Demolition work and crews

Who hires for this

GCs and builders post demo ahead of new construction and renovations. Developers, towns and property owners post teardowns, and excavation contractors sometimes sub out the structure or the concrete breakout on their jobs.

What they ask for

• Excavator with a thumb or grapple, plus a breaker for concrete
• A clear answer on who handles the demo permit, utility disconnects and asbestos survey
• Any abatement done first by a contractor qualified for it in your state
• A disposal plan, with dump and recycling tickets for every load
• Dust control and protection for neighboring property
• Certificate of insurance that covers demolition, plus workers comp

How to land more of it

• Say whether you do full teardowns, selective interior demo or both. Renovation GCs and site contractors are different customers.
• Keep every dump and recycling ticket. Some jobs need them for closeout.
• Photo the neighbors' property, driveways and fences before you start. It settles damage claims fast.
• If you break out and haul concrete, list your breaker and trucks. Site and utility contractors call for it on their own jobs.

Who handles asbestos before a demo?

The owner or GC usually orders an asbestos survey before demolition, and regulated asbestos usually has to be removed by a qualified abatement contractor before the building comes down. Federal rules cover most commercial and larger residential buildings, and many states add their own, so check your state's rules and do not start without the survey in hand.

Who gets the utilities shut off?

The owner or GC usually arranges disconnects with the gas, electric, water and sewer providers, and many towns want proof before they issue a demo permit. Confirm every service is off and capped yourself before the machine touches the building. Pulling a foundation or breaking out a slab is digging, so you need an 811 ticket too.

Does my insurance cover demolition?

Not always. Some general liability policies exclude demolition or limit it, and GCs will want to be named as additional insured. Tell your agent exactly what kind of demo you do before you bid, not after something goes wrong.

How do I find demolition subcontracts?

Post a crew profile on the TrackOver board with your machines, the kind of demo you take on and your area. GCs and site contractors posting demo packages can see which crews are set up for the job.