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Once you’ve taken the decision to demolish an existing structure, there is a process that needs to be followed to ensure the correct permission is granted and all health and safety legislation has been followed. A demolition specialist can help advise on what is (and isn’t) required, as well as timelines, and permissions for what you intend to use the land for after. Once all the paperwork is taken care of, they’ll bring in a team of people to carry out the demolition safely.
Costs for demolition
Costs vary depending on a number of factors, with £60-80 per square metre as a starting point. Demolishing semi-detached or terraced houses will incur additional costs as the adjoining properties will need structural support work after demolition. Ease of access and the volume of waste / hazardous waste disposal required will also affect the costs.
Renovating vs. demolition: some considerations
Considerations for demolition
- Building a brand new home is subject to a zero percent VAT rate. That means demolishing a building and starting from scratch can often be cheaper than building on top of the existing shell of a property (which is subject to VAT). This will typically depend on the amount of work required on what’s left of the existing property.
- Building from the foundations up means you’re in full control. This gives you peace of mind that everything’s been built securely and you’re not relying on the integrity of old walls.
Considerations for renovation
- There may be parts of the existing building that have features you’d like to work into your newly designed home. It’s a popular technique on TV shows like Grand Designs, and can help give your new home real character, while preserving some of the heritage of the existing site.
- Depending on exactly how much of the property could be saved, and your plans for the future size of the property (of which there are likely to be restrictions), it may be more cost effective to work with existing walls and structures.<
- Making alterations to an existing building can be much easier to get planning permission for. While demolition itself doesn’t often need planning permission, the details may need to be agreed with the local council, and a prior approval application will be needed for the new home you plan to build.
Guidance on planning policies
Planning policies will vary depending on where you are in the UK, but generally speaking, planning permission will be granted if you intend to replace an existing structure. It’s important to get planning permission before the demolition of the existing structure – if you remove the existing building, technically there’s nothing to replace, and your case for planning permission becomes weaker.
Whichever option you pursue, and wherever your plot is situated, planning policy is likely to have some of the same considerations such as:
- whether the building of the new property is in keeping with the character of the immediate area
- the size of the new property and/or its location
- services and amenities to neighbouring properties not being adversely affected.
There are the usual caveats here about listed properties or homes in national parks or conservation areas. For further details, check out the Planning Portal website.
Questions to ask a demolition specialist
- What are the pros and cons of demolition specific to your property?
- What advice would they offer regarding planning permission and demolition consent, and to what extent will they help you through this process?
- How long do they expect demolition to take?
- Can they break down the costs between demolition and waste disposal?
- What complications do they foresee and are there any cost implications?
- Will you be able to reuse the existing amenities into the building for your new property?
Andris carpentry joinery and general building were established in 2003. As a fully qualified UK craftsman with over 20 years of experience as a carpenter and joiner, with knowledge in the general building too. We provide competitive prices and honest services.
Excellent service
We are a family business with over 30 years experience in all aspects of civil engineering/ground works, landscaping, driveways,patios,walls,foundations, turfing and fencing. All work done to a high standard at competitive rates.
Great job on knocking down the garage and installing cement base! Friendly and happy to offer advice on other bits of work. Thanks both!
Home and Property Maintenance Patios/Fencing Block Paving Guttering/Fascia Pressure Washing Waste Removal All General Ground Work
Very responsive and super efficient / top class job. Five fencing panels and two trellis sections reposted and replaced within 4 hours
Hi there. I am a local and reliable fencer and landscaper with around 10 years experience. For more pictures please view my profile on Facebook 'Adam's fencing and landscapes'
Adam responded quickly to contact me came out job discussed completed within 2 was fence panels installed /shed roof re felted,worked so hard relentless,definitely recommend if you want a job doing correctly go to him reasonably priced shall contact fir further work if needed thank you Adam..
SKG CONSTRUCTION LTD is a family run company with over 10 years of experience in creating high quality loft conversion, Extensions, complete home renovations. We offer a full package from conception through to completion. Our services range from providing you with your architectural drawings, involving buildings regulations and obtaining the necessary planning permissions through to allocating you a construction team and issuing a full guarantee for the completed project. Our loft conversion, Extension architects offer cutting edge design solution and will work closely with you to maximise the space without compromising on quality. They will guide you through the whole process. Catalin will ensure smooth running of the project, being on hand every step of the way making sure projects is delivered on time and most importantly on budget. We’ve perfected the loft conversion, extensions over the years to keep it as simple as possible from start to finish, making sure your aware every step of the way. We offer a 10 years insurance backed guarantee on all major works carries out by SKG CONSTRUCTION LTD all work is fully insured comes with a 10 years workmanship warranty. we carry out all types of building works Loft, Extensions, home renovations, tiling, flooring, plumbing, painting, rendering, brickworks, plastering, carpentry, roofing, steel structural works
I have money. I asked if you had a PayPal account so I could send you the deposit and you told me to “forget it” and to “find someone else”. You also gave me 1 week to get the work done before you left for 3-4 months. As I said, my feedback was accurate. You seemed nice and willing to help, but the minute I asked for a different more secure way to get you money you told me to forget it. PayPal is tracked, and secure.
