3 Clauses You Should Include in a Demolition Contract
Would you like to demolish a residential property in order to build another one on the same lot? Read on and discover some of the important clauses that you should discuss before a final demolition contract is drafted.
Tree Preservation House demolition often involves the use of heavy equipment, such as earthmoving equipment. Such heavy equipment can wreak havoc on your landscaping in case you don't state explicitly that you would like to preserve certain aspects of that landscaping, such as mature trees. It is therefore advisable for you to include a clause in the demolition contract so that the contractor takes all the necessary steps to prevent his or her equipment from damaging the trees on your property. Any damaged trees may take decades to grow back to the same size as they were before the demolition exercise.
Seeding Topsoil It may also be necessary for you to require the demolition contractor to seed the topsoil that he or she has poured on the lot after demolishing the old house and its foundation. Seeding the topsoil may be necessary because you may not be in position to start the construction work as soon as demolition is completed. Unseeded topsoil can expose you to liability in case erosion occurs and silt affects neighbouring properties or storm-water systems in the area. You may also consider asking the contractor to use sediment or erosion control measures while leveling the site after demolishing the structure.
Contacting the Fire Department You should also discuss the possibility of letting the fire department in your area to conduct training exercises on the property before it is demolished. Such an exercise may enable you to get some benefits, such as a rebate on the demolition costs. Demolition contractors normally have extensive experience regarding any benefits that may accrue from such training exercises in the area. It may therefore be advisable for you to include a clause that places the responsibility of contacting the fire department upon the demolition contractor. That contractor can then offset any monetary benefits against the fee that he or she had charged you for the demolition job. Some homeowners may opt to undertake the residential demolition activity on their own. In such a case, it is a good idea for you to find ways of addressing the issues discussed above. You may also have to familiarise yourself with all the regulations governing residential demolitions in your area. For instance, noise pollution control rules may exist barring certain demolition activities during certain hours of the day. Hire professionals, like those from Demoworks, for that job in case you won't be able to adhere to all the requirements set out by the authorities in your area.
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