Hiring a Site Clearance Firm for Small-Scale Projects

If you’re embarking on a building project on your property or a client’s, whether it’s a complete self-build or an extension, it’s likely you’ll generate a lot of waste that needs removing. You may even have an existing structure on your land that needs demolishing before you can start bringing the building contractors in. It makes good sense to start looking for a site clearance and building demolition company.

Can’t I DIY?

But is hiring someone in for the job essential? Well, it’s possible you could do the work yourself by hiring one or more skips. But cleaning up the debris, loading it into the skip and then waiting for the next one to arrive takes time and effort, and can cause costly delays to the build. And what about if you have to carry out any demolition work yourself? It’s likely to be dangerous, not to mention exhausting It’s by far more efficient and cost-effective to hire a team of experts.

But how do you know which one is the right one to choose? Here, we offer some pointers.

How to Evaluate Prospective Demolition Companies

The first thing you should look for is a company that will come and give you an on-site estimate, preferably without charging. Don’t trust a firm that tries to offer you a quote over the phone without having properly assessed the job. They need to see the scope of the work involved and the volume of waste that will need removing if they are to give you an accurate assessment of cost.

Next, check whether they provide one-off or recurring waste disposal. You may only need one visit if the demolition project is only a small one. But if you want ongoing removal of the waste that’s generated throughout the course of a building project, which will include offcuts of building materials, demolition debris, scrap and packaging from materials, it’s better to establish this from the outset and have that built into the quote.

Then, ask about timescales. This may depend on the size of the firm you choose and whether they have sufficient resources to carry out multiple jobs at one time. But it’s important: you need any demolition done and the site cleared to suit your timetable, otherwise your project could be delayed. So look for a firm that’s large enough to meet your needs, and is flexible and accommodating.

Finally, check their credentials. Demolition is specialist work, requiring skills, experience and knowledge to make sure it’s planned carefully and carried out safely. And waste removal is now monitored by the local authority. Any waste carrier you work with should be properly licensed. If materials collected are not disposed of correctly, it’s you as the ‘owner’ of the waste who will be fined, not the firm you hired in good faith.

Do Your Due Diligence

So it’s well worth checking the credentials of any site clearance and demolition firm you’re thinking of hiring. Good ways to ascertain whether the firm is as good as it claims include asking for testimonials from past customers and reading independent online reviews.

If you’re looking for demolition services and/ or site clearance from professionals working in the field in the South East of England, give M & L Stevens a call. We meet all the above criteria and more.