Post Demolition Dust in Chicago - No protection to furnace

Chicago, Illinois
Rehabbing & House Flipping
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Post Demolition Dust in Chicago - No protection to furnace

Ted Smith
Member since 2025 · 11 posts · 4 votes

Hey, 

I have been reading these blogs for a long time.  This is a great site. 

Post Demo Dust


I hired a GC to perform demolition in Chicago, my home.  Per the code, I don't need a permit for 1,000 SF of plaster. 


They did the demo but did not protect my furnace in the basement or took any other dust control measures.  Cleaning is $700, at least.   I have two furnaces, one in the second floor.  The one in the basement is my main concern.  

The dust expanded everywhere, we have been cleaning for weeks  

They took no measures to protect against dust.  I have a basic contract, it doesn't carry any dust protection description, just notes demo.   

A few notes, please. 

This is for Chicago.  No need to comment on your own location/jurisdiction, please.   I am looking for Chicago-specific feedback. 

No need to comment on other contaminants within the dust.  Please, don't.

Is dust protection assumed as part of the work?  

Should I file an insurance claim or absorb the ongoing cleaning costs and move on. 

I have kids and we moved out for a few weeks to clean up.  Everything was covered with dust. 

Should I just suck it up?

Thanks for your help, this has been a bit hard.  

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John Clark
Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1y
Quote from @Ted Smith:

Hey, 

I have been reading these blogs for a long time.  This is a great site. 

Post Demo Dust


I hired a GC to perform demolition in Chicago, my home.  Per the code, I don't need a permit for 1,000 SF of plaster. 


They did the demo but did not protect my furnace in the basement or took any other dust control measures.  Cleaning is $700, at least.   I have two furnaces, one in the second floor.  The one in the basement is my main concern.  

The dust expanded everywhere, we have been cleaning for weeks  

They took no measures to protect against dust.  I have a basic contract, it doesn't carry any dust protection description, just notes demo.   

A few notes, please. 

This is for Chicago.  No need to comment on your own location/jurisdiction, please.   I am looking for Chicago-specific feedback. 

No need to comment on other contaminants within the dust.  Please, don't.

Is dust protection assumed as part of the work?  

Should I file an insurance claim or absorb the ongoing cleaning costs and move on. 

I have kids and we moved out for a few weeks to clean up.  Everything was covered with dust. 

Should I just suck it up?

Thanks for your help, this has been a bit hard.  

I don’t know of any contractors who would do more than hang plastic sheeting over open entrances, maybe on a good day they might block a heating vent if you’re lucky.

after I’ve had all the demo and drywall done, I have a cleaning lady I know come in to clean every surface, ceiling to floor. Then the painters. Then the floor guys and the cleaning lady once more for a quick wipe of the walls and floors and countertops. Depending on how much was done, I might have the floor guys in before the painters, Skipping the second cleaning wipe down.

Lastly I have a duct cleaning company I like come in. They do both the heating and returns. After that, change the furnace filter and lay in a supply of new filters.

No insurance claim. Just cleaning, duct cleaning  furnace filters.
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  • John Clark
    Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Ted Smith:

    Hey, 

    I have been reading these blogs for a long time.  This is a great site. 

    Post Demo Dust


    I hired a GC to perform demolition in Chicago, my home.  Per the code, I don't need a permit for 1,000 SF of plaster. 


    They did the demo but did not protect my furnace in the basement or took any other dust control measures.  Cleaning is $700, at least.   I have two furnaces, one in the second floor.  The one in the basement is my main concern.  

    The dust expanded everywhere, we have been cleaning for weeks  

    They took no measures to protect against dust.  I have a basic contract, it doesn't carry any dust protection description, just notes demo.   

    A few notes, please. 

    This is for Chicago.  No need to comment on your own location/jurisdiction, please.   I am looking for Chicago-specific feedback. 

    No need to comment on other contaminants within the dust.  Please, don't.

    Is dust protection assumed as part of the work?  

    Should I file an insurance claim or absorb the ongoing cleaning costs and move on. 

    I have kids and we moved out for a few weeks to clean up.  Everything was covered with dust. 

    Should I just suck it up?

    Thanks for your help, this has been a bit hard.  

    I don’t know of any contractors who would do more than hang plastic sheeting over open entrances, maybe on a good day they might block a heating vent if you’re lucky.

    after I’ve had all the demo and drywall done, I have a cleaning lady I know come in to clean every surface, ceiling to floor. Then the painters. Then the floor guys and the cleaning lady once more for a quick wipe of the walls and floors and countertops. Depending on how much was done, I might have the floor guys in before the painters, Skipping the second cleaning wipe down.

    Lastly I have a duct cleaning company I like come in. They do both the heating and returns. After that, change the furnace filter and lay in a supply of new filters.

    No insurance claim. Just cleaning, duct cleaning  furnace filters.
    1Reply
    • Ted Smith
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 11 posts · 4 votes
      1y
      Quote from @John Clark:
      Quote from @Ted Smith:

      Hey, 

      I have been reading these blogs for a long time.  This is a great site. 

