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Reliance Construction
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area Since 2001
B License 1048237 (State of CA)
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Is Reliance Construction equipped to perform testing services for hazardous materials?Unfortunately, we cannot undertake these evaluations internally due to industry regulations prohibiting conflict of interest between companies offering hazardous material removal services and those conducting tests. Instead, independent third-party entities must handle assessments to ensure impartial results and strict adherence to established standards. While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, please know that we prioritize the safety and well-being of our valued clients above all else. If you have questions about finding suitable providers for testing services, feel free to contact us for guidance and recommendations. However, mold testing is allowed, and we can assist you. Don't hesitate to contact us, and we can provide you with the contact info of our trusted testing companies.
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Does your team support permit acquisition for projects?Obtaining permits such as city, building, planning, or demolition permits is the sole responsibility of the owner or their designated general contractor. Our expertise lies in facilitating the application process and obtaining the BAAQMD notification for the abatement work we undertake. We do not engage in acquiring permits other than BAAQMD notifications for asbestos abatement projects.
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What is your policy for incidentals and damages?Repairs for certain damages fall outside our scope of responsibility when they are beyond reasonable control. These include issues caused by using duct tape and staples for setting up poly-sheet containments. As part of this process, harm could be inflicted upon existing paint or wall/ceiling materials such as Sheetrock, plaster, or wood due to adhesive residue from duct tape. Reliance Construction shall not assume liability for restoring affected surfaces in such situations. Any additional patching or build-back will attract supplementary charges. Feel free to consult us for more information or to clarify any doubts.
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Who is responsible if my indoor air quality test returns positive after a duct removal job?If you would like to perform an air quality test following the completion of our duct cleaning service, we'd require you to conduct a preliminary (baseline) test before starting the job so we can determine if your property was already contaminated and its level.
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What time does your crew arrive on the job site?At Reliance Construction, we make every effort to ensure the timely arrival of our crews to meet customer expectations. Our crew's standard arrival window is between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. However, please remember that our teams travel daily to different parts of the Bay Area to tackle projects, so minor delays might occur due to factors beyond our control, like traffic congestion or the need to procure supplies for your project. Rest assured that whenever possible, our dedicated staff will strive to minimize disruptions and get started promptly once they reach your location. If you require further clarification or have specific concerns regarding timing, don't hesitate to contact your project manager from 8:00 AM. You will be notified of your project manager's contact info the day before your project starts.
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How do I know if you dispose of the waste properly?You should be reassured knowing that Reliance Construction adheres to strict standards regarding hazardous material disposal. All collected materials are double-bagged and labeled with your property owner ID (name and EPA number) and handled and transported by trained personnel to officially recognized facilities. Vehicles that move the waste from the point of generation to the asbestos landfill have special labeling and waste shipment recordkeeping requirements. Once delivered, you will receive copies of all relevant documents confirming environmentally sound disposal practices. By choosing us, you collaborate with a reliable partner who protects your household's safety and public health. Let us alleviate your worries about hazardous waste removal while enhancing your home's safety and comfort.
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Job ReschedulingWe ask our customers to stay on their planned schedule. Abatement jobs are critical; therefore, many entities and permits are involved. Also, we would have to pay our certified work crew regardless of sending them home or doing the job. Job rescheduling and last-minute cancellations would cost us. But we understand there are emergencies beyond your control. We will work with you in those cases.
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What documentation will I get upon project completion?Once your project is finished and your payment is processed, you will receive a closeout package containing a paid invoice and a Certificate of Completion detailing the services provided. For those who are trying to get a demolition permit, the certificate we send to you can be submitted to the BAAQMD to show you dealt with the hazardous material in a proper way and obtain a demolition permit. In the case of hazardous material removal projects, when there is any waste involved, you will also receive a copy of the waste manifest from the landfill confirming the proper disposal of hazardous waste in a licensed hazardous waste landfill.
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Who should I talk to regarding the job process concerns?Our experts spend much of their day out of the office visiting job sites onsite, but they stay connected and respond promptly to messages. Feel free to contact the expert assigned to your project anytime during business hours. If you are unsure who your project manager is, feel free to contact us so we can give you her/his contact info.
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Should I be worried about asbestos in the building materials while renovating my home?It is not possible to determine if a material in your home contains asbestos just by looking at it. If you suspect that a material in your home may contain asbestos and it is damaged or you plan to renovate and disturb the material, the EPA recommends having it tested by a trained asbestos professional. The professional will send samples to a qualified laboratory for analysis. You can also find out if the replacement materials you plan to use may contain asbestos by reading product labels, contacting the manufacturer, or asking your retailer for the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product(s) in question. Source: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/im-remodeling-my-home-do-i-need-be-concerned-about-asbestos-building-materials
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What criteria should be used to determine when a non-friable asbestos-containing material becomes friable under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)?If the non-friable asbestos-containing material can be easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when it is dry, then it becomes friable. Source: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/under-asbestos-hazard-emergency-response-act-aherawhat-criteria-must-be-applied-determine
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What situations would lead to a conflict of interest among personnel accredited under the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)?A conflict of interest may arise in relation to Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)-accredited personnel if, for instance, both the management planner and abatement contractor are employed by the same company. In such a scenario, the planner might suggest more costly response measures to the LEA than what is actually required in the management plan. Source: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/when-would-conflict-interest-exist-among-asbestos-model-accreditation-plan-map-accredited
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Can I pay by Credit Card?Yes, Reliance Construction offers credit card options for your convenience. Nevertheless, kindly bear in mind that a 3% service charge will be added to credit card transactions to cover expenses associated with handling them securely. While we aim to provide flexible choices, please factor in this minimal surcharge during calculations to ensure accurate budget projections. Rest assured that choosing alternative methods like bank checks or direct wires could reduce your total costs compared to credit cards. Should you wish to discuss available alternatives or obtain our bank details for wire transactions, our friendly representatives stand ready to assist.
