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I am in need of a new career and have considered starting my own business. I thought I might be able to get my feet wet by starting a “Small” demolition company. I would be assisting contractors by doing the nasty part of remodeling jobs. I would like to think I may be able to get some economy in scale by combining job wastes into one facility, Keeping my cost of disposal down and pocketing the difference. Sounds too simple!
Question: Would anyone out there use a service like this to keep them moving from job to job or is it just as easy for you to do the demo yourself. Dont pull any punches I dont have time for that my BIOLOGICAL CLOCK IS TICKING
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Hi Dave,
For what it's worth, I think a guy who ran the demo and hauled away the debris would be something I would use if I knew somebody and the price was right. I have seen it before at a friends job, but it was all mostly illegal immigrant labor and old beat-up trucks.
As the contractor, I would have to feel comfortable with a few things, such as:
1) You had enough experience in building to know from sight what you could and could not rip out without taking other mitigating steps first (i.e., bracing, temporary wall, etc.). This would mean a reasonably good understanding of framing and basic electrical wiring.
Also, a lot of remodel around here involves new windows / doors in stucco walls and/or other plaster tie-ins, so you need to know how best to break out stucco so as to cause minimal damage to the building paper underneath, and also where best to cut your lath wire to provide for the tie-in.
2) You would have to carry a liability insurance policy with coverage limits of at least $1,000,000.00 per single occurrence, $2,000,000.00 aggregate. You would also need to carry Worker's Compensation insurance in California.
I think you've got a good idea going on but understand that there's not a lot of money paid to the guys doing the demo under a contractor's supervision on the average residential remodel. The big bucks in demo is on the big jobs ....
Keep thinking ... a guy who's not afraid of hard work will hit on something (S).
George
*Dale,If it helps, I used to run a construction clean up crew for awhile. I had 4 guys. 3 guys in a F-450 dump truck and a sweep out guy for the small jobs. If you can get the work I say go for it! The business did well. "for the owner" But I have even thought about getting my own truck and crew going on my own also. Good luck and if you have any questions, maybe I can help.Ronnie
*Another angle to the demo work is to re-sell the salvagable material. For example in Berkeley, CA, there is a great scrap yard called Urban Ore. They have lots of salvaged doors, windows, fixtures... Perhaps you could re-sell to an existing yard, or start a small one yourself. Salvaging cuts down on landfill waste. It may be an alternate source of income, or at least cut down on your tipping fees.
*Dale,I don't know about demo work,but there is a market for construction site cleanup and hauling.for instance I pay a guy with a late model dump truck to clean up and haul away shingles from roof tear-offs.He charges me $7/sq.( I usually pay him more) and is very reliable.He has a core group of contractors he works for,and if he marketed himself more seriously I KNOW he could attract even more business.It is not unusuall for he and a helper to clean up 70 plus sq. a day.Can your back handle that?Using this guy gives me almost all the benefits of owning the truck,without the hassel.My jobs are completly cleaned each day and there is no dumpster left in the customers yard.
*Thanks George, Ironically the may who convinced me to start my own business was named George A retired Millionaire. I certainly don't expect to become a Millionaire (would be nice though). Instead I'll settle for a decent income to support a growing family on. I have a good sense of what it takes to put up a building. My career has mostly been in the environmental field "?" although within the past six months the laboratory I work for has had me doing remodeling work for them, creating a "clean room" and turning an open office space into a three room laboratory complete with cabinets and sinks from studs to mud and tile to ceiling I did it all by myself. modestly It turned out nice despite the lack of a finish sanding of the sheet rock due to time constraints (Its what they wanted). Sorry for the Resume'. Getting into construction is what I have dreamed of for a while. I would work alone mostly maybe get some day help like the guys my friend uses on his paving crew. I will get insurance for sure. Much Appreciated Dale Wermenchuk
*Dale, check out your area for archeticual salvage operations. They can be a market for the good stuff you might demo out, and a job source if the don't have thier own "recovery" crew,
*Thanks Stephen, It's not my back I'm woried about its my wallet. Startup cost would be my only concern.Thanks Dale Wermenchuk
*Thanks Dave, They seem to be few and far between. But I'm sure I might be able to find a helpful one in southern Maine.Thanks Dale Wermenchuk
*Thanks Ronnie, I appreciate the open hand gesture. It looks like this thing could fly with a little effort. Thanks Much Dale Wermenchuk
*Thanks Jason, The search is on for a salvage yard for sure. Thanks for your comments Much Appreciated Dale Wermenchuk
*Dale, I'd say that it sounds like a good idea. I mostly do remodels and new construction, so the demo part of most jobs is almost beyond me. I'd definitely pay a little more to have someone else come in and strip things down for the guys. You wouldn't happen to be in the Lansing, Michigan area, would you? If so, I've got a job right now for you!
