What should I know about your pricing?
Most jobs require a site visit for an accurate bid. This is free of charge AND NOT A WASTE OF MY TIME! Even if you are just shopping/calling around, it is good for me to discuss and learn the needs and wants of the people I want to service, and it’s good for you to learn as much as you can about your project so you know what to look for when you decide who will work in your space. Price can vary depending on the type of flooring needing to be removed, what it’s installed on (subfloor, extra particle board, concrete) and material used for flooring layers (glue, screws, staples, gypsum concrete, mesh w/thinset). Other variables may include logistics of your space, moving appliances/furniture, multiple trips to the landfill, etc. Non-dustless/partial dustless options are also options for cost variables. Availability and time of season may also affect the price. I do my best to match competitive bids. Pricing for non-flooring demolition (walls, cabinets, showers, etc) will also be different based on things like the size and material of what needs to be removed.
What questions should I think about before asking about my project?
Decide what your priorities are. Timeline? Budget? How much of the project are you willing to and are capable of completing yourself? What short-cuts can you take that might help your budget (finding dump trailer yourself, moving furniture/appliances, removing base-board). What else in your project needs to happen before/after the demo process (do not paint before your demo or install new cabinets!). How many layers are there under your flooring? How old is the material needing to be removed?
What is your process for working with a new customer?
For the best estimate I will come to your home for an accurate measure and assess all variables for your project. I want to see your project and help in any way I can, even if that is just educating you in your options. When it comes to flooring I am very lucky to have several contacts I can refer you to for finishing your project, as well as construction contractors if your project goes beyond basic demolition. However, I understand if your schedule does not allow a site-visit, or if you’d simply like to limit the number of people going through your home. Measuring yourself, sending pictures and communicating over email/phone/text is also possible. I’ve had customers contact me several months in advance of their planned project without scheduling. I will keep your bid on file so you can properly budget and coordinate the many sub-contractors and schedules that usually go along with remodeling.
What is your usual timeline? Describe a recent project you enjoyed.
Most residential jobs take about a day, sometimes two for larger homes or more stubborn materials. I really enjoy seeing homes and all the different styles that go with them, as well as witnessing the process a family goes through when making a fresh start in their space. For one job I worked almost a week at a Park City resort removing high-end materials (hard-wood, stone, glass showers, jetted tubs). It was so beautiful and a fresh change from the heat of the Valley. It was grueling work and a little intimidating to work in such a high profile space, but very rewarding to see the extra care and service I strive for be appreciated.
What education and/or training do you have?
I am a licensed Contractor with LRF (commonly called sub-contractor) in Wrecking and Demolition. I also have experience installing flooring and have knowledge and contacts in that area, as well as other construction contacts that may be helpful for your project.
How did you get started doing demolition?
A few years after getting married my wife and I decided to upgrade our flooring. After calling around for bids we went with the cheapest and readily available option. Our project was finished and looked great, but even though plastic barriers were set up over furniture and cabinets, we spent months cleaning dust out of cupboards, drawers, closets, and vents. We had to throw away food, clean all our clothes and wipe down or wash every toy. On top of this the house needed frequent dusting (every time the AC/heater turned on my wife would point out a new layer of dust on surfaces) and on humid/rainy days we could smell the dust. A real nightmare. The extra cost and time could have gone toward a dustless service. We didn’t even know it existed. A few years later I helped my in-laws demo their entire house for their remodel and found I really enjoyed it. And later when I worked in flooring I heard about dustless systems and decided to invest in the best equipment, which lead me to start my own business.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I have worked with everyone, from contractors to neighbors. My most common customers are flooring and general contractors. My business has mostly come from word-of-mouth and I am just beginning to reach out to home-owners directly.
What advice would you give to someone looking to hire for demolition?
Educate yourself! Read blogs of people who either have a lot of experience or had to learn the hard way. Talk to others who are willing to go into the unpleasant details of their process and not just the positives meant to impress. There’s a reason why marriages suffer during remodels! Ask all the questions! Know exactly what you will be paying for and avoid miscommunication. Understand that while we strive to provide a white-glove service, demolition will always be a dirty job. Know beforehand what is possible to salvage and what is not. Re-using base-board to save money? Do you want it off or kept on during the demo? Expect to sand, re-paint, caulk and replace some pieces. Label and store in a safe place. There are pros and cons to everything. The more you try to save by doing it yourself or hiring someone not specialized, the more you need to be knowledgeable, handy and possibly willing to face the consequences of damages, unfinished work and/or “good-enough” quality. Truthfully, some people are just fine with those consequences.