals with plenty of experience. So, it’s always worth asking.
6. Can I see some references from similar jobs you’ve completed?
When a contractor has photos of past projects accompanied by glowing testimonials from clients, that’s a good sign that they take pride in their work and will meet your expectations. When reading testimonials, look for whether they completed the job on time, stuck to the budget, and left the site clean.
7. Where will you dump the waste?
There are ongoing problems in Australia with tradespeople illegally disposing of waste in the environment to avoid dump fees. So it’s crucial to check in with any contractor you’re considering to find out precisely what their waste management plan is.
If you get the right response to each of these questions, you can feel a little more confident that you’ve found a contractor who will deliver on your expectations.
