Demolition Companies

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sendin

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Has anyone ever contacted a demolition company to see if they would let detectors work the area once its cleared? I imagine that they might not be a good resource because it is actually the owner who be granting permission, but maybe they would be willing to hook you up so you could ask. I'm thinking about trying this, but I wanted to check here first to see if anyone has had any luck going this route.
 

Demolition companies are responsible for not only the demolition "BUT" also the cleanup, so it might not be a bad idea to try and talk to them about being a subcontractor for them cleaning up the good stuff and offering a % to the company. By being a subcontractor no permissions would be needed from anyone since the company is responsible for the cleanup after the demolition.
The area u would be able to hunt would prob be just the immediate demolition area not the whole property.

Not a bad idea.
 

tried that once and guy on bulldozer said stick around and see what he dug up.bottles trash then he hit the celler. :o a small rusted box.then it was time for me to md.found a few old coins.he calls me new jobs and we split 50-50.Oh the box it had some old paper money ;)
 

I have actually done some web programming to skim the city permits from their web site and search through them for the DEMOLITION permits. I then alert myself to new permits, map the property, and check the age of the improvement (house/building) from the Appraisal District web site.

This way I will get an email anytime someone submits a permit for a house or building that is older than say 1940. I will then check the permit and contact them. In one case I was able to search the property before they demo'd the building, which is way much easier than working around aluminum window frames, etc.

Another use is the fact that Sidewalk demos also need permits. So I get alerts on those too. :-)

I can also see what is happening in my neighborhood, permit wise. Which includes certificates of occupancy, new businesses, new plumbing, new electric, etc.

Kinda cool.
 

sendin said:
Has anyone ever contacted a demolition company to see if they would let detectors work the area once its cleared? I imagine that they might not be a good resource because it is actually the owner who be granting permission, but maybe they would be willing to hook you up so you could ask. I'm thinking about trying this, but I wanted to check here first to see if anyone has had any luck going this route.
I stopped at a property that was being cleared and asked the foreman if I could MD there. He told me he didn't mind, but his company wouldn't allow it due to liability. At another property that was being cleared, I contacted the property owner and I was given permission with the understanding that they were not responsible if I got hurt on their property. Having said that, I think the demolition company angle would be a good way to get your foot in the door with the property owner if you don't want to or can't contact the owner directly for whatever reason.
 

Thanks for replies - much food for thought. I PM'd you Trescher and I also agree with exanimo redux that I may get nowhere with the Demo Companies, but I have a couple of angles for overcoming that; it might work in some cases.

I will follow up on my efforts, especially if I am successful.
 

Another angle might be looking for zoning changes, which typically are transacted by the owner, prior to the sale to a commercial company, who ends up doing the demos.

In my city, if someone owns a piece of property where things have grown up around it recently, and wants to "cash out". They would first apply to have the zoning changed from Residential to Commercial. At which point their property might triple in value. Then they can sell it as commercial property, with the structure being virtually worthless at this point. If the house is from the early 1900s, you got a great candidate.

My experience has shown that the owners are less concerned about the damage that you might do to their property/grass if they intend to sell it to a commercial company, who will just wipe the ground clean, lay down a layer of asphalt and build a 7-11.

Because the records for re-zoning are public, and at least where I live, are published prior to the zoning committee meetings every month, they would be a great resource.
 

I have a contact with a demo company. He emails me where his next demo is....85% of my 2006 finds are from demo houses. Just look in the GALLERIES section above under Des Plaines IL Bob ( Silver Bob ) and you will see my 2006 finds if not there then see it in BEST FINDS.

They are a GREAT place to hunt. My XLT does a great job in them....All I can tell you is to <<<<<< GO FOR IT >>>>>>>>
 

I live in Chalmette La. 4mi south of New Orleans they are demolishing at least 4 houses in my neighborhood every day. We are waiting for FEMA to demo our house soon. We live aprox 1000 yds fro the Chalmette Battlefeild (Battle Of New Orleans 1815).I have found mini balls in my yard, and musket balls.Our home had 13 ft of Katrina(that bitch)water.Lost my Garrett550 to the flood.I will get a new one for Christmas.There are plenty50 or more empty lots in our hood.Most folks don't care or are gone and lot is for sale.I have ok to hunt on many of neighbors lots who have left the area to live elsewhere.We will rebuild anew home soon.I would like yo have someone help md some of these places.post or send a message if you are interested
 

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