Hi All,
I am considering stating a residential remodeling demo business. Wanted to get peoples opinions about this. Good Idea? Bad? Not worth the time?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Steve
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Mike Guertin explains which areas of a deck you need to pay attention to in order to deal with drainage.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I've talked with a demolition/trash-removal guy (retired military). He does everything from tearing it down to dumping and makes a killing at it.
You must be prompt, fast, neat and knowledgeable about how things are built...
but there's money there.
Troy Sprout
Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."
-- Thomas Sowell
Do you know if he bids directly to the construciton company. I am going to assume he does.
Thanks,
Steve
Bids to the contractor, flat rate (w/ minimum) for homeowners.
Troy Sprout
Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."-- Thomas Sowell
Steve,
I've often thought that it would be great to have a demo company that you could call in to slam some work out in a day. The problem that always comes up is that our project require about 67% rough demo and 33% selective demo (just a wild guess).
I can imagine a demo crew getting mighty testy when they're waiting for one of our carpenters to strip the existing glued and stapled exterior sheathing while not damaging the drywall or wallpaper on the other side.
I can see it working if you have big (1,500 SF+) remodel or addition, or if you're saving very few of the existing finishes.
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
I can imagine a demo crew getting mighty testy
It all depends on the contractural agreement between the gc and the demo crew. We used to use a demo crew when I did tenant renovations to gather and haul the stuff. Sometimes, the demo crew would be in there doing it all, sometimes the carpenters would be leading the way and sometimes the carpenters did it all. Each situation was different but the demo crew was also flexible because we demanded it.
blue
One of the first large commercial jobs I was on had a large demo crew come in and tear out, open up walls for doors windows etc., and generally dispose of stuff.
At the job meeting it came to light a few things that were suppose to stay didn't. The demo crew leaders response? "its in the dumpster" I decided right then that must be the perfect business lol. DanT
At the job meeting it came to light a few things that were suppose to stay didn't.
I know how that goes. We did a high school remodel / addition a couple of years ago where a bunch of oak and glass trophy cases (in nearly perfect condition) were "accidentally" removed and shouldn't have been. There were specific notes that the casework was to remain and be protected during construction.
Bad things can happen when the demo crew is turned loose without oversight from the owner or g.c. I want to say it ended up costing the construction manager about $22,000 to replace the cabinets since they did such a good job of managing the job and supervising demo.
Check into your workers comp costs... my demo costs were $1.00 payroll =$1.00 comp costs at one time. Don't know what they are today , but it ain't cheap.
I tried starting a demolition company "Rip-off Construction"...I got no calls.
I think it's a bad idea if you're just going to bring in a dumpster, hire a couple of gorillas, and let them have at it unsupervised.
But it could be a good idea if:
1) you know something about construction yourself.
2) you're willing to be around to supervise the aforementioned gorillas, so there is no collateral damage.
3) if the price is right
4) if you're a good enough salesman to go out and sell the service to GC's.
5) and you're willing to take measures, if warranted, to make sure the demo is done so there isn't an inch of dust over the areas that are not demoed, the surrounding yard is clean, etc.
And don't call your company "Rip-Off Construction". <G>
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Good suggestions Nikki. I'll add:
6) Do what you say you're going to do, when you say your going to do it.
blue
That's a crucial, crucial point -- and I'm glad you brought it up, blue. I have a good friend who is a near brilliant guy, a really talented contractor -- but his business just kind of limps along, and he's forced to be what I would call a "bottom feeder."He could easily be raking it in, doing high-level, high end jobs -- but those people will simply not tolerate his haphazard scheduling, telling them he will be there next Tuesday, and then not showing up for a week, because somebody else called him with a fire that had to be put out.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
We'd love to hire a demo crew for many of our remodeling projects. We'd have to be there to answer questions and make sure the right things are being torn out.
In fact one reason we passed on a job this past year was because we didn't know of a good demo crew for a 2k sqft gut and remodel converting a residential building into commercial space.
A good demo crew with the right tools, ability to protect existing floors/doors, ability to work without cussing/spitting/smoking, and a reasonable knowledge of how to selectively demo, could bill out about $20 per hr. per body if you pay their taxes and insurance.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Go for it!
Some things to consider from previous experience doing demo:
Get knowledgeable on your material you may encounter and safeties/hazards associated
Asbestos, lead paint are a pain and may require special licence, gear, training for you/crew.
A lot of accidents happen during demo so first aid, training, aid kits, blah, blah, blah that are readily available. Be prepared for damaging waterlines, elec lines ( will happen)
Knowing your crew cut a line and letting your GC or client know goes a lot smoother than one of your dudes hide it from you and you get a angry phone call later...
Be prepared, professional and knowledgeable and you will get repeat customers and good business from other reputable builders, etc.
Judo Chop!
Good Idea? Bad? Not worth the time?
If you go for it, have a backup say landscaping or other that will use the same people and equipment. Richard Marchinco (The Rouge Warrior) wrote, "Always have a backup, and a backup for your backup."
Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much.
If you go for it, have a backup say landscaping or other that will use the same people and equipment. Richard Marchinco (The Rouge Warrior) wrote, "Always have a backup, and a backup for your backup."
Sometimes, those backups give you a reason to fail.
Remember the story of the great warrior that set fire to his ships as he landed in enemy lands. The crew knew they had no retreat. They either had to win the war or die.
blue
Do you mean Hernán Cortes or that other fellow. In the end they didn't make out so well.Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much.
Do you mean Hernán Cortes or that other fellow. In the end they didn't make out so well.
It was Alexander the Great that did that. He conquered Europe. He won.
I can never remember which guy that was. Thanks for reminding me it was Alexander.
The point is that if you make enough of a decision and committment, you don't need something to "fall back on". Too often, people intentionally sabotage their own efforts and use their "safety net".
By the way, Captain Cortez did indeed farewell. He conquered Mexico.
blue
The point is that if you make enough of a decision and committment, you don't need something to "fall back on"
I agree. Too often, we "try" - and to "try" is to fail.
In the words of the infamous Jedi (Yoda) "There is no try, there is only do, or do not".
Great idea. Just be sure to hire the right guys. Don't treat it any differently than you would any other aspect of construction because it's "just demo".
Happy
Holidays