Demolition in Brisbane involves much more than tearing down walls.
It’s a process that involves everything from extensive planning and securing approval to ensuring safety and code compliance.
To ensure a smooth Brisbane demolition process, here’s a step-by-step guide for your project.
Pre-Demolition Planning
Any project involving demolition in Brisbane requires planning before getting started. This begins with a site assessment and inspection to determine the scale of the project. They’ll assess the size of the structure that needs demolishing, whether the goal is complete or partial demolition, and the demolition methods to be used.
After understanding the scale of your project, they’ll provide a detailed quote outlining the scope, cost, and estimated timeline for project completion. At this stage, it’s essential that you hire a licensed contractor like Next Gen Demolition to handle the job. They’ll have local expertise and knowledge about demolition regulations.
Council Permits and Compliance
The Brisbane City Council requires you to secure building approval before any kind of demolition work. You’ll also need to complete an asbestos check because sections 452 and 453 of WHS Regulations require the removal of any asbestos before demolition.
Depending on the nature of the demolition project, you may also need planning approval, footpath approval, and plumbing approval from the local council. Keep in mind that securing approval can take time in some cases, leading to potential delays. To ensure a smooth process, it helps to work with a specialist who can navigate the approval process quickly and handle it on your behalf.
Site Preparation and Service Disconnection
The next step on the demolition checklist is to prepare the site, which includes disconnecting utilities like water, gas, and electricity. Local demolition specialists coordinate with utility providers to deliver a seamless process.
In case of a residential demolition in Brisbane, you’ll have to inform neighbours about the upcoming demolition to minimise inconvenience. If your building was constructed before the 1980s, it likely contains asbestos. If it does, this is also the stage to complete asbestos removal. Then, non-structural elements – such as internal fittings, paving, driveways, sheds, and external structures – are cleared.
The Demolition Phase
Depending on the type of demolition required – such as selective or complete demolition – the team uses manual or mechanical methods.
Manual demolition, which is preferred in narrow or localised spaces, uses hand tools like jackhammers and sledgehammers.
Mechanical demolition, on the other hand, uses heavy machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, and cranes. These machines tear down the building and clear away the debris, while wrecking balls are used for high-level demolition projects.
During demolition, professionals implement strategies to manage noise, dust, and debris to protect surrounding properties and comply with local regulations.
Common practices include erecting noise barriers, using quieter machinery, regularly watering down debris and work areas to minimise airborne dust, and scheduling noisy activities during daytime hours when they are less disruptive to neighbours.
Waste Removal, Recycling & Site Clean-up
After demolition, debris is sorted and recycled or disposed of, depending on the material. For example, metal, wood, and concrete is recycled when possible. Non-recyclable materials are transported to designated disposal sites, leaving the site clean for the next phase of your building. If needed, you can consult experts for additional services like clearing away trees and removing the slab.
Lastly, the team completes a final clearance of the property to make sure that all debris is removed and that the site is ready for the next stage of construction.
Checklist For Demolition in Brisbane
Your chosen demolition experts would have a far more comprehensive checklist for every stage of the process. Here’s a summary of what you can expect:
- Site assessment and inspection
- Council Permits and asbestos check
- Removing or disconnecting gas, water, and electricity
- Removing non-structural elements to make space for machinery
- Notifying neighbours and setting up sound barriers
- Partial or complete demolition
- Debris removal, recycling, and disposal
- Final clearance and optional tree clearing or slab removal
Work With Experienced Specialists For Quality Demolition in Brisbane
The Brisbane demolition process comprises several stages, including planning, securing permits, preparing the site, and professional demolition. After demolishing the structure, the site is cleaned up and experts perform a final clearance to ensure it meets their standards. It’s no doubt that there are several house demolition steps involved, but that’s where it helps to hire a specialist. Experienced professionals like Next Gen Demolition can ensure a seamless process for your project without delays.
We’re licensed to plan and execute house demolition, commercial demolition, and asbestos removal projects in Brisbane. With demolition licences for New South Wales and Queensland, we’re qualified to handle projects of all scales and sizes and can provide a free quote for your project.