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Was really quick in attending to this job and was done ease. Very polite and professional.

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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.

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This page has everything you’ll need to know about finding and hiring a local demolition contractors.

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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?

I am a local tradesman with 25 years of experience in the building and plastering industry. I have a great, reliable team behind me who are not only friendly and professional but will also finish every job to the highest standard possible.

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Reviewed by Justin on 10/9/2017

Really happy with the work carried out. Any issues I raised were dealt with and any snagging I needed addressing were resolved. Would recommend Luke and his company and use him again.

Five Star Construction is a family run business with the aim to provide affordable handyman and development works. We are full insured and all our operatives are fully trained for the work we carry out. Our friendly team are awaiting your call

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Reviewed by Thomas on 30/4/2024

Good value Very profession Quick and tidy workman Would definitely use them again. Regards Thomas

We are a Registered business on company housing. Providing a professional services for Interior&Exterior Property Maintenance

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Reviewed by Patricia on 30/10/2024

Zain was a very pleasant young man he did a smashing job would hire him again

SWIFT English family business over 30 years experience . Fully licensed..with a good reputation. . we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction we guarantee a good job for a fair price

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Reviewed by Richard on 20/12/2024

Fantastic garden clearance job. Easy to arrange with John. Answered phone queries straight away. Provided helpful information and explained clearly what he would do for the price quoted. Competitive price and job done quickly with no fuzz. John and team did a very professional job and I am very satisfied with the result. I would definitely use again if needed and would highly recommend this company.

We can help out with the following: GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Garden clearance: -removal of weeds and all kinds of bramble; -trimming and cutting back hedges; -pruning or complete removal of small and medium trees, any bushes and or ivy; -lawn mowing; -tidy up of flower beds -removal of any other unwanted items from your garden Groundwork and lanscaping; -digging/turnover soil; -ground levelling; -turf&artificial grass installation; -terracing and levelling a sloping garden; -installation of patios, walkways, decks, borders, etc; -building of raised beds and borders/delimitations. -fencing&gate installation; -pergola installation; RUBBISH REMOVAL: -domestic&garden waste; -commercial waste; -builders waste.

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Reviewed by John on 9/4/2024

Roman did an outstanding job. Communication was excellent and the job was competitively priced and expertly done.

Contact us for a quote (Detailed estimates and surveys are chargeable ) https://www.rbbrefurbishmentsltd.co.uk Bathroom refurbishment Kitchen refurbishment Howdens kitchen supply and install service Decommission/ fit outs Removal of partition walls Wall panelling Media walls Design & planning Garage conversions Loft conversions Access to architect Access to structural engineer Steel rsj supply and install Full house refurbs Velux and windows supply and install

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Reviewed by Gerard on 4/2/2024

All good

Here at Hollands contractors we are a family run groundwork and surfacing company, with 10 years experience and expert knowledge. We offer a free site survey and quote. We can help you with all your groundwork and surfacing needs from site clearances and excavations to patios and tarmacing. At Hollands contractors we always strive to go above and beyond our customers expectations, to ensure that they receive the best possible service. Based in Wallington but cover the whole of south London and south east We our insured up to 10 million pounds public liability.

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Reviewed by Adrian on 31/10/2024

Hollands Contractors were great, easy to deal with and acted professionally throughout. Job was probably not a standard one but chatting through with Kieren what was required on initial site visit , the estimate was fair and arrived promptly . Through to start date Kieren also kept in contact which was appreciated. Job was completed within agreed time frame and to the expected standard. Kieren arrived on time each day and worked hard and would happily recommend.

Family owned company with a broad range of professional skills including painting, tiling and many high quality home improvement jobs. We give a conscientious service with competitive prices! .

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Reviewed by Cheryl on 7/10/2016

Roddis an excellent job, going above and beyond my expectations by going on to do a lot more work for me to an excellent standard. Would highly recommend him to anyone.

Full property renovations, extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings & more.

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Reviewed by Dominic on 5/7/2024

Andre and team did a great job with the shed /summerhouse construction, and were very accommodating with the request to build it at short notice ( (within 5 days) and alter the layout of the building to meet our requirements. Also were very friendly and professional. Reasonably priced too. Would recommend.

We always aim to keep our customers happy and we love recommendation we have years of experience and a very friendly respectable team we use the best equipment to ensure our customers get what they desire.

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Reviewed by Anish on 8/5/2016

Great job!! Very pleased with the new fencing. Thanks.

