Demolition: what to consider

In brief

• You need DA (development application) approval first

• Obtain a demolition permit and hire a professional, licensed demolition company

• Recycle as much of the waste as possible

 

The demolition process can be tricky. Here I outline what to consider when demolishing a house.

Knockdown-rebuilds are becoming more common as vacant land becomes scarce. Here we outline the first part of that process – demolition, which is the tearing down of a house so a new one can be built in its place. We further define the term demolition, identify what to consider when demolishing a building and flag the environmental concerns.

What is demolition?

Demolition refers to the tearing down of an entire house or building, or a section of it. Literally, demolition means the complete destruction of all materials. This contrasts with deconstruction, where a building is carefully taken down and valuable parts are recycled for use again. In reality, when demolishing your house it is possible to remove and recycle some of the fittings and building materials. This can be cheaper than destroying everything – and more environmentally friendly.

Planning your demolition

Before you can start the demolition process you will need to attend to the following:

• You must have an approved development application form before you can apply for a demolition license. For more information on development applications, click here. < http://www.homesite.com.au/rebuild-extend/tips-and-guides/development-applications>

• Obtain a demolition permit from your local council. Requirements vary from council to council, so contact yours directly. If you live in a heritage-listed area, a request to demolish your home will probably be refused.

• Contract a licensed demolition company. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Get the company to provide references.

• Get an asbestos check. If your house was built before the 1980s it's more than likely asbestos was used. We recommend hiring professional asbestos removalists.

• Contact electricity, water and gas suppliers. The electricity and water will need to be disconnected and the gas meter will need to be physically removed from the premises. It's illegal to do any of this yourself. You must contact the relevant utilities companies to carry out the work.

• Removal of the demolition material must be organized before work commences. Contact your local council for waste depot details and recycling options.

What to expect?

• Wrecking balls are generally only used for buildings higher than five storeys.

• Expect the use of cranes, tractors, ropes, pulleys, explosives and excavators.

• The demolition of a house or building can take up to a week. Don't forget you have to remove all the waste before you can rebuild.

Environmental considerations

Environmentally speaking, demolition should be your last resort. It produces a hefty amount of waste that ends up as landfill. To reduce the environmental impact, hire a demolition professional who will:

• Remove all fittings to either be reused in your new home or sold to others to use.

• Remove as much building material as possible to sell as second-hand material.

This is good environmental practice and will save you money, given that waste removal and disposal is expensive.