Frequently Asked Questions
What Certificates are required for the demolition of my property?
Both CDC & DA demolition approval will need to be acquired prior to any work being commenced.
Approval can be granted through your local council or a private certifier.
Private certifiers are generally considered the preferred option within the demolition industry thanks to their faster turnaround times and proficiency. Our private certifier of choice generally charges around $950.
How can I tell if my property contains asbestos?
Asbestos was not banned in Australia until 2003, therefor if your property was built or renovated prior to this date; it is likely to contain an amount of asbestos.
Houses constructed earlier than 1976 are most likely to contain large amounts of asbestos with approximately 98% of homes built following 1954 relying heavily on asbestos fibre cement and roofing materials.
Home Demolitions adheres to the strictest asbestos remediation procedures.
Who can perform demolitions?
Demolition is a complex set of tasks involving structural dismantlement, site clearance, environmental remediation, salvage, recycling and recovery.
As such, many regulations are outlined by government bodies and require specific licensing to deal with different stages of the demolition process.
Home Demolitions is licensed to perform all contractual work over the course of a complete demolition and is comprehensively insured (see licence and permit numbers below)
How long does demolition take?
Once all relevant permits have been obtained and the property vacated, demolition only takes a couple of days – although can be affected by things such as extreme weather conditions and other uncontrollable or unforeseen variables.
Will my neighbours be disturbed?
Depending on the properties location, its proximity to other dwellings and the density of the neighbourhood those around you may hear some machinery during business hours of operation.
Home Demolitions ensure that letters advising of proposed work are issued 14 days prior to demolition and strongly urge any members of the surrounding area with concerns to Contact Home Demolitions for re-assurance.
What will be recycled from my property?
Depending on the construction and condition of your property, many things may be reused or recycled which subsequently subsidises the total cost of your demolition project.
Most commonly bricks and timber are treated and resold as used building materials with windows, doors and even entire kitchens sometimes being salvaged also.
Nobody wants to irritate the neighbours of their new dream home before it’s even built. However, before construction can begin, existing structures must be demolished. Believe it or not, the process of actual demolition is generally only a day or two, which in contrast to the national construction average of six months is incredibly fast.
Home Demolitions takes pride in our honest and straight forward operation policies, we in no way, shape or form will ever attempt to mislead the public and are always happy to discuss your concerns no matter how big all small.
Ensuring community satisfaction is our priority.
Does my neighbours property contain asbestos?
Possibly, many Australian homes utilise asbestos in one form or another “maybe even yours” and if it does, we will inform you in writing long before demolition commences. Although Home Demolitions adheres to the strictest asbestos remediation procedures there are a couple of extra precautionary steps that can be taken such as removing laundry from external clothes lines and temporarily turning off electric roof ventilation devices to minimise any potential for exposure.
Why is my neighbour demolishing their property?
There are many reasons to demolish a property, but for the most part, it is to enable future development and construction on a fresh level block of land. The process of replacing old structures with more advanced, modern materials, designs and technology is often far cheaper than renovating and can potentially represent thousands of dollars in savings each year thanks to significantly reduced heating, cooling and water bills.
What hours will home demolitions be operating?
Generally speaking our hours are from eight until four, if you have any particular requests in accordance with young children, work schedules or medical conditions, please let us know and we will gladly work with you to find a suitable solution for all parties.
Can I have a look at what is going on?
A demolition site is required by law to be fenced to prevent danger to staff and the public, all worksites contain inherent dangers and personal protective equipment must be worn in accordance with state regulations. You are more than welcome to observe from the street provided it does not block access for others.
Can I have a particular item from the house before it is demolished?
Contractually speaking, from the instance that a property is fenced off for demolition, the salvage rights to any and all materials found upon the site belong to Home Demolitions (unless Home Demolitions is informed of a prior arrangement with the owner) if there is something of particular interest to you – feel free to give us a call on 1300 045 355 and ask!
Common misconceptions
- Demolition contractors destroy historic buildings that should be saved:Demolition contractors help preservationists save & restore historical buildings by removing harmful substances & making way for energy efficiency upgrades
- Demolition is bad for the environment:Home Demolitions is leading the way in environmental conservation. We like many others in the industry removes toxins and hazardous material from by gone eras from old buildings.
- Demolition overcrowds landfills with debris:Home Demolitions has been salvaging building materials long before the modern green movement was popular. Over 970,000 tonnes of metals, wood and cement is recycled in Australia each year thanks to the demolition industry.
- Demolition is an unsophisticated business:Home Demolitions is a large group of professionals all of which are highly trained experts. A safe & successful demolition project requires specialised equipment, techniques, & work practices.
- Demolition practices never change:Safe and efficient demolition techniques are constantly being revised and updated as technology improves and changes. Home Demolitions is at the forefront of demolition advancement in an effort to have the smallest impact on our environment as possible.
- Demolition is expensive:Demolition in Australia generally costs less than 3% of the cost of the buildings construction.