      Post Demo Dust


      I hired a GC to perform demolition in Chicago, my home.  Per the code, I don't need a permit for 1,000 SF of plaster. 


      They did the demo but did not protect my furnace in the basement or took any other dust control measures.  Cleaning is $700, at least.   I have two furnaces, one in the second floor.  The one in the basement is my main concern.  

      The dust expanded everywhere, we have been cleaning for weeks  

      They took no measures to protect against dust.  I have a basic contract, it doesn't carry any dust protection description, just notes demo.   

      A few notes, please. 

      This is for Chicago.  No need to comment on your own location/jurisdiction, please.   I am looking for Chicago-specific feedback. 

      No need to comment on other contaminants within the dust.  Please, don't.

      Is dust protection assumed as part of the work?  

      Should I file an insurance claim or absorb the ongoing cleaning costs and move on. 

      I have kids and we moved out for a few weeks to clean up.  Everything was covered with dust. 

      Should I just suck it up?

      Thanks for your help, this has been a bit hard.  

      I don’t know of any contractors who would do more than hang plastic sheeting over open entrances, maybe on a good day they might block a heating vent if you’re lucky.

      after I’ve had all the demo and drywall done, I have a cleaning lady I know come in to clean every surface, ceiling to floor. Then the painters. Then the floor guys and the cleaning lady once more for a quick wipe of the walls and floors and countertops. Depending on how much was done, I might have the floor guys in before the painters, Skipping the second cleaning wipe down.

      Lastly I have a duct cleaning company I like come in. They do both the heating and returns. After that, change the furnace filter and lay in a supply of new filters.

      No insurance claim. Just cleaning, duct cleaning  furnace filters.
      Well, after throwing away food,  moving out for 2 weeks, cleaning everything we had exposed, this adds up to several thousand dollars.

      To me, this looks very negligent as this was by a GC that hired a sub.  GC mark up is for logistics. 
      0Reply
    • John Clark
      Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Ted Smith:
      Quote from @John Clark:
      Quote from @Ted Smith:

      Hey, 

      I have been reading these blogs for a long time.  This is a great site. 

      Post Demo Dust


      I hired a GC to perform demolition in Chicago, my home.  Per the code, I don't need a permit for 1,000 SF of plaster. 


      They did the demo but did not protect my furnace in the basement or took any other dust control measures.  Cleaning is $700, at least.   I have two furnaces, one in the second floor.  The one in the basement is my main concern.  

      The dust expanded everywhere, we have been cleaning for weeks  

      They took no measures to protect against dust.  I have a basic contract, it doesn't carry any dust protection description, just notes demo.   

      A few notes, please. 

      This is for Chicago.  No need to comment on your own location/jurisdiction, please.   I am looking for Chicago-specific feedback. 

      No need to comment on other contaminants within the dust.  Please, don't.

      Is dust protection assumed as part of the work?  

      Should I file an insurance claim or absorb the ongoing cleaning costs and move on. 

      I have kids and we moved out for a few weeks to clean up.  Everything was covered with dust. 

      Should I just suck it up?

      Thanks for your help, this has been a bit hard.  

      I don’t know of any contractors who would do more than hang plastic sheeting over open entrances, maybe on a good day they might block a heating vent if you’re lucky.

      after I’ve had all the demo and drywall done, I have a cleaning lady I know come in to clean every surface, ceiling to floor. Then the painters. Then the floor guys and the cleaning lady once more for a quick wipe of the walls and floors and countertops. Depending on how much was done, I might have the floor guys in before the painters, Skipping the second cleaning wipe down.

      Lastly I have a duct cleaning company I like come in. They do both the heating and returns. After that, change the furnace filter and lay in a supply of new filters.

      No insurance claim. Just cleaning, duct cleaning  furnace filters.
      Well, after throwing away food,  moving out for 2 weeks, cleaning everything we had exposed, this adds up to several thousand dollars.

      To me, this looks very negligent as this was by a GC that hired a sub.  GC mark up is for logistics. 
      0Reply
  • Tj FlorosPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago · Member since 2025 · 95 posts · 74 votes
    1y

    I would talk with the GC about this and see if he remedy the problem, some will go above and beyond and do more then you ask, some understand i should cover up the furnace or just ask you do you want us to cover up the furnace before they demo, and some will do just exactly what you tell them and nothing else. 

    Demo the unit? ok we will demo the unit, everything else is on you. 

    I gutted a 3 unit and forgot to tell the GC to cover the hardwood flooring and by the time i checked the project there was purple primer on the floor from a plumber. Brought it up to the GC and he sanded the area down and cleaned it. Couldn't really be mad at him when it was me who forgot to tell him. 

    I would not file an insurance claim personally. Unless its anywhere north of $10-15k worth of damage ill eat that cost to keep record clean. 

    [email protected]
    0Reply
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