The True Price of House Demolition in 2022

The price of tearing down a house in Australia can range anywhere from $12,000 to $40,000, with the actual price being determined by a number of different factors.

Do you have plans to construct your next house or engage in some other kind of knockdown-rebuild project? You might be interested in finding out how much it would cost to demolish your home and looking for places where you could cut costs.

Navigate to the following sections:

What is the going rate in Australia for the demolition of a house?

Aspects that play a role in determining the price

How much of an additional cost will be incurred due to the removal of asbestos?

What is the most cost-effective method for tearing down a house?

Where you could make some financial savings

How to Demolish a House in an Eco-Friendly Manner

Should I check with my bank before tearing down my house, or am I free to proceed?

To tear down a house, do I need a special permit?

What are the different stages of tearing down a house?

How much time does it take to demolish a building?

How much would it cost to completely demolish a house in Australia?

The price of tearing down or demolishing a house can range anywhere from $12,000 to $40,000 depending on the state in which the home is located.

The ultimate price will be determined by factors such as the size, type, and location of the house, as well as access, the presence of asbestos or other potentially dangerous materials, removal and disposal fees, and many other factors.

Demolition companies frequently quote prices based on a cost per square meter, which can be a helpful way to get an estimate of how much the job might cost.

There are seven factors that contribute to the overall cost of demolition.

According to Gerry Breen, director of NTEX, a civil contracting company with headquarters in Darwin, some of the factors that affect the cost of demolition include the following:

1. The dimensions of the home and the components of its construction

According to Breen, the cost of tearing down a house increases in proportion to its size because of the increased amount of labor required and the volume of materials that need to be disposed of. "Demolition costs for single-story homes are significantly lower compared to those for two- or three-story homes, which are more complicated and present a greater risk," he explained.

"Concrete, brick, or block houses are more expensive than, for example, wooden or aluminum-clad homes because the material to be demolished is heavier and bulkier, which results in higher tipping and transport fees to landfills," ”

2. The standard of availability

It is also important to consider the block that the property is situated on because a block that is particularly steep or has a significant drop adds both complexity and cost.

"(Homes on) difficult-to-access sites can be more costly to demolish as specialized equipment such as cranes may need to be used," Mr. Breen said. "(Homes on) difficult-to-access sites can be as difficult to sell as they are to buy."

3. Additional building components

Even if it's just a brick barbecue, a shed, or even a pool, you can bet that the majority of house blocks in Australia have at least one other structure on them in addition to the actual dwelling. According to Mr. Breen, there is going to be an additional cost if these also have to be removed. Another important factor to take into account is whether or not the property is connected to another.

4. Vegetation

The price of the property will increase proportionately to the amount of vegetation, trees, and shrubs that need to be removed from the lot in addition to the house.

5. The distance to the facilities and the amount of the tip

It is also important to consider the distance from the property to the closest recycling center and landfill site, as well as the amount of money required to offload materials once they have been transported there.

"The greater the distance that waste materials from the demolition must be transported to landfill sites, the higher the cost will be due to fuel and general transportation costs, which are typically calculated on a per-kilometer or per-hour basis. Additionally, different rates are charged for the tipping of waste in various jurisdictions, as Mr. Breen explained.

6. Characteristics that were kept

What is required to be kept on the property is another factor in the costs.

"Retaining garden features such as trees, plants, and swimming pools can increase the cost of demolition because they need to be protected and can cause issues with manoeuvrability around the site," Mr. Breen said. "This can cause issues with the manoeuvrability around the site."

7. Hazardous materials

According to Mr. Breen, the removal of contaminants like asbestos, chromium 6, lead, and mold, which are particularly common in older homes, can be expensive because certified hygienists who are specialists in the field are required for the removal process. He also mentioned that there is an increase in the tip fees for contaminated materials.

How much does asbestos removal cost

The removal of asbestos can add an additional $2500 to the cost of a demolition, but the final cost is determined by several factors, including the type of asbestos, the amount of asbestos present, the location of the asbestos, and the cost to dispose of the asbestos in the local area.

Ms. Ellis recommended that an asbestos survey be carried out prior to any demolition in order to evaluate the current state of affairs and calculate potential costs.

According to Mr. Breen, the cost to remove "non-friable" asbestos, which is material that is firmly bound together, is an average of 0 per tonne. Non-friable asbestos can be found in materials such as flat or corrugated sheeting, also known as "fibro" or "AC sheeting," water or flue pipes, roof shingles, flexible building boards, imitation brick cladding, plaster patching compounds, textured paint, vinyl floor tiles, and the backing of linoleum floor coverings. Other materials that may contain non-friable asbestos include imitation brick cladding, water or flue pipes, roof shingles, flexible building boards

Due to the dangers posed by dust, removing asbestos that is loosely bound, also known as "friable," can be more expensive. This type of asbestos can be found in some older forms of insulation that are used in domestic heaters and stoves.

What method of demolition is the most cost-effective?

Mechanical demolition, which involves the use of heavy machinery such as excavators and bulldozers, is the method of house demolition that is both the quickest and most cost-effective. In addition to that, it is the most typical method of demolition.

Here are six ways to save money while demolishing a building:

During a demolition, there are many different ways to cut costs and save money.

1. Compare quotes

One way to cut costs when hiring a demolition company is to shop around and get multiple estimates as well as read customer feedback, according to Stuart Tucker, chief customer officer at hipages, Australia's largest online marketplace for tradespeople.

"You have the ability to upload images and a description of your job, which will make it much simpler for tradies to provide you with quotes." After that, you will additionally see their suggestions. ”

2. Stay away from unanticipated expenses.

Before hiring a contractor, Mr. Tucker advised asking a lot of questions in order to avoid unexpected expenses and complications.

