About Demolition Businesses

The stereotypical images associated with demolition are sticks of dynamite and imploded buildings. These images obscure the daily operations of demolition businesses including planning, refuse removal and administrative tasks. Demolition crews and bystanders would be put in harm's way without proper permits and road blocks. Entrepreneurs interested in demolition businesses need to look beyond the thrills of big explosions. Every demolition business needs a good crew, working equipment and an eye for safety before setting out a day's work.

Running a Legitimate Demolition Business

Every demolition project must start with a permit from the city complete with an application fee, asbestos abatement and notice of demolition. Once the city has authorized the demolition in question, the business owner must notify surrounding businesses and homeowners to avoid noise complaints that can hold up operations. Most cities require demolition businesses to indicate where refuse will be delivered after completion to certify that hazardous materials are properly disposed.

Demolition Equipment

Small demolition companies will rarely use wrecking balls and explosives unless they bid on major projects. Most crews need sledge hammers, protective gear and front-end loaders to tear down houses and small buildings. Every demolition crew should be equipped with goggles, safety masks and steel-toed boots to avoid injury on the job. The crew's front-end loader is used to pick up large chunks of concrete and metal for removal. Instead of purchasing a dump truck for refuse removal, demolition experts should contract trucking services out to save money during slow periods.

Types of Demolition Services

Demolition businesses can stay competitive by working within the four categories of demolition services. Selective demolition is used to knock down specific walls, rooms and attached areas when renovating hotels and office buildings. Experienced demolition crews can offer emergency services to knock down buildings and remove debris after hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. The majority of work for a small demolition crew comes with private subcontracting, typically projects involving home renovation and expansion. Larger crews can work on structural and explosive demolition projects to implode stadiums, arenas and decrepit buildings.

Considerations

Newcomers to the demolition industry should focus on keeping their crews small and recycling as much material as possible from work sites. The typical demolition team needs a machine operator and a pair of laborers on the sledgehammers to knock down a house. An expert on explosive demolition can rotate from site to site to keep wages low for a growing business. Demolition teams can rent trash receptacles to store concrete chunks, rubber and glass that may be salvageable in construction projects.

Protecting Employees

Demolition business owners must acquire workers' compensation insurance and general liability insurance before sending out bids on projects. The minimum level of workers' compensation coverage for each employee is dictated by state law and covers employees who are injured on demolition projects. This coverage not only protects employees from lost wages due to injuries but employees are protected from the full brunt of medical costs. General liability insurance protects a demolition company's assets in case of property and personal damage lawsuits. The dangerous nature of demolition work makes general liability insurance a saving grace for owners struggling financially.

Resources

• All Cities Hauling website