Post Demolition Dust in Chicago - No protection to furnace

[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.  

[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.