Inquiries to make prior to the start of the demolition:

• Is the business protected by an insurance policy?
• Are there any references that they can provide, or examples of jobs that are comparable?
• Does everything get covered in this quotation?
• Do you normally have to pay any additional fees?

3. Make the procedure as simple as possible.

Mr. Tucker recommended hiring a demolition specialist who is capable of managing all aspects of the project rather than potentially paying different operators for different things.

Streamlining the demolition process with these helpful hints

• Acquire the necessary authorizations and other documents.
• Make contact with the appropriate utility services to cut the lines.
• Make plans for the demolition.
• Determine the cost of hiring labor and equipment, and organize the process.
• Check to see that all safety regulations are being followed.
• Coordinating the removal and disposal of waste products in a secure manner

4. Ensure that the access is simple

According to Mr. Breen, the most important thing is to make it as simple as possible for workers to access the site.

"Removing any impediments or asking neighbors for access through their property can be a cost-saving option," he said. "Also, removing any impediments is a good way to improve safety."

5. Make aggregate

According to Mr. Breen, some contractors that do demolition work offer a service in which demolished concrete, brick, or block is crushed and made into an aggregate product. This aggregate product can then be used onsite for the subsequent new build in footings, drainage, and other civil works.

This can result in significant cost savings by reducing the need to import aggregate products as well as tipping fees. Find a demolition contractor that also provides this service if you can. ”

6. Salvage and sell

According to Ms. Ellis, it is possible to earn money and bring the overall cost of the project down by salvaging and selling certain items from the property before the work even begins.

This is especially true if your home has doors and windows designed in the Federation style, ornate surrounds, distressed timber, vintage-style bricks, original leadlights, floorboards, or roof sheeting. "Depending on what you sell, you could make anywhere from 0 to $12,000 with this," she explained.

You are attempting to reduce waste while simultaneously saving money.

Here is how to carry out a demolition in a more environmentally friendly manner:

1. Recover as much of the wreckage as you can.

Mr. Tucker recommended locating a business that is willing to salvage "as much as possible," which includes everything from steel and bricks to timber.

"Not only is this practice responsible for the environment, but it also has the potential to lower the costs of demolition." When providing estimates, experts in demolition should provide as much detail as possible, including an estimation of the value of any salvageable items and recycling materials, etc., he said.

2. Recycle items locally

According to Mr. Breen, many contractors that perform demolition work recycle the old concrete, brick, or block that is left over from the project and turn it into an aggregate product that can be used in the subsequent construction.

Because the waste material is repurposed for use again and never leaves the property, this contributes to the development of a "circular economy" on the premises. ”

3. Repurpose

Even if the items that are salvaged are unable to be sold for a profit, they can be given to charitable organizations or community groups in the area in order to prevent them from being dumped in landfills.

If there is an existing mortgage on the property, the owners are required to have a conversation with their bank or another lender regarding the possibility of tearing it down.

This is due to the fact that they have a claim on the property that is equivalent to the remaining balance on the mortgage; the property serves as their collateral.

Even if the owner demolishes the property and rebuilds it with their own money, without applying for any additional financing, the bank must still be informed of the transaction.

Do I need a permit

According to Mr. Tucker, in order to demolish a house, one does need to obtain a permit from the local planning authority, which could be the council.

Despite the fact that various states and local governments have somewhat varying regulations, they almost always required the following:

• Copies of the site plans, which identify the buildings that are scheduled for demolition, as well as a list of the materials that are scheduled for demolition and disposal
• Images of the structure that will be destroyed.
• A copy of the certificate that confirms ownership of the land
• The name, registration number, and insurance information of the company that does demolition work
• A copy of the company's insurance policy covering public liability
• Specifics regarding the plans to safeguard the public and the properties that are adjacent to the construction site
• A comprehensive explanation of the tearing down and disposing of the debris process
• Specifics, if available, regarding any additional recent demolition projects

"If the house is a heritage site, then you will be required to take additional steps." "If you need to have trees removed, you will be required to get a separate permit for those, and you will also need to hire a tree felling service," Mr. Tucker said.

Are you now ready to part ways with your previous home? You will need to complete a few steps first before even thinking about picking up the sledgehammer.

1. Locate a contractor who specializes in demolition

Ms. Ellis recommended obtaining at least three quotes for the work, checking references, and ensuring that the chosen contractor complies with all of Australia's Worksafe standards and regulations.

2. Carry out an examination

The following step is the site inspection, during which potentially harmful substances are found.

3. Get permits

Ms. Ellis assured me that "your demolition contractor will take care of this and will be well aware of the local requirements."

4. Stop all of the services.

The next step is to turn off all of the utilities, including the gas, water, and sewer lines, as well as the power and phone lines. Ms. Ellis informed me that "your demolition contractor can take care of this for you on your behalf."

5. Communicate with your neighbors.

According to Ms. Ellis, informing nearby residents about the project and providing estimates regarding its duration is not obligatory but is a prudent action to take.

6. Dangerous substances were taken away

According to Ms. Ellis, "Your demolition contractor will guide you here and have all of the necessary contacts."

7. Tear down the house and start over

During the actual demolition, large pieces of machinery will be brought onto the site and used to complete the work. After that comes waste disposal.

8. Site clean-up

The requirements for the cleanup will be outlined in the contract.

9. Clearance certificate

"Your demolition contractor will provide all relevant documentation," Ms Ellis said

How long does it take to completely demolish a house?

The amount of time required for demolition is highly variable and can range anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the conditions of the demolition site and the size of the house that needs to be taken down.