Entering the demolition business can be a smart business move, as most building contractors and developers don’t keep their own teams on hand and instead subcontract the work out to crews as and when they need them. With the right network of contacts, you can have a steady stream of demolition and site clearance work coming your way.
The equipment you’ll need to get started will vary depending on the type of demolition you want to do, but the nature of this work means you can start small and move into more complex areas as your finances grow stronger.
Basic Small Scale Demolition Equipment
When you’re just getting started, you’ll be able to take on small demolition jobs with hand-held tools such as jack hammers, grinders, concrete cutters, and cutting torches. Couple those power tools with basic equipment like sledgehammers, wire strippers, shovels, ladders, pry bars, wheelbarrows, heavy duty gloves, ear protectors and safety glasses, and you’re in business. A tool set like this will allow you to work on many residential projects and small scale commercial jobs.
Heavy Equipment
When you’re ready to move onto bigger projects, you’ll need heavy equipment and the skills to use it. Depending on your location and the equipment involved, you might need to obtain a license for the machinery, along with extra insurance.
One option you could consider that would enable you to take on bigger jobs without buying equipment and undergoing any training is to hire machinery and an operator on an as-needed basis.
If you decide to go down this route, you’ll need to be an ace at planning to make sure that you have the machinery in place at the right stage of the project. Shop around for quotes and be sure to ask what contingencies the supplier has in place if they can’t send you the necessary equipment on the agreed day. Time is money in the construction and demolition business, and if a project gets held up because you don’t have a site cleared on time, it could cost you your profit on that job.
Should You Buy New or Used?
When it comes to small scale equipment, buying new is the best option. Your tools and equipment will be covered by guarantees and you won’t have the worry and expense of uncovered breakdowns and repairs to deal with.
But when it comes to large plant like excavators, conveyors, bobcats and crushers, you’ll save a lot of money buying used equipment. Scaffolding and rubbish chutes make good candidates for buying used because they have no moving parts to wear out.
One item that you should look into whether you choose to buy new or used equipment is finding spare parts suppliers like MES International that can deliver the conveyor belt supplies and crusher parts you’ll need to keep your machinery running, because if there’s one industry that puts a huge amount of wear and tear on its equipment, it’s the demolition industry.
Finally, to make sure that your new business runs smoothly, make sure that you’re registered with the tax authorities, hold a business license (if required), and are covered by the correct amount of public liability insurance.
