Demolition contractors wh are desperate for business often will hire writers (either in the U.S. or overseas, mostly from India) to pump out hundreds of fake reviews to be posted on various review sites. Many demolition contractors will also ask their employees (or retain an employee full time) to write reviews for their company. 

So how do you separate out the fake reviews from the real reviews?

1. Generalities

People who have had a specific experience generally speaking have very specific memories to go along with that experience. Think back to losing your virginity. How would you describe it if your life depended on it. Would all you have to say is, “Well I lost my virginity and it was great. Highly recommend!”? Probably not.

Generalities and brevity are your first clues when it comes to spotting fake demolition contractor reviews. Regardless of whether someone had a great experience or a terrible experience, they’ll probably go into some fairly deep and sharp specifics relating to their experience with that particular demo contractors. A person who just had their pool removed and had a good enough experience to warrant taking the time to write a review will have more to say than just a single sentence.

A lot of unspecific, one or two line reviews is a pretty decent tell that you are dealing with a lot of fake reviews.

2. The combative good review

This scenario generally plays out something like this. A demolition contractor is hired by a homeowner to remove some concrete. He pulls a classic bait and switch, and charges her a lot more than what he estimated. That person, rightfully, goes to the internet to warn others off that particular contractor.

A day or a week later a new review pops up. And its from a guy who also had some concrete removal done and had a completely opposite experience of the last reviewer. Even to the point of calling that reviewer out specifically.

People are often oddly territorial about the companies they love and hate. I’ve seen grown men get into fights about whether Canon or Nikon made a better camera, for instance. But when it comes to demolition contractors this is often a swarmy tactic used to drag down a legitimate review and make their company look better than it probably is, which leads us into …

3. The Five Star bandit

Internet reviews are never perfect. People have outsized expectations of what a business can and can’t do. And when those expectations aren’t fulfilled they often take to the internet and holler about it. So when you are reading reviews of anything, even demolition contractors, its pretty normal to find one person that had a bad experience. However, a lot of bad reviews with similar complaints probably form a pretty accurate portrait of a bad contractor.

But, wait, a minute, there is one guy who really loves this one demolition contractor! Could he be a lone wolf crying in the wilderness? 

No. Mostly likely that single good review was put their by  a demolition contractor who felt like his business was on the ropes from bad (and I would guess accurate) reviews. So he made an account (or his brother or his mother) and posted an accurate review … of himself. 

My rule of thumb is mostly good reviews mixed with some mediocre and one or two bad reviews equals accurate. A lot of bad reviews also equally accurate. One good review isn’t enough to shift the weight of the people’s gestalt.

4. Reviews Live from New Dehli!

One of the darker corners of the internet is the space where demolition contractors who want to quickly build a good reputation or combat a string of lousy reviews buy internet reviews. The going rate for skilled U.S. Based reviewers is around $25 to $50 a review, and these reviews can be hard to spot.

But bad demolition contractors typically didn’t become bad demolition contractors by spending money, so instead of opting for good old American English Majors turned Yelp Fakers, they spend $200 on an Indian content farm that promises them hundreds of internet reviews that read better than the King’s Speech.

And what they get is, “Hello good sirs of the Pages that Yellow. I hired the above nice gentlemen to demolush a pool in my bath room. His work was of a superlative nature. Would highly recommend upon the altars of Vishnu. Praise be to the four stars!”

One immediate tip off of a fake review is misspellings and tortured phrasing. Misspellings aren’t uncommon on the internet (gasp) but look for obvious 8th grade and under misspells. Then look at the phrasing.  Grammar was assassinated a long time ago by that coward known as the internet but people have a distinct way of talking about things in America. And typically this colloquial phrasing is completely lost to the reviewers in New Dehli.

5. The copy paste

The copy paste review has gotten rarer because internet review sites realized that their existence hung upon their credibility. But every so often a proton torpedo slips past and lands in the reactor shaft of life. Every so often copy and paste internet reviews get posted.

These are easy to spot.

