Here are .......The Rules.......for Hiring a Demolition Contractor

Hiring A Demolition Contractor......The Rules

1.  Get an asbestos inspection. Get Southern Demolition and Environmental to conduct it for you, get an accredited inspector to get it for you, get a reputable company to get it for you. Get this if you are serious about pursuing a real number.  Try to avoid any contractor that will "turn the other way" and suggest a way to 'get rid of the asbestos'.  If you touch it or you don't know what it is and you have it demolished, you are possibly exposing yourself, your workers, your neighbors to asbestos. And that's bad. You can't see it, and it may linger for a couple of days after demo, so don't do it. Yes, it's extra money. But do it anyways. Do it right and never look back. You hear of people getting away with "it", but they have broken the solid waste act law.

2.  If you are getting the demolition permit, or you've hired Southern Demolition and Environmental to get the permit or a permit expediter to get the permit, make sure a realistic timeline is adhered to.  It is hard to schedule demolition when one doesn't know when the permit will be released by the jurisdiction. AND, once a permit is released and in-hand, it doesn't mean that the moment of demolition is here!  Make sure the following are built in to the timeline for realistic expectation:  

1. Rodent Letter received
2. Asbestos Abatement Clearance Letter is received
3. Evidence that a Pre Construction/Pre Demolition Meeting with inspector from demolition permit issuance jurisdiction has been held or scheduled
4. Silt fence/Construction Exit is installed 
5. Gas is killed 
6. 811 utility locate is active and utility companies have properly responded
7. Power is disconnected 
8. Water is available to use for the course of demolition

There are even more, per permitting jurisdiction, for example:

1. Evidence the septic tank has been pumped
2. Permit box installed and Notice of Issuance of Building Permit Sign installed
3. Letter from utility companies that utilities have been removed
4. More stuff that public permit offices think of.......

3. Review the site plan, proposal and expectation with the contractor. If you need an extra load of gravel because the construction exit isn't worthy, it costs extra.  Utilize contractors that have systems, insurance, the ability to maintain a bond (this signifies credit worthiness).  Best price is not the "lowest price".  Ask low bidder where the material will be disposed of.  If the contractor can't offer to track the waste, then don't "waste" any time on the contractor. Illegal dumping is prevalent and if the lowest price is too good to be true, it most likely is.  

4.  Don't hesitate to call Southern Demolition and Environmental at 404-478-7142 for a ballpark and an outline for realistic expectations based on the environmental and wrecking concerns of your project. Our firm is a specialist in Metro Atlanta private and public residential, multi-family and commercial asbestos abatement and demolition projects up to $300,000. Southern Demolition and Environmental understands complexities of Land Disturbance Permits, NPDES Monitoring and our operators hold Level 1 Soil and Erosion Control certifications as well as 10 Hour OSHA training.

5. There is a level of professionalism you can expect from your "demolition guy" AND, last but not least, that "guy" may be a........... girl!  Southern Demolition and Environmental is a certified FBE by the City of Atlanta and DBE by the Ga Dept of Transportation.  We have a staff of estimators and projects managers that can guide your project with the RULES above in an effort to economically and feasibly complete your project on your timeline.