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Was really quick in attending to this job and was done ease. Very polite and professional.
Karen
Job booked in quickly and carried out professionally for a fair price. Would recommend.
Antonio
Quick, professional and friendly. The team gave me the impression that they are happy to do extra to get the best results. Carl and the team did exactly what they said they would do in the quote in the agreed time.
Daniel
Deciding to tear down a structure is a major milestone, but it requires strict adherence to health, safety, and legal regulations. Whether you are clearing a single-story garage, removing a unsafe outbuilding, or knocking down a house to start a self-build, the process must be handled safely. Rated People connects you with trusted, demolition specialists. Post your job for free today.
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What can a demolition specialist help with?
Demolition involves far more than just knocking down walls. A professional demolition contractor brings technical expertise, risk assessment protocols, and heavy machinery to prepare your site safely and legally:
- Site surveying and permits: Advising on necessary permissions, submitting Section 80 demolition notices to local authorities, and ensuring compliance with all UK health and safety legislation.
- Structural demolition: Safely tearing down residential houses, commercial buildings, extensions, or garages using controlled, systematic methods that protect surrounding structures.
- Party wall and adjoining support: Implementing temporary structural shoring and bracing when clearing terraced or semi-detached buildings to guarantee neighboring properties remain secure.
- Hazardous material and waste management: Identifying hidden hazards like asbestos, safely removing them under strict legal conditions, and organising heavy muck-away or concrete crushing services.
How much does demolition cost?
The cost of clearing a structure depends heavily on the footprint size, materials used, and ease of site access. As a baseline benchmark, structural demolition typically starts around £60 to £80 per square metre, but final quotes are shaped by several essential variables:
- Property type: Total costs for a standard detached house generally range from £6,000 to £12,000+. Tearing down semi-detached or terraced properties incurs extra costs because adjoining walls require complex structural support work afterwards.
- Access and location: If heavy machinery like excavators cannot easily enter the site, contractors must rely on smaller equipment or manual labour, increasing the project timeline and cost.
- Waste disposal: Sorting, hauling, and paying landfill taxes for tons of brick and timber represents a major portion of your quote. If hazardous materials like asbestos are discovered, specialised disposal fees will apply.
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Renovating vs. demolition: Which is right for your project?
If you are weighing up whether to flatten an existing property or work with its current shell, keeping these key financial and structural factors in mind can help guide your decision:
- The VAT Advantage: Building a brand-new home from scratch is subject to a 0% VAT rate in the UK. Conversely, renovating or extending an existing structure is hit with standard VAT. This tax break often makes a complete rebuild cheaper than a complex renovation.
- Absolute design control: Starting from the foundations up gives you total architectural freedom and full peace of mind. You aren't forcing a modern layout into old dimensions or guessing at the structural integrity of decades-old walls.
- Preserving character: Renovation allows you to save beautiful period features or heritage walls that give a home unique character. If significant portions of the structure are sound, working within the existing footprint can sometimes save on upfront material costs.
- Planning pathways: Modifying an existing home can be simpler from a planning perspective. While knocking a building down doesn't always require full planning permission, you will need "prior approval" from the council, plus full planning permission for the new replacement home.
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Other demolition FAQ's
Do I need planning permission before demolishing a building?
While the physical act of demolition often falls under permitted development, you must secure planning permission for your replacement building before tearing anything down. If you remove the structure first, there is technically no building left to replace, which can significantly weaken your planning case with the local council.
What key things will the local council look at for a replacement plot?
No matter where your plot sits in the UK, local planning policies generally evaluate three main pillars: whether the new design matches the visual character of the immediate neighborhood, the scale and positioning of the new building, and ensuring that light, privacy, or utilities for neighboring properties aren't negatively affected.
What are the top questions to ask a demolition specialist before hiring?
Before signing a contract, protect your project by asking: Can you break down the exact split between structural demolition and waste disposal fees? What advice or paperwork help do you offer regarding council demolition consent? What unforeseen complications or site hazards do you foresee that could impact my final budget?
