How do I judge the risk of a demolition company’s past neighbour complaints?
Ask for the complaint log and sort it by cause: noise, dust, vibration, damage or access. Look at how often each kind recurs, how the company responded and what it cost. A few resolved complaints on dense sites are normal to ask about; repeated, unresolved ones are the concern.
Request every complaint, claim and letter from neighbours or authorities. Read how each was handled. Was there a quick call, a fix on site, or a lawsuit? A company that acknowledges a problem and corrects it tells you something different from one that ignores it.
Sort by cause and by site type. Dust and noise are expected on city jobs, and damage to nearby buildings is more serious. Repeated causes may show a weak process, such as poor planning or supervision. Ask what has changed since then.
Check the money. Were there payments, insurance claims or higher premiums? Ask whether any matter is still open, and whether the insurer has raised concerns. Your lawyer can tell you what could follow the business to a new owner. Finally, learn how the company communicates before a job: notices, schedules and a contact for neighbours. Strong habits lower risk. Ask your insurance advisor how complaint history may affect coverage. If possible, ask the seller whether you may speak to a neighbour or site owner from a past job where there was a complaint. Hearing how the company handled it from the other side often reveals more than the paperwork can. Ask too whether the company keeps photos of adjoining buildings taken before work starts, since those settle many disputes quickly and fairly for everyone involved.
Key takeaways
- Sort complaints by cause and look for repeated ones.
- Read how each matter was handled and closed.
- Ask your lawyer which open matters could pass to you.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
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