House and site demolition, Sydney
Demolition covers full or partial removal of a house, garage, granny flat or other structure, most commonly ahead of a knockdown-rebuild, but also for removing a single unsafe structure or preparing a site for sale.
Every demolition in NSW involves checks most people don't think about until it's their job: asbestos identification, service disconnections for power, gas, water and telecommunications, and, depending on the council and the scale of works, formal approval before the first excavator arrives.
Typical job value: $10,000 – $50,000+
We connect you with licensed local specialists; we don't carry out the work ourselves.
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What's involved
Pre-demolition inspection
Includes an asbestos survey, since many Sydney homes built before the mid-1980s contain asbestos sheeting that must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist before demolition proceeds.
Approvals and disconnections
Council approval (a Development Application or Complying Development Certificate, depending on scope), and disconnection of power, gas, water and telecommunications are arranged before work starts.
Demolition
The structure is demolished using excavators or, on tight sites, more selective methods, with dust suppression and safety barriers in place.
Site clearing and waste disposal
Demolished material is sorted, with recyclable materials such as concrete, metal and timber separated from general waste and taken to licensed facilities.
What affects the price
- Size and number of storeys of the structure
- Whether asbestos is present and needs licensed removal first
- Site access for machinery
- Proximity to neighbouring structures and boundaries
- Whether the site needs full clearing and disposal or just the structure removed
Licensing and permits
Demolition work in NSW should be carried out by a licensed demolition contractor, and any asbestos found must be removed by a SafeWork NSW licensed asbestos removalist before general demolition begins: Class A licensed removalists can remove any amount of asbestos, Class B removalists are limited to non-friable (bonded) asbestos over 10m². Council approval is required for most demolition work; the pathway (DA or CDC) depends on the property, its heritage status and the scale of works.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to demolish a house?
In almost all cases, yes: either a Development Application or a Complying Development Certificate, depending on the property and council. Your demolition contractor or a certifier can confirm which pathway applies and lodge it for you.
What if the house has asbestos?
Most Sydney homes built before 1987 contain some asbestos, commonly in eaves, fibro cladding or old vinyl flooring. It must be identified and removed by a licensed asbestos removalist before demolition proceeds; this is a legal requirement, not an optional extra.
How long does demolition take?
A single dwelling, once approvals and asbestos removal are complete, is often demolished within a few days. The approvals and asbestos survey beforehand usually take longer than the physical demolition itself.
What happens to the demolished materials?
Reputable demolition contractors separate recyclable materials (concrete, brick, metal, timber), for recycling, with the remainder taken to a licensed waste facility. Ask for a waste disposal summary if you need it for council records.
Can I demolish just part of a house?
Yes, partial demolition, such as removing a rear extension while keeping the original house, is common and follows the same approval and asbestos-check process, scoped to the affected section.
Do I need to disconnect services myself?
No, your demolition contractor coordinates disconnection of power, gas, water and telecommunications with the relevant utilities as part of the job.
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