Are you in search of a reliable and experienced building and landscape company? Look no further than LT Construction & Landscape Ltd! With over 20 years of experience, we have established ourselves as a professional, family-run business dedicated to providing top-notch services to our clients. From painting and decorating to new build extensions and garden services, we offer a wide range of construction and landscaping solutions to meet your needs. Whether you are looking to renovate your home or create a stunning outdoor space, we have got you covered. At LT Construction & Landscape Ltd, we take pride in our work and strive to exceed our clients' expectations. Our team of experts is committed to delivering high-quality results, ensuring that every project is completed to the highest standards. What sets us apart from other companies is our dedication to customer satisfaction. We understand that every project is unique, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their vision comes to life. We prioritize open communication, transparency, and integrity in all our interactions, creating a seamless and stress-free experience for our clients. As a token of appreciation for choosing us, we promise to beat any quote you've had. This is our way of saying thank you for trusting us with your project. We are confident in the value we bring to our clients and are committed to providing affordable solutions without compromising on quality. So, if you're in need of reliable and professional construction and landscape services, look no further than LT Construction & Landscape Ltd. Contact us today for a free quote and let us help you bring your vision to life. #construction #landscape #building #renovations #freequote ????????

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Reviewed by Jason on 29/11/2024

hello, I am a responsible person, I have more than 10 years of experience in construction, painting and decorating, flooring, tiling, carpentry, plumbing, and more... I do my best to keep the client happy... contact me if you want a good quote for your work! I Regards:ION

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Reviewed by Karen on 4/12/2024

Ion was helpful and reliable. He is professional, cares about what he does and customer service. As a female, I felt safe with him in my home. I am very pleased with my bathroom.

Profesional service.. To many years to mention in business. And all work carried out 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

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Reviewed by Pamela on 27/10/2024

Excellent job done by GPW, a hardworking family of guys who were most professional and hard working. Very pleased with all!

UTB CONSTRUCTION was established in 2013 and is general contractor offering construction services in terms of full and part renovations houses, extensions, lofts conversion , first fix Carpentry, second fix Carpentry , bathroom fittings, kitchens fittings new built houses and summer homes,Drylining , plastering & Rendering, Decorating, specialist with driveways resin bond, polished concrete, paterne imprinted concrete,tarmac, and block paving.

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Reviewed by Derek on 28/6/2024

Dimitrios did an excellent job working rapidly and efficiently and very willing to do extra work to achieve perfection

At Cymraeg Construction, building work has been at the heart of our family for generations with skills, knowledge and training passed on from one to another, even in the day to day running of the business we can call upon over 40 years experience from my father who is an integral part of the company and has made us what we are today with a passion for quality that shines through on every job we undertake. Covering all of South Wales, you can be sure to rely on us to undertake any project you may have from conception to completion, we can take care of all aspects of the build including planning and skilled tradesmen in all trades, let us deal with all the complications and timings as we project manage the process to ensure everything is done correctly and to schedule all while keeping you informed every step of the way. Please feel free to contact us for a free no obligation estimate on any work you may have. Cymraeg Construction.

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Reviewed by Philip on 4/2/2023

We specialise in all aspects of hard landscaping such as patios, driveways, fencing, garden walls, sheds, lawns and garden clearance. We also complete aspects of general building such as extensions, porches, interior and exterior painting

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Reviewed by Dr Mohamed on 18/12/2024

Was not our first time to deal with David. He was excellent as usual. Very professional, neat and finishes his jobs to a very high standard with very reasonable prices

SFL Construction is a Hertfordshire-based construction company, building a wide range of structures and completing all construction phases from the foundation to the roof and everything in between. Our team brings years of experience and expertise to every project we undertake. We offer a range of construction services, including new builds, house extensions, basement constructions, loft conversions and more. Our goal is to create stunning and functional spaces that exceed our clients’ expectations. At SFL, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, attention to detail, and customer service. We work closely with our clients to ensure that their vision is realised, from the initial consultation to the final handover. Whether you’re looking to extend your home, transform your garden with a new outbuilding, better utilise your existing property, or simply need some assembling flat packs, we are here to help.

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Reviewed by Ann on 19/3/2021

Good communication, work done well and left neat

Hi we cover all aspects off plastering and decorating fully qualified with vast experience both domestic and commercial works we pride ourselves on doing a high standard off work and also clean efficient and. Always leaving customer satisfied we are reliable and always go the extra mile when needed thanks gml finishes

Whiteoaks roofing and building A family run roofing company who takes prides our customer satisfaction. Our reputation speaks for its self.

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Reviewed by Elspeth on 11/6/2024

Excellent service, friendly, professional, helpful. Kane sent three of his crew to cut down some trees. Arrived on time, worked hard, trees felled, tidied before they left. Very polite guys. Would highly recommend.

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