How to Work With a Demolition Crew

Check your city ordinances to see if you will need planning permission to demolish a building or part of a building. The city will usually have to send a surveyor to check the safety of the demolition as well as the particular areas that are being demolished. If the building you are demolishing is old, there may be restrictions on your demolition job if some parts of the building are protected as historic.

Speak to the neighbors and give them plenty of notice that you will be demolishing a property. Give them your contact details so they can inform you of any problems with the demolition site or the demolition crew. Give the neighbors as much information as you have on issues such as the deadline and the start date. Six weeks' notice is the optimal amount of prior notice to give the neighbors.

Ask people who have had demolition done for advice on whom to hire. Use an online resource such as Business.com (see Resources) to help you find a contractor. Ask them for two references. Call these references and ask them for their experience in dealing with the demolition crew. Choose a crew with a good reputation and experience. Agree beforehand on the precise limits of the job, as this will avoid a conflict later. Place it in writing, either in an email or a contract.

Introduce the foreman of the demolition crew to the neighbors, since they will be the ones who will most likely raise complaints over noise or improper conduct. Meet regularly with the foreman and the neighbors to ensure that no problems are left unresolved.

Visit the site at regular intervals to monitor progress. Ensure that the demolition crew removes all debris when they leave and that you are satisfied that the job is finished before you pay the crew the full amount. Refer to the earlier documentation if necessary.