Trade Estimating
Demolition estimates that price the disposal, not just the knock-down
We price strip-out, structural demolition, disposal and clearance from your drawings so you can quote demolition without losing money on muck away.
In short
A demolition estimate prices soft strip, structural demolition, disconnection of services, disposal and site clearance.
We measure volumes to be removed off your drawings and survey, then apply current UK demolition, plant and disposal rates.
You get an itemised estimate branded as your own, with the muck away and any hazardous waste priced separately.
Who it's for
Demolition contractors, groundworkers clearing a site, and main contractors pricing the demolition before a build.
Demolition is mostly about getting the material off site, not knocking it down. The cost sits in the volume of arisings, the number of loads, the tip charges and the segregation needed to dispose of it legally and cheaply. We measure the volumes to be removed and base the price on disposal, because a job priced on the demolition alone will be wrecked by the muck away the moment the skips start filling.
Soft strip and structural demolition are different jobs. Soft strip is the careful removal of fixtures, fittings, finishes and services before anything structural comes down, and it is labour-heavy. Structural demolition is the plant-led removal of the building itself, which depends on the method, attached or detached, the height, and how close the neighbours and the boundary are. We separate the two so the labour and plant are clear and the programme makes sense.
The legal and safety items are where demolition gets expensive and risky. Asbestos surveys and licensed removal, disconnection of live services, temporary support and protection to retained structures, and dust and noise control all carry real cost and cannot be skipped. We flag the need for an asbestos survey, allow for service disconnections and party wall protection, and note where a structural engineer or a demolition method statement is required before work starts.
What the estimate includes
What drives the cost
The numbers that move the price on a demolition job, and the detail we measure to get them right.
Volume of arisings and disposal
Disposal is the biggest cost in demolition. The volume of material, the number of loads and the tip charges drive the price more than the knock-down itself.
Soft strip labour
Carefully stripping out fixtures, finishes and services before structural works is labour-heavy, especially where materials must be segregated for recycling.
Structure and method
Whether the building is detached or attached, its height and how close the boundary and neighbours are all set the demolition method and the plant needed.
Hazardous materials
Asbestos and other hazardous waste need a survey and licensed removal, which is a significant and non-negotiable cost on older buildings.
Protection and temporary works
Protecting retained structures, party walls and neighbours, plus any temporary support, adds cost where the demolition is part of a larger building.
Access and constraints
Tight urban sites with restricted hours, limited access for plant and skips, and dust and noise controls all slow the work and add cost.
Common pitfalls we help you avoid
- Pricing the demolition and under-allowing the muck away and tip charges.
- Forgetting the asbestos survey and licensed removal on an older building.
- Missing the disconnection of live services before work starts.
- Ignoring the protection needed to a retained or party wall.
- Treating an attached building like a detached one for the method and risk.
How it works
Send us the drawings and survey
Upload your drawings, any asbestos survey and details of the site, and tell us what is being removed and what is retained.
We measure and price
We measure the volumes to be removed, price the strip and structural demolition and apply current UK disposal and plant rates.
You get a branded estimate
We return an itemised estimate under your own name, with the muck away, hazardous waste and protection priced separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a job that needs pricing?
Upload your drawings and we'll come back with a professional, branded estimate, a fixed fee and a turnaround time.
Upload Your Drawings