Sometimes, demolition is unavoidable. This is often the case if the land is being completely redeveloped or if the structure has been deemed unstable and unsafe. But, some people might be deterred from this option, automatically assuming that demolition is a costly and time-consuming process.
However, demolition is often a drop in the ocean when compared to the expense of extensive renovations. So much does demolition cost? The team at Hill Demolition is here to explain.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give a set figure for how much a demolition will cost as each project is unique. This means the price can differ depending on several factors.
However, Checkatrade has estimated that the price can vary anywhere between £4,750 and £27,500. As you can see from this wide range, prices can vary dramatically, so it’s important to get a custom quote tailored to your specific circumstances.
Factors that affect the price of demolition
- Size: The larger the building you’re demolishing, the higher the price as more labour, equipment and time are required to get the job done.
- Type of building: Typically, residential demolitions are much more straightforward to complete than large commercial sites as they are simpler structures usually made from standard construction materials, like bricks, drywall and wood. By contrast, commercial structures are built to be much more robust and often involve reinforced concrete and steel framework, which takes more time and specialised equipment to dismantle.
- Location: Is the building located in an urban area, or is it somewhere much more remote? If the structure in question is in a densely populated area, then your project may be subject to additional restrictions, such as limited working hours, noise reduction measures and traffic management plans. There’s also access to consider, as if the site is in a city centre location, it’ll be more time-consuming, not to mention expensive, to manoeuvre the heavy demolition equipment to and from the site.
- Permits and regulations: Most demolitions will require permission from your local planning authority before work can begin through a Section 80 Demolition Notice. This incurs an application fee that varies depending on your local council. Furthermore, if the structure is a listed building or is in a conservation area, you’ll have to jump through a lot of hoops, as you’ll need to commission a number of specialist – and highly expensive – reports that detail the impact this demolition will have.
- Presence of asbestos: Despite it being banned since 1999, it’s estimated that 1.5 million properties across the UK still have asbestos present, which makes demolition much more complex. Before work begins, you’ll have to pay for an asbestos survey to locate and identify all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These will then need to be removed by a licensed contractor who can safely contain, handle, remove and dispose of this hazardous waste, all of which comes at a cost.
- Method of demolition: Contrary to popular belief, demolition isn’t just destroying a building with a wrecking ball; there are several different methods available, some of which are more expensive than others. For example, soft strip demolition is incredibly time-consuming and labour-intensive as it’s much more precise, and all the non-structural elements must be carefully dismantled, which can extend the project timeline.