*Jason,I am in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and the guy I use for demo and site clean-up and trash haulaways lives in Fowlerville. If you want his name and number, e-mail me with your phone number so I can call you regarding his services.Dale,As I said in the paragraph above, I do use a local guy who does demo, from small bathrooms to to roof tearoffs for additions. He will also do trash runs, which comes out more money for me than a dumpster, but he makes life easy. Also, I know of a local guy who started out this way years ago, and then bought dump trailers to leave at job sites and now bought a semi & 30 yard containers. He still does the small stuff too!Barry
*Dale,Many Habitat for Humanity affiliates have building supply thrift stores called ReStores. We sell new and used building supplies. If you don't open your own salvage yard consider this as an alternative to the dump.Peace,Martin
*Steve...Does the fee include his dump fee?...Also...25 square new work...7/12 two valleys...one small chimney...25 yr architectual shingles...labor charge of $1850. What do ya think?near the stream at $80/sq labor/new work.aj
*AJ,I know you weren't asking me, but...$80 a square for labor on new roofing install sounds great to me, but 25 square for $1,850 isn't $80 per square, it's $74 per square.Rich Beckman
*Thanks Martin, I had not thought of that one. I wonder if I could use it as a write off. You know like donations or something. I guess thats one for the accountant. Otherwise I dont think it would be worth my time to drag it over to them. Unless they did a pick-up onsite. Anyway I may be getting ahead of myself. I will keep it in mind. Thanks Much AppreciatedDale Wermenchuk
*southern Maine is a lot of territory, Can you store it for a while and go to Boston? Make a trip worthwhile. Might be worth the drive from where you are.
*Thanks Bob, I am quite sure it would be worth my while. My sis works for a property management company, she said she could line me up with some work possibly. Could make excellent money using a local hauler and just doing the tear out. The bigest expense would be the lawyer fees, divorce can be very expensive. I have tried dangling the money carrot in front of her, she wasn't very receptive. She is about 2 months from having our second baby and lately I haven't been much help around here because I have been working in central MA. I leave ME after I drop off my daughter at day care for 8. My wife works a full 8hr day and comes home with daughter. I don't get back home til 8 or 9 it's a tough day for all. I still have hope that I might convince her to let me do some in MA. the money is way to good in commercial work down there. Thanks and appreciated Dale " anything for a buck " Wermenchuk
*As usual didn't make myself clear. Do the demo in Maine, store the stuff that can be salvaged, haul it to Boston once a month to sell. With some of the old places in Maine and the trend to reuse old stuff today. Just hit me. Create a salvage yard up there and advertize in Boston. Have them come to you.
*Bob, Yah now I get you. but we are back to start up capital and I don't have it. It definitely is a good idea once I get the cash built up. Sorry my reading comprehension is not exactly 100%. Not a good trait for someone who wants to run their own business.Thanks for the ideas.Dale Wermenchuk
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I am in need of a new career and have considered starting my own business. I thought I might be able to get my feet wet by starting a "Small" demolition company. I would be assisting contractors by doing the nasty part of remodeling jobs. I would like to think I may be able to get some economy in scale by combining job wastes into one facility, Keeping my cost of disposal down and pocketing the difference. Sounds too simple!
Question: Would anyone out there use a service like this to keep them moving from job to job or is it just as easy for you to do the demo yourself. Dont pull any punches I dont have time for that my BIOLOGICAL CLOCK IS TICKING