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Hi, my name is Wojtek. I am from Poland and have been working in the construction industry for 20 years. I graduated from a construction school in Poland. I’ve been living in England for 11 years, where I’ve gained extensive knowledge of building materials, principles, and types of construction work. I mainly focus on general construction, but my specialty is complete bathroom renovations — from total demolition to final finishing (plastering, drywall installation, floor screeding, plumbing, minor electrical work, ceramic and porcelain tiling, bathroom installations, painting). I am also a professional in insulating external walls with polystyrene, mesh, and various types of plaster (mineral, acrylic, silicate). Similar to bathroom renovations, I am an expert in insulation as well. I have extensive experience in Poland and am gaining more practice in England, though this type of work is still less common here. So far, I have completed several full home renovations. As mentioned, I have no issues with painting (using a paint sprayer), plastering, radiator replacements or repositioning, minor electrical work (the only thing I don't do is laying carpets). Depending on the type and scale of the job, I can adjust the number of people needed to complete the project if necessary. Thanks to my vast experience, I can assist with any type of renovation and ensure it meets high standards. I guarantee full dedication to every project.
Established 1981 - Chimneys pointed, rendered and rebuilt. Failing lead-work sorted out. Also internal damp damage repaired.
Bruce visited to look at the job, gave his view on what was required and provided a quote quickly. He arranged scaffolding, re-rendered chimney and added slate top, removed and replaced the render on the gable wall, including filling a hole that was uncovered in the flue and adding bell cast. No fuss, good communication and great work all at a reasonable price.
builder from Ukraine living in UK
He was very good at the job and finished on time etc. The one thing I found slightly annoying was the urgency to finish the job and get the money, ie insisting that he paints the fence even though it was forecast to almost certainly rain that day and receiving multiple calls from his wife etc to our pressure. Overall though I am pleased with the end result and will use him again if given a chance
We can undertake any works related to domestic properties, rear extensions, underpinning, foundations, scaffolding, internal structural alterations, painting, tiling, partitions.
Really good job
Well established family run building company based in London,we have built a strong relationships with well known building societies across the London due to our quality and trustworthy service High quality levels of work in major building projects,we specialise in planning and design,project management and general building services
we are experience refurbishment contractors. we are reputable and reliable builders, established since 2010 and over 20years experience in building trade. using our skill and materials, we are eager to ensure that our customers are completely satisfied.
Best tradesperson I've ever hired. Does the job right and really pays attention to the details. Can't recommend highly enough.
We offer property care and maintenance to a high standard.Reliable affordable and high quality services. We can offer you full bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation , floor fitting, plasterboard partitions , painting , carpentry works , plumbing works , electric works , etc Web site : gmppropertyservices.co.uk Instagram page : gmp_property_services
We're absolutely thrilled with our toilet renovation by Giannis and his team! Giannis made the process seamless - supplied quality materials and oversaw the work. Along with Bilal, they fixed a recurring leak by installing new pipes and installed new tiles, toilet, and vanity unit. They are professional, trustworthy, and they delivered an outstanding result as promised. Huge thanks to Giannis for giving us a stylish toilet and Bilal for his skilled installation - will definitely hire GMP again!
We are local builders who are committed to producing work of the highest standard. Our two directors Gareth and Daniel both hold the highest qualifications in their respective industries. We cover a wide range of building work as listed on our page.
Contact was quick and easy and job was done within a few days completed and very happy with the work and how they carried the work out . Didn't disturb me at all just got on with the job and the job was done professionally. Will definitely used again if I need anything done. Great team
BATEKRIS LTD
Demolition
We are a company with years of experience in many trades. We have done commercial and domestic construction and have learned many trades.
We cover all aspects of building works, property maintenance & facilities management to commercial clients and the general public.
I rate him more highly than I rate your evaluation process! This option did not easily open. His work was timely and well executed, and we also had him replace 13 paddock fencing posts. We would certainly use him again
Sjb building
Demolition
Welcome to Lockhart Roofing & Brickwork Services. I believe in high quality workmanship, provided at very competitive prices. All quotes are free no-obligation. I am the most highest rated specialist Roofer with Rated People with over 500- 5 star reviews. Myself and Rated people worked very closely together, they recently filmed my expertise in the roofing industry. I personally carry out every job I quote, to sustain the highest quality of workmanship. I am also a specialist approved City and Guilds lead welder. I give a 5 year guarantee on every job after completion. Please click on my Lockhart Roofing and Brickwork Services main website to view my film. Stay safe and best wishes. Joe Lockhart.
