Sometimes, building starts with destruction. If you want to remodel part of your home, you may need to demolish part of it first, and to do that, you need someone who provides demolition services. When talking with different professionals, consider asking the following questions.
1. Does Your Liability Policy Cover Demolition Services?
Even with a professional handling the work, there's always a risk of potential accidents. To protect yourself financially, you should insist upon hiring licensed and insured contractors. However, it's important to note that some contractors' liability policies only cover building or construction. They don't cover demolition. That's why it's often better to hire someone who specialises in demolition services.
2. Do You Obtain the Permits?
Just as you need building permits, you often need demolition permits. Talk with contractors before you hire them about who is going to obtain the permit. If you have to do it, make sure that you're up for that. If they're willing to do it, make sure that you know about any costs or information you need to provide on your end.
3. Can You Handle Lead or Asbestos?
If you're worried that lead or asbestos may be in your home, you need to ensure the demolition expert is set up to handle that. They may need special licenses or experience to charge for that type of work, and once lead or asbestos enters the air, it can be inhaled or ingested. Then, it becomes a health hazard. Also, talk about any extra costs or safety concerns related to lead or asbestos mitigation.
4. Is a Skip Going to Be Set Up?
Demolition services lead to a lot of building waste. That may include bits of gypsum, wood, old carpet and rubble. Your demolition services professional will have a plan to get rid of all that waste, but you may want to inquire about their plan. If they need to bring a skip, you need to ensure that you have ample room to store it. If it's going in the street or on the walking path, you may need a special permit.
5. Does the Home Need to Be Vacated?
Finally, talk about whether or not you need to leave the home. Sometimes, you may need to leave for health reasons, but in other cases, leaving may be optional. If you're thinking about staying, talk about what parts of your home will be off limits and when workers will be there.
To learn more, contact a demolition services professional directly. They can answer all your questions.