Cost to Demolish a House

Thinking about how much it'll cost to demolish a house in the UK?

Demolishing a house is a big job, but it doesn't have to be daunting.

With the right contractors and a clear budget, it's a straightforward process. Understanding the costs upfront is the best way to avoid surprises and plan your project effectively.

In this guide, we'll break down UK house demolition costs in 2025, explain the different demolition methods, cover hidden costs to watch out for, and guide you through regulations and planning.

While this guide gives a solid overview, prices vary a lot by location and site conditions. For the most accurate figure, it's always best to use MyJobQuote to find demolition specialists near you. It's fast and free, with no pressure to go ahead.

Find our full house demolition guide below.

How Much Does it Cost to Demolish a House?

Let's waste no time:

What is the demolition cost for a house in 2025?

To demolish a small house of around 80 to 120 square metres, it will likely cost between £6,500 to £10,000.

The demolition of a medium-sized house of around 150 to 200 square metres will usually cost roughly £11,000 to £15,000.

If your house is larger, around 200 to 250 square metres, the demolition costs may be between £16,000 to £20,000.

This works out to approximately £55 to £100 per square metre for most full demolitions.

However...

Demolition work doesn’t always involve removing the entire house. Sometimes you might just want to remove a specific part of the house to make room for something like a conversion or an extension.

Demolition Prices

Below is a table showing the average demolition of a house cost:

Note: These prices are for full demolitions, which assume good access. You should expect quotes to be higher if the property is in a built-up area where access might be problematic.

This is why most people tend to get quotes early — as it helps them map out the total cost of the project they're planning.

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Labour Costs and Timescales

Labour makes up a large part of demolition costs, perhaps between 40 to 60% of the total price.

On average, demolition contractors charge £100 to £200 per person per day with most jobs requiring a team of 3 to 5 workers plus machinery.

Most house demolitions take between 4 and 8 working days. However, the exact timeframe depends on the location of the property, its size and whether any extra work such as asbestos removal or recycling is required.

As the work generally takes around four to eight days on average, you can expect the total labour costs to fall anywhere between £1,200 and £8,000 .

In some cases, work might take longer to complete. Restricted access such as narrow roads or tight plots, hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead paint, a need for careful deconstruction or adverse weather conditions can prolong the demolition process.

House demolition costs are also often higher than the average if you live in London. This is because labour costs are generally more in comparison to those in the North or other areas of the UK.

Cost Factors of House Demolition

The cost of demolishing a house isn't one size fits all. While the average UK price is around £12,000, your quote could be much higher or lower depending on the following factors:

Size of the Property

The larger the property, the more labour, machinery time and waste removal is required. Most demolitions are priced by square metre which is typically between £55 and £100.

Location of the House

The property's location can also affect the job's overall cost. If you live in London and the South East, as mentioned, you can expect overall costs to be 15 to 30% higher than the average.

Site Access

The demolition site should be easy to access for diggers, skips and lorries which will keep costs down. Tight urban plots, narrow roads or restrictions on working hours can increase labour and machinery time.

Building Materials

Brick or concrete are heavier and slower to demolish, and are more costly to dispose of. Timber framed houses are usually cheaper and quicker to take down. And mixed materials combining stone, steel and asbestos are more complex requiring specialist handling.

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Hidden and Additional House Demolition Costs

Beyond the main demolition price, there are several extra costs that can add thousands to your project if not factored in from the start.

Asbestos Survey and Removal

If your property was built before 2000, an asbestos survey is legally required before demolition. The cost of this survey will be between £200 and £600. If asbestos is found, the removal cost can range from £2,000 to £5,000.

Utility Disconnection Fees

All mains services such as gas, electricity, water and drainage must be safely disconnected before demolition starts. The costs for this range from £500 to £1,500 per utility.

Site Clearance and Waste Disposal

After demolition, the site must be cleared of debris. Skip hire or grab lorry hire can be cost between £200 and £800 per load. Alternatively, a full clearance service can cost around £1,000 but can reach as much as £3,000.

Garden Waste Removal

If you are removing some parts of your garden along with your house demolition, then you may need to think about garden waste removal.

If you do need to remove any of your garden waste, you can expect this to cost around £50 - £300. The average cost for this will depend on the amount of waste that needs to be removed and the location of your property.

Skip Hire

In some cases, you may need to hire a skip to get rid of all of the waste from the demolition of your house.

You can expect to pay around £200 to £800 to hire a skip for this type of work. The price for the skip will depend on the size of the skip needed and the length of time that you need the hire.

What's Involved in House Demolition?

If you are planning a demolition project, you might be wondering what the process is. Below, we will go over the steps involved with demolishing a house.