Joe of Lockhart Roofing & Brickwork was very reliable, turning up when advised and completing not only the job originally requested but he also completely re-pointed my garden paving slabs at a very fair price. He also identified a bigger problem with my house which could have been very dangerous and is coming back to fix that for me too. I would totally recommend Joe (Lockhart Roofing)
Over 10 years of experience in London. We take on work of any complexity.
Excellent, very prompt, friendly and helpful. Good job, plus some extra work not in quote. Definitely recommend
AK Construction SW LTD is an experienced, growing building company based in Taunton, Somerset. We cover all aspects of the building, maintenance and decoration trades and we love to leave a finished job that we can be proud of. We're well known for the quality of our work and attention to detail. As such, our services are sought after from small jobs to larger projects like extensions and refurbishments. We also specialise in bespoke English Larch decking and fencing as well as outdoor offices and garden rooms to transform your outdoor areas and add long lasting kerb appeal to your home. We're available to undertake a diverse range of jobs big and small, from skilled and detailed refurbishments, bathroom remodelling, kitchen installations, carpentry, decorating, plumbing, general building and electrical repairs, to complete renovations, improvements and property extensions. Our small and friendly team of skilled tradesmen take pride in our work and strive to finish each job to a high standard and would love to come and quote for your needs. All work fully insured.
Fred and his team did a brilliant job replacing my bathroom floor and shower. Every effort was made to ensure job was completed to the highest standard and we can’t be happier with the finished product. Would highly recommend AK constructions SW for your building needs.
The Only Refurb and Maintenance company you will ever need. Specialist HMO conversion experts. ONE CALL DOES IT ALL! All our engineers are directly employed by us. We carry out all works from minor repairs to a full conversion or refurb. We are also NICEIC trained contractors providing domestic electrical repairs and renewals or full rewires. We are also trained and experienced in converting existing properties to HMO specifications with extensive working knowledge and in-depth understanding of current regulations. We have a good working knowledge of the LACoRs guide to fire safety in domestic rental property and carry out these works for both Social housing clients, estate agents and domestic landlords. All works we carry out are to industry standards and guaranteed. Having over 20 years experience in renovating and maintaining rental property helps us take the worry out of the most stressful part of being a landlord and enables us to ensure landlords do not fall foul of the stringent new HHSRS enforcement regime. We work for both domestic clients and landlords, Local Authorities & Housing Associations. We can attend and carry out a thorough property condition check for landlords to use as a guide for any repairs or renovations they may need. (contact us for more details) We pride ourselves on our service and have a customer focused approach to all and any works. We also believe in transparency from quote to completion ensuring the client is aware of what works are being carried out and more importantly why the work is necessary.
All good
we are company with just over 6yr experience, house and garden maintenance, clearance, painting & decorating, housekeeping etc..!! Fully insured!
Our team has the skills, experience, qualifications, and desire to ensure we deliver a high standard of workmanship and complete customer satisfaction. cescoating_co_uk
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With years of experience in the building industry and a strong track record of positive client feedback, we specialize in delivering high-quality renovation and construction projects. From full kitchen and bathroom renovations to loft and garage conversions, home extensions, and bespoke garden rooms or offices — we have the expertise to bring your vision to life. Our focused, hands-on approach means every project receives our full attention from start to finish. We don’t split our time across multiple jobs — instead, we commit fully to each client to ensure efficiency, clear timelines, and exceptional results. We pride ourselves on our strong work ethic, where customer satisfaction always comes before profit. We offer free consultations and maintain clear, consistent communication throughout every stage of the project. Our goal is simple: to deliver outstanding work and ensure our clients are fully satisfied at every step.
32years of experience in new builds , general, commercial work,building, quick and efficient. Drainage, small roof repairs. My business has been successfully running for 20years.
Quality service. Very impressed with Tony and his team. Tony arranged any extra tradespeople we needed. The work is to a high standard. We were kept updated when people would be coming to the property to work. Really positive experience, especially as it was the first time we have used rated people.
Been working as a joiner for 14 years. Happy to say I can put my hand to most types of joinery from building house or extensions, to fitting kitchens and finishings.
I had a tight schedule for my job to be completed in, and Ryan got it done to a fantastic standard, and made me feel like a valued client at all times. Highly recommended, thank you!
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