In many films and cartoons, demolition is often depicted as an effortless process – just one swing of a giant wrecking ball and a building is gone in seconds. However, the reality is a little more complicated, and the process of demolishing a building from start to finish can end up taking weeks, if not months.So what is involved, and how long does it take to demolish a building? The team at Hill Demolition is here to explain.
What affects demolition timelines?
No two demolition projects are the same, and this means it’s not possible to set a universal timeline for how long a demolition should take. It all depends on a range of factors, which we’ve covered in more detail below.
- Paperwork: Demolition isn’t something that can just be carried out on a whim, and there are strict rules and regulations in place to minimise disruption. In many instances, you’ll need planning permission and a Section 80 notice to carry out a demolition – check out our previous article on this topic here.
The time it takes to secure this approval can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the efficiency of the local council in question, and any delays at this stage can have a knock-on effect on the rest of the project. If the property is a listed building, this comes with additional red tape. - Hazardous materials: If asbestos is detected during a demolition survey, then this will need to be carefully removed and handled by a specialist to avoid releasing dangerous fibres into the air. Although this process is essential, it can create significant delays.
- Pre-demolition work: A demolition is a huge project, and before work can properly begin, you’ll have to properly prepare the site by disconnecting utilities, setting up site access, carrying out structural surveys and more. The more complicated a project is, the longer this work will take.
- Scale: As you’d assume, the larger a building, the longer it will take to demolish.
- Method of demolition: From soft strip demolition to complete structural demolition, there are several ways you can approach the task of taking down a building. The best method will depend on the location, access requirements and proximity to neighbouring properties; while some techniques allow for rapid removal, others require a slower and more considered approach.
How to ensure a quick demolition
A demolition project involves multiple moving parts, and sometimes there may be delays due to factors beyond your control. However, there are certain things you can do to ensure the quickest process possible.
- Plan in advance: Kickstart the planning process as early as possible so it gives you more time to gather the paperwork and permissions that you need. This also gives you extra time to handle any unexpected issues that crop up.
- Book surveys early: Before a building can be demolished, there are a whole host of surveys that will need to be arranged, including a Refurbishment & Development (R&D) survey, a bat survey, a structural survey and a utilities survey. These surveys are in high demand, so get yours booked as quickly as possible; this also gives you enough time to address any problems that are identified.
- Prepare the site properly: A well-prepared site that has the utilities disconnected and the appropriate safety measures already in place allows demolition contractors to get to work straight away.
- Work with a trusted demolition contractor: The best way to ensure a swift, stress-free demolition is by working with a reliable demolition company, like Hill Demolition. We’ll work quickly and efficiently to complete the work in no time, and we can be on hand to help plan and offer advice on reducing delays.