How Long Does it Take to Demolish a House in Melbourne?

If you love where you live but your house is no longer suitable for your needs, demolishing it and building the home of your dreams is an option to consider. Knockdown rebuilds in Melbourne are becoming an increasingly popular option, as for many homeowners, this often proves to be more affordable than buying a new home.

But how long does it take to demolish a house in Melbourne? Many of the homeowners we work with are eager to start building their dream home and want the demolition process handled as quickly as possible. Demolitions must be done right, however, to ensure the best foundation for your new build.

Through 50 years of experience, Varcon Group has built a reputation for delivering custom homes of the highest standard. We specialise in bespoke designs and exceptional craftsmanship, catering to a range of residential and commercial properties. Contact us for more information.

How Long Does it Take to Demolish a House?

While the physical act of demolition only takes three to five days at most (weather depending), you need to allow six to eight weeks for the whole process. This is because demolishing a house is actually a complex process that involves careful planning, specialised equipment, and regulations that must be followed.

The process is as follows:

1. Planning and Permits
   Your builder or demolition team will need to obtain permission from your local council to demolish the house and will have to wait for the permits to be approved. This alone can take two to four weeks, with unique zoning and heritage considerations possibly taking even longer.

2. Site Preparation
   Once they’ve received approval, the team will secure the site with temporary fencing and disconnect the utilities (including gas, water, and electricity). This will ensure that the area is safe for the demolition team, as well as neighbours and passersby.

3. Hazards Removal
   If hazardous materials are present on your site, such as asbestos or mould, they will be removed. This may require additional permits and a specialist team to undertake.

4. Demolition
   The house will be demolished using state-of-the-art machinery and techniques. This can take a couple of days, but it may take longer based on the size of the house and the complexity of the project.

5. Debris Removal
   Once the demolition is complete, all resulting debris and waste will be cleared so that the site is ready for construction. We try to recycle materials where possible. This process typically takes about a week.

What Factors Can Affect the Demolition Timeline?

Unfortunately, demolition isn’t as straightforward as rolling up with an excavator and knocking a few walls down. Many different factors can impact how long and easy the process is, some of which are completely out of your and our control.

These factors may include:

• The House
  The size and structural composition of the house can both impact the duration of the demolition process. A smaller-sized property, for example, will generally be faster to knock down than a larger one. Likewise, houses made of sturdy materials (like brick) will be harder to demolish than those made of lighter materials (like timber).

• Site Preparation
  Occasionally, there are hold ups with the council when acquiring permits or with utility companies shutting services off. This could be due to a backlog of applications on their end or to issues with your application. Working with a professional company, like Varcon, can help to mitigate these sorts of delays.

• The Environment
  When hazardous materials, such as asbestos, are present on-site, their removal can take longer than expected. Removing asbestos, in particular, is a meticulous process that must be conducted according to strict regulations by licensed contractors. Inclement weather conditions can also delay on-site works.

• Site Access
  As demolition is carried out using heavy machinery, getting it onto the site can sometimes pose issues. Limited entry points, narrow passages, and obstacles (such as trees or other structures) can slow progress. Congested urban areas can also pose challenges with unloading, loading, and manoeuvring equipment.

How Much Does it Cost to Demolish a House?

The cost of demolishing a house can vary greatly between projects based on many factors, such as the size of the structure, site accessibility, and the presence of hazardous materials. You could be looking at anywhere between $12,000 and $40,000.

To get an idea of the cost to demolish your specific house, it is best to contact a few demolition companies for quotes. Demolition companies produce quotes that can sometimes be confusing and unclear to those without knowledge of the industry. Varcon can assist and relieve any uncertainty.

Choose a Partner You Trust for Home Demolition in Melbourne

Using an experienced demolition builder, like the team at Varcon Group, can save you a lot of stress and money. Whether you’re building your dream home, an investment property, or a multi-unit development, you need a team you can trust to handle everything for you.

Varcon currently have a promotion available, we are offering free demolition as part of a knockdown rebuild project.

Be sure to get in touch if you’d like to take advantage of our demolition included offer.

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