For instance, “I love these guys! I would high recommend! Very professional pool demo!” — Gary

Followed by, “I love these guys! I would high recommend! Very professional pool demo!” — Larry 

Yeah, that’s a fake.

In conclusion, there is no real way to verify every review you read. Chances are that some of the best reviews you read may be carefully constructed bits of artifice made in the foundries of a copywriter’s forge. But if you practice a certain amount of discernment and a skeptical eye, you can keep from getting fooled 80% of the time.

A demolition contractor with poor credit, someone who doesn’t pay his subcontractors or his workers, can do a job and leave you holding the bag for paying everyone else involved. This can land you in a sea of litigation that can last for years and cost thousands of dollars.

So how do you check your demolition contractor’s credit? You can either ask your demolition contractor for recent credit reference. Any good demolition contractor should be able and willing to provide this information. If a demolition contractor refuses to supply a credit reference be very wary. Would you use a demolition contractor that refuses to supply his contractor license? No. Treat your contractor’s credit the same way.

You can also use services provided by credit bureaus like Experian to check your demolition contractor’s credit. In fact, using these background check services may serve as a safety to ensure that your demolition contractor is providing an accurate credit reference.

The motto when dealing with contractors should always be, Trust, but Verify.

1.) Implosion … Implosion is a violent bursting inward that allows the sequential demolition of structural supports. Demolition companies frequently use implosion to demolish large buildings in urban centers. Old casinos in Las Vegas are a prime example. Demolition by implosion is extremely technical and involves multiple walk throughs of a site and a complete review of a building’s architectural plans.

2.) High Reach Arm … Demolition companies use a giant arm to crunch and tear apart a building. Typically this method is used to demolish reinforced concrete, masonry, steel and mixed material structures. 

3.) Crane & Ball … Crane & Ball is one of the oldest demolition methods used by demolition companies. A crane operator swings a giant ball from the crane arm and uses the locomotion of the swinging ball to demolish the building. Crane & Ball demolition has fallen out of favor. Demolition companies tend to prefer methods that create less noise and dust for the surrounding community.

4.) Selective Demolition … Sometimes known as strip-out or deconstruction, selective demolition is very popular among demolition companies and clients. A demolition company goes into a building and strips away all useable materials, and either reuse or recycle them.

Ask your demolition contractor for the name of his insurance company. Also ask for the name of your demolition contractor’s insurance agent and that insurance agent’s contact information. Call your demolition contractor’s insurance agent and ask for proof of insurance. This certificate should only be obtained from an insurance agent, not from the demolition contractor. Unscrupulous demolition contractors often fake insurance certificates.

When you call your demolition contractor’s insurance agent also be sure to ask if certain types of demolition work is forbidden by the demolition contractor’s insurance policy. 

Search the Internet

Google and Bing! ought to be your first choices in your search for a demolition company in Ventura. Because of Ventura’s proximity to Los Angeles you may discover a lot of Los Angeles demolition companies that do business in Ventura County as well.

As check out internet review sites. Sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, and Yellow Pages can help you wade through the good and bad demolition companies. They can also help you discover a demolition company. 

Call the Better Business Bureau in Ventura County

The Better Business Bureau in your part of Ventura County can help you in your search for a demolition company. The Better Business Bureau can help you vet your choice of demolition company and can help you find a demolition company.

Ask for Referrals 

Referrals from trusted friends can be your best resource for finding a demolition company in Ventura County.

If you follow some of these tips finding a demolition company in Ventura County is easy.

A demolition company also does concrete demolition and concrete removal, which involves removing concrete — like a driveway, sidewalk, or patio. A demolition company also does swimming pool demolition and swimming pool removal, which involves demolishing a pool and filling it with dirt.

March 15, 2013 

Not All Demolition Companies in Los Angeles Are Alike

Demolition Companies in Los Angeles are like any other type of company in Los Angeles. Some demolition companies handle only large commercial demolition, some demolition companies only handle residential demolitions. Some demolition companies in Los Angeles handle certain types of demolition like swimming pool demolition or concrete demolition.