I am the proprietor of riverside property services. we are a family run business since 1973.We specialise in all types of specialist removal,building works and all types of roofing works undertaken Licences to take and carry all types of rubbish from household to bi hazard and asbestos. We specialise in all types of demolition works private and commercial. We are a reliable company with offices based in Surrey and covering all areas. No obligation free quotation for all works. Fully insured tradesmen
Riverside Property Services have been fantastic to work with, the communication was great, they worked hard, they're very polite and had an attention to detail that I've not seen in a builder before. Will gladly work with them again.
Excellent, efficient job and area was left incredibly clean and tidy at the end. Very good communication throughout the quoting and arranging process. Highly recommended.
Chambers Construction is a family run a complete building service based in Worcestershire.We specialise in new builds, extensions,conversions and complete refurbishment throughout to suit all your building needs. All our tradesmen are fully qualified and experienced to achieve the highest standards whatever your demands. We pride ourselves on our exceptionally high standard of finish and work with our customers to ensure their build is as stress free and enjoyable as possible.
Excellent job, Sam and his team worked efficiently and tidied up nicely at the end of each day. Would have no problems with recomending Chambers Construction to others.
The C&E Constructions and Groundworks is an engineering contractor operating in the South East. We expertise in drainage construction, damp proofing, sewage treatment works, building construction maintenance and waste management.
excellent work. Job done effectively and on time.
MENDIP VALE- A REPUTATION BUILT ON QUALITY
Mat exceeded my expectations at each stage of this tricky job. Highly recommended.
I'm a small landscaping business that strives on giving the customer what they want. I have over 16 years experience in drainage work, landscaping, paving, driveways and various other ground works. Offering free quotations.
Extreamly friendly and proffesional, outstanding quality of materials and workmanship. I would highly recomend this company and would definatly use them again.
We are a family run business and have been serving Hornsea, Beverley, Hull, Bridlington, Withernsea and surrounding villages with almost three decades of experience. We pride ourselves in the work that we do and customer satisfaction is our main aim.
Marvellous people, job done same day and at a fair price. Certainly would recommendthis company ????
Hi im a time served carpenter and joiner with 30 years of experience i am fully qualified carpenter and joiner experienced in first and second fix as well as shop fitting i am a specialist in kitchen fitting, bespoke staircases but do cover all carpentry and joinery services no job too big or small
Bary Briggs and team were amazing from start to finish of the requedted work. Knowledge was outstanding, work was outstanding. Time keeping amazing. Completed the work on time and within schedule as per tender for the work. I will definitley reccomend for future work at my property and to friends and family.
We are a family run Landacaping & Tree Maintenance company based in the North East of England. We undertake all aspecta of Landacaping & Tree Surgery for Commercial and Domestic customers.
excellent quick response an did really good job
P.K.P CARPENTRY AND PLASTERING We are committed to providing the highest quality workmanship with a first class service on time and budget.
Phil is an excellent tradesman - we had him replace some skirting boards, door frames and picture rails in 2 rooms. He was very reliable, reasonably priced and worked to our budget, his craftsmanship was very good, he was a quick (and tidy) worker, and he gave us plenty of extra advice and tips for other rooms. Additionally, he went out of his way to help us arrange getting some door restored by one of his contacts. Would thoroughly recommend and have saved his details for use in the future! Thanks Phil!
A business owned and run by Scott Sterling. Main focus is Gardening with additional knowledge of many services for all around home improvement. Available for free quotes or information on anything.
Outstanding. Did a fabulous job! Reliable and cost effective too.
CB ONE Solution Ltd is specialise in Waste Removal-Demolition-Strip Out-Builder Waste-Commercial Waste-Garden Waste-Office Waste,Friendly and professional with all the costumers,experience over 5 years
V pleased with work V pleasant man
We're a family run business that provide a professional and reliable service in hard landscaping, driveway, fencing and much more.
Excellent workmanship would thoroughly recommend Ian Wheeler for his value for money and complete understanding of what we required, and nothing was to much trouble in completing the job.
Welcome to Tenstruction, a family run Construction Company with over 10 years of experience in the industry. We offer a wide range of services for the domestic, commercial and agricultural customer.
Quote was within our budget, Tom managed to fit us in very quickly and block paving was laid to a high standard on a full mortar bed. Overall very happy, recommended.
We have over 20 years experience in full garden makeovers, landscaping, block paving, fencing, decking, patios, bricklaying, carpentry and astroturf. We also offer garden designs for FREE!
Billy made a great impression from the start, with a good understanding of the outcome I was looking for, timely communication and a readiness to adapt the work if and when necessary. His team did a great transformation and were careful to make sure that I was happy as he progressed. I’d definitely recommend BGO and will use them again without hesitation.
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