There is no fixed price for demolition, because no two buildings or sites are the same. Taking down a garage in a back garden is a very different job from demolishing a two-storey house on a tight street or clearing a commercial site.
What we can do is explain what drives the cost, so you know what to expect, can compare quotes properly and can get an accurate price for your own project.
What affects the cost of demolition
Size and construction
The bigger the building, the more time, machinery and waste handling it needs. What it is built from matters too. Brick, block, timber, steel and concrete all come down differently and go to different places for recycling.
Access to the site
A building with open access for an excavator and lorries is quicker to demolish than one behind a house, down a narrow lane or close to neighbouring buildings. Tight access can mean smaller machines, more work by hand and more trips to take waste away.
Full or partial demolition
Taking down part of a building, such as an extension, often takes more care than removing the whole thing. The structure that stays has to be protected, and the work is planned around it. Read more in our partial demolition guide.
Asbestos and other hazardous materials
Before a building is demolished it needs a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey. If the survey finds asbestos, it has to be removed safely before demolition starts, and some asbestos work can only be done by a contractor licensed by the HSE. This is one of the biggest variables in any demolition price, so it is worth knowing early.
Waste, recycling and salvage
Waste is sorted and over 90% of materials are recovered and reused on our jobs. Some buildings also contain materials worth reclaiming, such as bricks, timber, slate, clay peg tiles and architectural features. Not every building does, but when valuable items are identified, that value is reflected in our quote.
Notices and paperwork
Most demolitions need a Section 80 notice sent to the local council at least six weeks before work starts. In Dorset that is either Dorset Council or BCP Council, depending on where the site is. Some buildings also need planning permission, prior approval or listed building consent. We prepare and submit the Section 80 notice, method statement and waste management plan as part of the job.
What happens after demolition
If you want the site fully cleared, the price may include breaking out concrete bases and hardstanding, removing vegetation and levelling the ground ready for building. See our site clearance page for what that covers.
How to get an accurate quote
The only way to get a reliable price is for someone to see the site. We offer a free site survey, where we look at the building, the access and the neighbouring properties and talk through what you need. You then get a clear written quote.
To speed things up, it helps to send us:
- the address and a few photos of the building and the access to it
- any drawings or plans you already have
- an asbestos survey, if one has been done
- what you want the site to look like afterwards
How to compare demolition quotes
Two quotes can look very different simply because they cover different things. Before you compare prices, check that each one includes:
- removal of all waste, and how much of it will be recycled
- the Section 80 notice and any other paperwork
- risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
- public liability insurance
- removal of bases and hardstanding, if you need them gone
- any credit for materials worth reclaiming
A cheaper quote that leaves out waste removal or paperwork can easily end up costing more.
Typical jobs we price
We work across Dorset, from small domestic jobs to commercial and industrial sites. These pages explain what is involved in some of the most common:
Get a free quote
If you are planning a demolition anywhere in Dorset, get in touch or call us on 01202 287635 to book a free site survey. We will give you a clear written quote so you know exactly what is included.