• Surveys and Permissions. Asbestos survey and planning permission or demolition notice depending on local authority rules.
• Utility Disconnection. All the services will be cut off to the property, including the electricity, water, gas and anything else that runs into the house.
• Site Preparation. Contractors will create a boundary with fencing and signage for safety. Removal of sheds, extensions or large vegetation and trees may be required depending on the project.
• Demolition Method. Mechanical demolition is the most common using excavators, bulldozers and specialist machinery. Manual demolition is rare and used where space is tight, or for terraced or attached properties. Deconstruction for salvage is where materials such as tile, timber, brick and metals are carefully removed for recycling or reuse.
• Waste Removal. Debris is loaded into skips or grab lorries. Recyclable materials are separated where possible.
• Site Clearance and Groundworks. The site is levelled and cleared, ready for redevelopment, landscaping or rebuilding.

Can I Do a House Demolition Myself?

In general, it is not recommended that you try demolishing a house yourself.

House demolition is an extremely complicated and large job, and parts of it can be very difficult.

It can be very unsafe if it’s not completed correctly. With this in mind, you should avoid trying to do this job as a DIY project.

To ensure the safety of yourself and others, always work with an experienced house demolition specialist.

They will ensure the work is undertaken to a high standard and completed correctly.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for House Demolition

Before any demolition work can begin, you'll need to comply with UK planning laws and building regulations.

In most cases, full planning permission is not required to demolish a house. However, you must apply for a Section 80 Demolition Notice from your local authority under the Building Act 1984.

This notifies the council of your intention to demolish and allows them to set conditions.

Exceptions where planning permission is required include; a listed property, the house is in a conservation area, or the demolition would have a significant impact on the environment or neighbouring properties.

House Demolition Building Regulations

Although planning permission isn't needed in the majority of cases, there are several building regulations you must comply with for a house demolition:

• Health and Safety Compliance - Ensure the site is secure and risks are managed.
• Asbestos Survey - Legally required if the property was built before 2000.
• Utility Disconnection - All mains services (gas, electricity, water and drainage) must be capped off by approved providers.
• Waste Disposal - Demolition waste must be handled and disposed of legally, with records kept for hazardous materials.
• Party Wall Act 1996 - Applies if you're demolishing part of a semi detached or terraced property.
• Environmental Rules - Extra permissions may apply if protected species like bats are present in the building.

If you are at all in doubt about whether or not you’ll need planning permission, it’s important to get in touch with your local authority for advice.

The contractors you choose should have good local knowledge and an understanding of applicable building regulations for the project.

Types of House Demolition

Not all demolitions are the same. The method chosen depends on the property, materials and the goal of the project. Below, we will cover the various types of demolition and what each type involves.

Total Demolition

Complete removal of the entire house, including walls, roof and foundations. Typically used when preparing a site for a new build or major redevelopment. Requires machinery, skilled labour and full waste disposal.

Selective Demolition

Removal of specific parts of the property, while leaving other sections intact. Ideal for renovations, extensions or partial rebuilds. Contractors need to protect the remaining structure and utilities during the process.

Interior Demolition

Removal of internal features such as walls, ceilings, floors or partitions. Perfect for creating open plan living spaces or redesigning interiors without altering the exterior. Often cheaper than full demolition, but still requires planning for dust, debris and safety.

Dismantling or Deconstruction

Careful disassembly of the building to salvage materials for reuse or recycling. Best for environmentally conscious projects or properties with valuable materials such as timber, brick or metal.

Mechanical Demolition

Using heavy machinery such as excavators, hydraulic breakers or skid steers to demolish structures. Most common for small to medium houses with clear site access. Fast and efficient, but needs adequate space and professional operators.

Checklist: Hiring Contractors for House Demolition

You may need to consider some things when hiring contractors to demolish your house for you. Below is a list of some things you should consider when finding the right contractors for the job:

• Is the company licensed and insured to carry out house demolition?
• Do they have experience with your type of property (size, materials, heritage or listed status)?
• Do they follow health and safety regulations and Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012?
• Will they handle utility disconnections?
• Do they comply with local planning rules and building regulations?
• Can they provide a detailed written quote showing labour, machinery, waste removal and any extra costs?
• Does the contractor give any guarantees with the house demolition work?
• How much is the cost to demolish a house? – Ask for a breakdown of each cost so that you know you’re paying a good price for each element of the job
• Do you need to hire any additional contractors for different parts of the work?
• How long does it take to demolish a house?
• Do they offer advice on site preparation or clearance after demolition?
• Can the contractors provide any pictures of previous work?
• Will the contractors take care of all of the waste removals for you?

FAQs

Sources

https://thompsonsofprudhoe.com/news/methods-of-demolition