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When is payment due?Payments are due upon project completion, as mentioned in our proposal. Please have your check ready to give to our foreman after finishing the job and walk-through, or call our office to pay by credit card.
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What type of Credit Cards would you accept?We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Please note: We add a 3% service fee for credit card payments.
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Can I give my check to your workers?Yes, we accept direct payment from customers upon project completion. Simply hand over your payment to one of our site supervisors who will securely deliver it to our office. As soon as we receive your payment, we will generate and email you a paid invoice along with a Certificate of Completion. This method keeps everything organized and makes sure everyone involved stays informed, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your renovation project.
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Why are Hazardous Materials Abatement jobs so costly?We understand that hazardous material abatement is not a pleasant cost to pay. Often, people are not prepared to hear the presence of those materials on their property, and they feel they are being forced to spend so much either because of a correction notice they received from their local authorities, a complaint, or suddenly finding these materials in the middle of a renovation project. We often hear, “Why is this process so costly?”. In the following notes, we’ll try to explain the reasons. As a hazardous Materials Abatement Company, We are responsible for public health. We fall into the public health sector, such as pharmacists. It takes extensive licensing and paperwork costs to do the job right. Many eyes watch us at every step, and any minor negligence will result in paying thousands of dollars in citations. Don't risk your household's safety and health; be aware of low bidders. Based on our years of experience, cutting corners in hazardous materials-related work will result in unclean work. The job has to be done 100% correctly, and if you are not sure, you can't trust a company better not to do it at all since any percentage of contamination would be considered a hazard. The factors affecting the abatement costs include but not limited to: Workers Pay Rate Hazardous material abatement workers are amongst the highest-paid workers in the construction world. They are not simple workers that you’d pick up from Home Depot. The workers must be certified and undergo ongoing refreshment courses and medical examinations by law, which brings us extra costs compared to the other construction companies' labor costs. Licensing Costs As a hazardous material abatement company, we’d have to maintain extra licenses and qualifications to work legally in this field, which other construction companies don’t need to worry about. Transportation Costs The removed hazardous material must be manifested and have legal documents wherever it goes. We must transport it from your property by a particular driver with a “Hazmat Endorsement” from the DMV. He may be stopped by the police anywhere, and we should be prepared to show that our driver and waste documentation comply with the law. Waste Disposal Costs After bringing the derbies to our warehouse, we’d have to arrange the transportation of the waste by a certified company, transporting the waste to a designated hazmat landfill. These processes are all costly. It costs way more than just dumping the debris in any landfill as the other construction companies conveniently do. Costs involved with disposal of hazardous materials: ● Disposal Fee ● Environmental Fee ● Facility Fee ● Generation and Handling Fee ● Generator Fee The waste disposal process is also administration intensive to create specific waste disposal plans and documents to ensure the project is in compliance with protocols. Liability Insurance Cost: Dealing with hazardous materials, we have lots of liability, making our insurance cost way higher than any other construction specialty. Our liability insurance costs about ten times or more than any other construction company. Workers Compensation Insurance Cost: Workers' compensation insurance rates are higher than other specialties Because of the risks of dealing with hazardous materials. Administration Costs When you work with Reliance Construction, you can rest assured that your project complies with all rules and regulations. For each job, there is lots of paperwork such as permits, obtaining different numbers from different entities, and notifying them about the project. Paperwork that other construction companies don't need to care about, and yes, it costs us to pay our administration team to get them done promptly.
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What is the letter I received from DTSC asking me to pay (G&H) Fee?The G&H (Generation and Handling) Fee is a flat-rate-per-ton fee that applies to all hazardous waste generators that generate five or more tons of hazardous waste in a calendar year. For the purpose of the G&H Fee, “generator” means “a person who generates hazardous waste at an individual site commencing on or after July 1, 1988. A generator includes, but is not limited to, a person who is identified on a manifest as the generator and whose identification number is listed on that manifest, if that identifying information was provided by that person or by an agent or employee of that person. For projects with five or more tons of hazardous waste disposed of in a calendar year, the property owner will receive a notice from DTSC (The Department of Toxic Substance Control) asking for a payment. The fee they are asking is part of the property owner’s tax liabilities and is not a disposal fee. Therefore, Reliance won’t be responsible for paying the Fee, which is the property owner’s liability and can be paid through the CDTFA website. However, please first contact us and ask for the waste manifest and the weight ticket. Compare the weight noted on the weight ticket and see if their calculations have an error. You can request a correction by submitting the actual weight ticket using the email and link in the letter. Your accountant or you can use the CDTFA link in the notice letter for payments. To learn more about the "Generation and Handling Fee" visit the link below: https://dtsc.ca.gov/generation-and-handling-fee/
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