When Do You Require a Licensed Demolition Contractor in California?
Planning a demolition project in California should not be taken lightly by property owners. Demolition work may involve the removal of structures, utility disconnections, hauling away debris, hazardous materials, concrete removal, grading, permits, site safety, and more. Whether big or small, any demolition project can cause problems if not handled by the right team.
Contractor licensing in California is controlled by the Contractors State License Board or CSLB. CSLB says anyone who agrees to do work valued at $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials must have a current, valid CSLB license. CSLB also warns that unlicensed operators can put you in financial risk if a worker is injured or property is damaged while doing the job.
This is even more important with demolition work. A demolition contractor is not simply removing material. The contractor will be responsible for work planning, site protection, safety risk management, debris removal coordination and assisting the property to move to the next phase.
At Suncore Engineering & Construction we offer demolition, construction, grading, concrete, fire debris removal, site preparation and other project work throughout Los Angeles County. Suncore’s team is licensed, insured and bonded, License #1145133. Suncore offers demolition, construction, engineering, concrete, grading, hazardous substance removal, fire debris removal and site preparation services.
What Is a Licensed Demolition Contractor?
demolition contractor: a licensed demolition contractor is a contractor licensed by the state to perform demolition-related work under the appropriate licensing classification. The CSLB licenses contractors who raise, lower, crib, underpin, demolish, move, or remove structures, including foundations, under the C-21 Building Moving/Demolition Contractor classification.
This means that demolition is not all manual labor. It is a licensed trade and comes with responsibilities. A good demolition contractor knows about structure removal, site access, foundation conditions, equipment planning, debris management and safety requirements.
Hiring a licensed contractor reduces the risk for property owners. It also means the project can take a more professional process from the first site review to final cleanup.
When Should You Hire a Licensed Demo Contractor?
If your project involves structural removal, full building demolition, partial structure removal, commercial demolition, house demolition, garage demolition, concrete removal, foundation removal, pool demolition or major interior demolition, then you will generally need a licensed demolition contractor.
When the work involves walls, roofs, foundations, slabs, utilities, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, fire safety systems or neighboring properties, a licensed contractor is especially important.
You may also need the services of a licensed demolition contractor when the work is part of a permit, insurance claim, fire damage cleanup, redevelopment project, tenant improvement or new construction preparation.
Even when a project looks easy, the hidden conditions can be serious. Even a small structure may have electrical lines, gas lines, plumbing, asbestos containing material, lead paint, unstable framing or foundation issues. A licensed contractor can help identify these concerns before work begins.
The Benefits of Licensing for Property Owners.
Why Licensing Matters Demolition is a Dangerous Business. Property owners can get into big trouble if an unlicensed or unqualified person damages property, hurts a worker, hits a utility line, mishandles hazardous material or leaves the site unsafe.
The CSLB says it protects California consumers by licensing and regulating the state’s construction industry. CSLB also offers tools for consumers to check a license, find a licensed contractor, file a complaint and report unlicensed activity.
This gives property owners an important layer of protection. “A license means that the contractor is under the auspices of the state. It also provides the owner an opportunity to vet the contractor prior to signing an agreement.
Before hiring any demolition contractor, property owners should: verify the license is active, check the business name, review the license classification and make sure the contractor’s scope matches the work being performed.
Do you need a permit to tear down Los Angeles?
Yes, in many cases. According to LADBS, a building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, demolition or removal of a building or structure. That means demolition work in the City of Los Angeles often requires review of permits before work can start.
This demonstrates the importance of selecting the correct contractor. The planning of a demolition project can occur before the first machine arrives. The owner and contractor must evaluate the building, identify the utilities, draft the permit, arrange for inspections and research the method of disposal. The specific permit requirements of Los Angeles property owners vary according to the work, the building, the location of the property, the zoning, the condition of the property after a fire, the hills, and whether the demolition is total or partial.
Licensed Contractor vs Unlicensed Labor
Knowing the difference between a licensed demolition contractor and a person who can just “tear it down” is essential. Once the code violations and damage from unsafe labor starts accumulating, the cost of unskilled demolition work quickly adds up. If the project requires permits, the client will experience delays and issues with work inspections. The knowledge of a licensed contractor can allow for safe demolition as well as planning, handling of tools, debris, utilities, site protection, and cleaning. As a general rule, the cheapest option is rarely the safest. The contractor should be licensed, insured, experienced, equipped, and prepared to complete the entire job.