So when looking for demolition companies in Los Angeles make sure you find one that does the work type of work you need done.

Check References and Do Your Homework

Demolition Companies in Los Angeles, California all have to be licensed bonded and insured. Never use a demolition company that isn’t licensed by the State of California. An unlicensed demolition company can damage your home, increase the time you have to spend on a project, and can increase your own legal liability. Always check the license for the demolition companies you are considering.

You may also want to ask your friends and neighbors for references for good demolition companies in Los Angeles. The internet is also a great resource for finding demolition companies in Los Angeles. You can also find reviews for demolition companies in Los Angeles on many popular websites.

Get Estimates 

Before making a final decision about which of the many demolition companies in Los Angeles to hire get estimates. For most demolition jobs three estimates is the recommended rule of thumb. For large demolition jobs you may wish to get more than three estimates. You may want to get as many as five estimates. 

Trust Your Instincts

With so many demolition companies in Los Angeles you can be easily overwhelmed by choices and estimates. Trust your gut. If you like a particular demolition company or demolition contractor that’s a step in the right direction. If you don’t like a particular demolition company, even if they are the cheapest estimate, don’t go with them. 

There are plenty of demolition companies in Los Angeles. If you follow these simple tips you can find the right demolition company for you.

March 13, 2013

What a Demolition Company Does …

A demolition company in Los Angeles does many types of demolition. From commercial demolition to residential demolition. A demolition company in Los Angeles might also do overnight demolitions for retail spaces in malls, or house demolitions to tear down houses.

What Kind of Jobs Does a Demolition Company in Los Angeles Have …

A demolition company in Los Angeles typically need workers during the summer months. An employee of a demolition company must be skilled in the use of heavy machinery. A demolition company uses hydraulic jackhammers and Bobcats to break up concrete and other construction materials.

A demolition company in Los Angeles will also need general laborers to haul away construction debris.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Work at a Demolition Company in Los Angeles?

Generally speaking a demolition company is looking for workers who are experienced at demolitions. A demolition company in Los Angeles may also need drivers with a California Driver’s license and a cleaning driving record.

How Much Does a Demolition Company in Los Angeles Pay?

Demolition companies pay between $10 to $15 an hour. A demolition company in Los Angeles may pay slightly more than that however depending upon demand and level of experience.

If you are looking for a job with a demolition company in Los Angeles start by looking through classified ads and job sites like Craig’s List. A demolition company may either require you to call or email an application, then show up for an interview. There are plenty of demolition jobs in Los Angeles, so time to start looking.

March 12, 2013

Find a Demolition Company that Specializes in the Type of Demolition You Need…

Not all demolition companies are created equal. A demolition company in Los Angeles might specialize in concrete demolition and concrete removal. A demolition company in Los Angeles might specialize in just swimming pool demolition and swimming pool removal. A demolition company in Los Angeles may just do large commercial demolition projects. A demolition company in Los Angeles may do both commercial demolition and residential demolition.

Also determine whether you will need to have any type of abatement done. Abatement is the process of removing toxic items like asbestos or lead paint from a house. Not every demolition company in Los Angeles does abatement.

A Demolition Company in Los Angeles Should Be Licensed, Bonded and Insured …

Any legitimate demolition company in Los Angeles should be licensed, bonded and insured. To verify that your demolition company is licensed call the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Contractors State License Board. The CSLB should be able to verify that your demolition company is licensed appropriately. The CSLB can also assist in verifying your demolition company’s surety bond and insurance.

Never use an unlicensed demolition company in Los Angeles. People are often tempted into using an unlicensed demolition company because those companies are cheap. But using an unlicensed demolition company in Los Angeles can cost you money in the long term.

Make Sure You Are Comfortable With Your Demolition Company …

Make sure you can are comfortable with your demolition company. Make sure your demolition company know the particulars of your demolition job and is working to achieve your goals. 

March 07, 2013