House destruction.
Almost always, house demolitions should be handled by a licensed demolition contractor. A house can have gas, electricity, water, sewer, roofing, framing, concrete, foundations, asbestos, lead paint and other materials that need to be properly handled. Before you demolish a house, the property owner should check on permit requirements, utility shut off, debris hauling, equipment access, neighbor protection and final site condition. Suncore is your Los Angeles County home demolition and general demolition contractor.
Commercial Demolition
There is typically more planning that needs to go into the demolition of a commercial building versus a residential building. This can include common entry points, adjoining businesses, public sidewalks, active tenants, their vehicles, their fire protection, our fire protection, your electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, and compressed time schedules. A licensed demolition contractor can help plan the work so the disruption to the site is minimized, and the work is orderly.
Interior Demolition
While interior demolition may appear straightforward, it can still necessitate hiring a licensed contractor based on the extent of the demolition. Removal of floors or cabinets is completely different from walls, ceilings, utilities, plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems and fire-rated assemblies. Office spaces, retail stores, restaurants, and tenant improvement projects require meticulous planning for their interior demolitions. The contractor needs to know what can be taken out, what has to stay, what utilities are live and how to protect the rest of the building. A licensed demolition contractor can help prevent damage to structural elements or problems for the next phase of construction.
Pool Demolition & Concrete Removal.
Your experienced contractor should also be able to handle pool demolition and concrete removal. These projects may consist of breaking concrete, hauling heavy material, backfilling, drainage, grading and preparation of the area for future use. If the pool is not removed properly the site may settle later. Drainage problems may also be caused by poor backfill or grading. That’s why pool removal is more than just taking out the shell. It’s also very much about how you prep the ground post removal. A licensed contractor can help with planning removal, backfill, compaction and final grading to make the property safer and more usable.
Fire Damaged Demolition.
Fire damaged properties require more care. Buildings that have burned may be unstable. Debris may include ash, asbestos, lead, chemicals, damaged utilities and unsafe materials. A licensed demolition contractor can help you plan the work with safety, debris handling and site preparation. Demolition of fire damaged buildings may also involve agency review, insurance documentation, hazardous materials awareness and proper disposal. If you own property in Los Angeles County, including Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Pasadena, Beverly Hills and the surrounding areas, you’ll want to be careful when you are doing this type of work. It is not just a matter of removing damaged material. The goal is to prep the property for recovery and rebuilding.
Things to Look for Before Hiring a Demolition Contractor.
Before hiring a demolition contractor, property owners should check their license, insurance, years of experience, service area, scope of work, and communication process.
The contractor should be able to explain how the work will be planned. They also should review permits, utility coordination, debris hauling, safety controls, site access, equipment needs and final clean-up.
A professional contractor will not push the owner to start work until the scope is established. Pre-demolition work should be preceded by review, planning and proper preparation.
If a contractor won’t answer questions about their license, won’t give you information, asks for too much money upfront or doesn’t think permits are important, that can be a red flag.
How Suncore can help you with demolition projects
Property owners, developers and contractors rely on Suncore Engineering & Construction for better planning and safer field execution of demolition projects.
We provide complete demolition, commercial demolition, interior demolition, house demolition, building demolition, pool demolition, concrete removal, hardscape removal, fire debris removal, grading, site preparation and construction support.
We know that demolition is often the first step toward something greater. After tearing down a structure, a site may require grading, concrete work, foundation preparation, drainage correction, rebuilding support, or other construction planning.
That’s why Suncore does more than teardowns. We get the property ready to move to the next phase.
Summary
IIn California, if the demolition work is anything more than minor cleanup or simple removal, you need a licensed demolition contractor. If the job involves a structure, foundation, concrete, utilities, hazardous conditions, permits, commercial property, fire damage or major site preparation, you will need to hire a licensed contractor.
Demolition work in California can be complicated and it may involve CSLB licensing and local permits, inspections, debris disposal, site safety and future construction planning. If you skip these steps it may cost you more money and add more stress later on.
If you are planning a house demolition, commercial demolition, interior demolition, pool demolition, fire debris removal, concrete removal, grading or site preparation in Los Angeles County, Suncore Engineering & Construction can help review your project and plan the next step.
For a project review or site evaluation, call or text Suncore Engineering & Construction at 424-346-4637.